2024 Super League semi-finals preview – part two
Two teams will wave goodbye to 2024 this weekend, while two advance to Old Trafford for next week’s Super League Grand Final. Two massive games await, so let’s dive straight in and take a closer look at what to expect from Saturday evening’s blockbuster.
Wigan Warriors vs Leigh Leopards – Saturday 5th October 2024
How they got here
The Warriors come into this match after a weekend off, following their 64-0 win over Salford in round 27. That victory saw them wrap up the League Leaders Shield for a second straight year, which meant a home tie this weekend.
Wigan can boast Super League’s top try scorer in 2024, Liam Marshall, who has crossed the line 27 times. They’ve also had Matt Peet and Junior Nsemba nominated for Coach of the Year and Young Player of the Year, respectively.
As for Leigh, it’s been another stellar season for last year’s Challenge Cup winners. A play-off spot looked unlikely for most of 2024, but 10 wins from their final 12 games of the regular season secured 5th place, and an elimination final at Salford last weekend. In a tight contest, the home side led 2-0 at the break, before the Leopards roared back to win 6-14 and secure a ‘battle of the borough’ match with neighbours Wigan this weekend.
The game will be Leigh’s first-ever Super League semi-final, and although they come into the match as underdogs, they’ve been proving the doubters wrong for so long now, that they can’t be dismissed as total outsiders.
Wigan Warriors team news
The Warriors have named an unchanged squad from the one which saw off Salford two weeks ago. Brad O’Neill and Willie Isa remain long-term absentees, but there are no new injury concerns for the home side.
Leigh Leopards team news
Josh Charnley and Frankie Halton are missing from the Leigh side that saw off Salford last weekend. The pair are both ruled out through concussion, but will be available for the Grand Final, should the Leopards make it.
Meanwhile, Kai O’Donnell has been named in the Leopards’ squad, despite being an injury risk earlier in the week, so he may be touch and go for the matchday 17.
Our prediction – Wigan Warriors 38-10 Leigh Leopards
I can’t see anything other than a home win in this one. Leigh have done brilliantly to get to this stage and whatever happens, they can be proud of their efforts in 2024. However, every team has a ceiling, and I think the Leopards will hit theirs on Saturday.
