2020 Super League Grand Final – Wigan Warriors vs St. Helens Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Wigan Warriors vs St. Helens taking place? Friday 27th November, 2020 – 20:00 (UK)
Where is Wigan Warriors vs St. Helens taking place? KCOM Stadium
What is the expected weather for Wigan Warriors vs St. Helens? 4c, mostly cloudy
What channel is Wigan Warriors vs St. Helens on? Sky Sports Arena
Where can I stream Wigan Warriors vs St. Helens? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via the Sky Go app
Where can I get tickets for Wigan Warriors vs St. Helens? This match will be played behind closed doors
What was the outcome in the last meeting? St. Helens 6-18 Wigan Warriors
THE TEAM NEWS
WIGAN WARRIORS
- Wigan Warriors progressed to the Super League Grand Final as they proved too good for Hull FC and the defensive steel they showed in that game will be crucial to overcoming rivals St. Helens.
- The Warriors fell behind to a Marc Sneyd penalty in last week’s semi-final but they were the only points that Wigan conceded on the night as they ran out 29-2 winners in what was ideal preparation for this contest.
- Ben Flower picked up a hamstring injury last week and he has been ruled out of the final with Amir Bourouh also making way from the 21-man squad as Joe Greenwood is back from a suspension and Sam Powell is also named, although he will need to prove his fitness.
21-man squad: Bibby, Bullock, G. Burgess, J. Burgess, Byrne, Clubb, Farrell, French, Gildart, Greenwood, Hankinson, Hardaker, Hastings, Isa, Leuluai, O’Loughlin, Partington, Powell, Singleton, Smith, Smithies
Unavailable: Liam Marshall, Ethan Havard, Jack Wells, Dom Manfredi, Ben Flower
Questionable: George Burgess, Sam Powell
ST. HELENS
- St. Helens swept aside Catalans Dragons in a ruthless display as they took the opportunities handed to them by the French side with Saints now standing just 80 minutes away from defending their Super League crown.
- Catalans were ill-disciplined in last week’s semi-final as they were twice reduced to 12 men and Saints made them pay as they claimed a 48-2 success thanks to some impressive moves in attack as well as solid defence.
- James Graham left the field with a head knock in last week’s game so he must overcome the necessary protocols to feature in what will be his final game in rugby league and should he do so, he is likely to take his place in an unchanged 17 from the victory against Catalans.
21-man squad: Amor, Batchelor, Bentley, Coote, Dodd, Fages, Grace, Graham, Knowles, Lees, Lomax, Makinson, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Naiqama, Peyroux, Roby, Simm, Smith, Taia, Walmsley, Welsby
Unavailable: Jack Ashworth, Mark Percival
Questionable: James Graham
THE PREDICTION
Wigan Warriors and St. Helens will go head-to-head in their fourth Super League Grand Final meeting as the top two teams from the regular season did what was required in their respective semi-final clashes to set up this mouth-watering contest. Their previous encounter in the showpiece event came in the controversial 2014 final when Ben Flower was sent off inside the opening two minutes and that proved too much for the Warriors to overcome as St. Helens lifted the trophy. The defending champions are looking for their seventh Super League title, but a win for Wigan would see them draw level with Saints on six successes. Both teams come into this on the back of impressive victories in which they did not concede a single try in their respective semi-final clashes and that hints that defences are likely to be on top on what is set to be a bitterly cold night at the KCOM Stadium in Hull for this unique Grand Final. None of the last four finals have produced any more than 30 points and with just 24 scored between the two in a fiercely intense tussle between the two just last month, this should be another low-scoring affair. There is very little to split the two with either capable of coming out on top on the night and in what should be a tight battle, under 34.5 points is the call.
