Super League Outright Betting Tips
The 30th season of Super League begins on Thursday as reigning champions Wigan host Leigh Leopards.
Matt Peet's Warriors are the 7/5 favourites to claim a third straight title and take their summer-era tally to eight, joining Leeds and within touching distance of St Helens' record of 10.
The battle for the top six is always fascinating, but there could also be drama at the bottom, with newly-promoted Wakefield's recruitment suggesting that another big name could be destined for the drop.
Tip 1 - Wigan Warriors to win Super League @ 7/5
Wigan are aiming to emulate Saints and Leeds by winning three titles in a row and their 1/8 to beat Leigh is the kind of price punters will need to get used to if looking to back them regularly.
Match Odds: Wigan Warriors vs Leigh Leopards
The Cherry and Whites have kept incomings and outgoings to a minimum, but rather than worrying about stagnation, continuity could be key as Peet's young squad continues to flourish, and they were typically business-like in beating Sheffield Eagles 48-12 in the Challenge Cup.
They have the Super League's best-playmaking axis in Brad O'Neill or Kruise Leeming at hooker, half-backs Harry Smith and Bevan French and fullback Jai Field.
Wigan players have also won the top try scorer award in the last three seasons. French was the man in 2022 with 31, before Abbas Miski topped the charts with 28 the following year. It was Liam Marshall's turn last year with 27.
With class running through the team's spine and Miski and Marshall taking their chances out wide, it is tough to see any other club dethroning the champions.
Tip 2: Value contender - Catalans Dragons to win Super League @ 14/1
Kyle Feldt's arrival at 4/1 St Helens is eye-catching, but coach Paul Wellens has prioritised improving his staff more than his squad, while Warrington (5/1), last year's beaten Grand Finalists Hull KR (6/1) and Leeds Rhinos (9/1) could all be stronger.
However, the wildcard could be 14/1 Catalans Dragons, who have added recognisable names in Tommy Makinson and returning Elliott Whitehead but crucially corrected their half-back issues with the signing of Luke Keary from Sydney Roosters.
Keary will bring experience and organisation to Les Dracs, but maybe not enough to stop Wigan from going back-to-back-to-back.
There were fears that the 2021 and 2023 beaten finalists' best days under Steve McNamara may have gone after missing out on the top six last year, but the relaxed lifestyle in the south of France may bring out the best in their influx of experienced stars.
Despite struggling at times in their 14-0 Challenge Cup win at Halifax, opening Super League against new-look Hull FC looks a gimme if their match price of 1/4 is to be believed and could spark a special season in Perpignan.
Match Odds: Catalans Dragons vs Hull FC
Tip 3 – Long shot - Leigh Leopards to win Super League @ 20/1
Resurgent Wakefield might be popular after an impressive recruitment drive and odds of 66/1 outright could tempt punters if each-way terms become available.
There are more sensible options and even if Leigh lose on the opening night at Wigan, beating their +3.5 handicap will still deserve credit.
As ever, the Leopards' incomings and outgoings have been plentiful, but Adrian Lam's squad looks to have made net gains, and in the coach's son Lachlan, they have the player who made the joint-most assists in last year's Super League.
Leigh made the play-offs in 2023 after returning to the Super League and emulated their fifth-placed finish last season.
A repeat of their 2023 Challenge Cup success could also be something to explore after beating Workington 60-0 on Friday, but Super League is their focus, and they have the quality to push for another semi-final at the least.