Sunday's Betfred Challenge Cup quarter-final line-up brings us two must-watch cup ties from opposite ends of the scale as one all-Super League tie precedes a potential giant-killing.
Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves go head-to-head in a clash of two of rugby league's biggest names, then Betfred Championship side York Knights get a shot at history when they host the high-flying Leigh Leopards. Here is everything you need to know about Sunday's pair of fascinating clashes.
Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves
Where: DW Stadum, Wigan.
When: 2:30pm (BST)
TV: BBC One
Wigan's route: Won 18-14 @ Leeds (Rd 6)
Warrington's route: Won 16-14 @ Catalans (Rd 6)
Wigan's Challenge Cup record: Winners x20 (1924, 1929, 1948, 1951, 1958, 1959, 1965, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2002, 2011, 2013, 2022), Runners-up x13
Warrington's Challenge Cup record: Winners x9 (1905, 1907, 1950, 1954, 1974, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2019), Runners-up x10
Betfred match winner odds (80 minutes): Wigan 4/6, Warrington 13/10, draw 18/1
Handicap betting (Warrington +4.5): Wigan 20/21, Warrington 4/5
Previous meetings:
Round 6, 2019: Warrington Wolves 26, Wigan Warriors 24
Quarter-Final, 2018: Warrington Wolves 23, Wigan Warriors 0
Quarter-Final, 2017: Warrington Wolves 26, Wigan Warriors 27
Quarter-Final, 2011: Warrington Wolves 24, Wigan Warriors 44
Semi-Final, 2009: Warrington Wolves 39, Wigan Warriors 26
Total Challenge Cup meetings: 23 (Wigan 12, Warrington 10, one draw)
One of Wigan's most impressive wins of the season was their 13-6 triumph over the then-league leaders Warrington in April, but the Warriors are proof positive that Betfred Super League form counts for nothing in the Challenge Cup. Their 18-14 win at Leeds in Round 6 came just eight days after they were battering 40-18 at home by a 12-man Rhinos side who have been the very epitome of inconsistency this season, and while Matt Peet's men have suffered two big losses to Catalans Dragons and St Helens in recent weeks they will be looking to step closer to defending their knockout crown on Sunday.
Daryl Powell's Warrington are still trying to win back a few floating voters despite only trailing Super League leaders Catalans on score difference. Since their explosive opening run of eight straight wins they have just three victories in seven league games to their name, and they were narrow and unconvincing successes over rock-bottom Wakefield Trinity, underperforming Huddersfield Giants and a slumping Hull Kingston Rovers. A statement win away to a big rival to book a place in the last four of the Challenge Cup is arguably just what the Wolves need right now.
Sportsman stat: None of the last six Challenge Cup meetings between this pair have been played in Wigan. The last time the Warriors hosted Warrington in the cup was in February 1992, when they won a Round 2 game 14-0 at their old Central Park home.
York Knights v Leigh Leopards
Where: LNER Community Stadium, York.
When: 5pm (BST)
TV: Viaplay Sports 1
York's route: Won 52-12 v West Bowling (Rd 3), Won 24-22 v Sheffield (Rd 4), Won 22-18 v Newcastle (Rd 5), Won 36-12 v London (Rd 6)
Leigh's route: Won 40-12 @ Wakefield (Rd 6)
York's Challenge Cup record: Runners-up x1 (1931)
Leigh's Challenge Cup record: Winners x2 (1921, 1971)
Betfred match winner odds (80 minutes): York 16/1, Leigh 1/40, draw 25/1
Handicap betting (Leigh +43.5): York 10/11, Leigh 5/6
Previous meetings:
Round 1 Replay, 1920/21: York 0, Leigh 3
Round 1, 1920/21: Leigh 0, York 0
Round 2, 1907/08: Leigh 16, York 11
Total Challenge Cup meetings: 15 (Hull FC 4, St Helens 11, no draws)
It's fair to say that a York Knights win would be a bit of an upset. Andrew Henderson's side currently sit in the bottom four of the Betfred Championship on the back of three straight losses since their Challenge Cup Round 6 victory against London Broncos. They also lost all three encounters to Leigh last season by a combined score of 210-18, including a humiliating 100-4 loss at Leigh Sports Village and a 70-10 hammering by the then-Centurions in the promotion semi-final. The Knights will be looking to experienced heads such as Chris Clarkson and Ukuma Ta'ai to keep them in the contest for as long as possible but Danny Kirmond remains sidelined by a foot injury.
Remarkably, Leigh arrive in North Yorkshire looking for a ninth straight win in all competitions on the back of a run which has seen them leap to third spot in the Betfred Super League table after 15 rounds. Adrian Lam's side are the talk of the sport right now, and with good reason, and the Papua New Guinean coach might be hoping that the Leopards can put the game to bed early and quickly turn their focus to next Saturday's first-v-third clash with Catalans Dragons.
Sportsman stat: This season's eight quarter-finals have six home wins in the competition so far between them, with York accounting for four (66.67%) of those.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject to Change
