Betfred Challenge Cup 2025 – Quarter Finals preview and predictions
We’re down to the final eight in the Challenge Cup this weekend, as the competition edges ever closer to Wembley.
Tomorrow, we’ll be previewing Saturday and Sunday’s two blockbuster ties, but in part one of our preview, we’re looking at tonight’s two intriguing matches…
Friday 4th April – Wakefield Trinity vs Leigh Leopards – DIY Kitchens Stadium
Form guide
These two sides only met each other a week ago in Super League, with Trinity running out convincing winners in a 12-42 away win.
That continued Wakefield’s odd form this year in the league though, where they have a 0% home record and a 100% away record. That run extends to the Challenge Cup too, where both of their victories to make it to this stage have come on the road.
As for Leigh, they’ve struggled a little in recent weeks after a flying start to the year. They’re currently three games without a win in Super League, although they’ve won both of their Challenge Cup ties convincingly against lower league opposition.
Team news
Wakefield have made just one change to last week’s squad with Corey Hall coming in for Jake Trueman.
Robbie Mulhern is back for Leigh this week after missing the past month through injury. Josh Charnley and Darnell McIntosh are the only absentees.
My prediction – Wakefield Trinity 24-16 Leigh Leopards
This one’s so tough to call, but on current form I can’t look past Wakefield. Their home form is putting me off backing them, but Leigh haven’t won any of their past three Super League games, including a heavy defeat to Trinity last week, so I’m backing them to carry that momentum into this weekend.
Betting tips
The bookies clearly can’t split these two sides either, as they’re both priced at 10/11 for the win. The anytime try scorer market is where you’ll find better value, and Tom Johnstone looks a great shout at 1/1 for Wakefield. As for Leigh, I’d be backing Tesi Niu at 7/4.
Friday 4th April – Catalans Dragons vs Salford Red Devils – Stade Gilbert Brutus
Form guide
The Dragons have been pretty hit-and-miss in Super League with a 2-4 record so far, although they were very unlucky to lose put by a single point against St Helens last weekend.
In the Challenge Cup they’ve seen off two Championship sides to make it to this stage, with their 46-18 win over Featherstone Rovers in the last round a marked improvement on their 0-14 win at Halifax in round three.
As for Salford, it’s been a season of turmoil so far for them, and there are far bigger issues than on-pitch form. As it is, their record in Super League so far is 1-5, but that barely begins to tell the story, with so many players missing through one reason or another.
They’ve also seen off lower league sides to make it to this stage in the cup. A 10-46 win over Midlands Hurricanes in round three was followed up by a 26-16 win over Bradford Bulls in the last round.
Team news
Tariq Sims replaces Jordan Dezaria for the Dragons, in their only change from last weekend.
I can’t keep up with Salford’s numerous squad changes every week, which have mostly been down to salary cap issues. Jayden Nikorima and Joe Mellor are two players returning from injury this week though, while Kallum Watkins and Chris Atkin are available after refusing to play last week against Wigan, due to late salary payments.
My prediction – Catalans Dragons 18-14 Salford Red Devils
It wouldn’t surprise me to see Salford win this game, as they have a habit of succeeding against the odds and their squad looks much stronger than it did last week. That being said, I can’t see past the Dragons at home, although they haven’t done much to impress me so far this year.
Betting tips
The bookies clearly don’t agree with me as they’ve given Salford a +16 handicap at 10/11, which personally I would be backing. Catalans are just 1/6 for the outright win, which seems far too short to me.
I can’t see Salford being nilled, so the 13/2 that you can get on Deon Cross, Ryan Brierley or Nathan Connell being the first away try scorer looks good, as they’re the three favourites and you’d still make a nice profit despite two of them losing.
