The quarter finals of the 2023 Betfred Challenge Sup take place this weekend with all four games being broadcast with two on the BBC and two on ViaPlay Sports channel. The BBC games are, of course, free to air.

There are two games on Saturday afternoon, the first kicking off at noon as Hull KR take on Salford, while the opening game on Sunday is Wigan versus Warrington at two-thirty.

We look forward at the fixtures and who we think will progress into the semi-finals.

Saturday

Hull KR v. Salford – 12:00 – ViaPlay Sports

The side in seventh spot in Super League are hosting the team in fourth with four league points between the two sides. The sides have net twice in Super League in 2023, Salford winning by 26-16 at the Magic Weekend on the 4th June, and Hull KR winning the game on the 23rd February by 24-10. After a brilliant start to the season, KR have lost their three, while Salford won last four and it is the Red Devils who have been installed as slight favourites by the bookies who have handicapped them by two points. We agree with the bookies and think that Salford will be the victors, but it could be a classic. Salford to progress to the semi-finals.

Hull FC v. St Helens – 14:30 – BBC

Hull FC in ninth are hosting a fifth placed St Helens in the game to be broadcast live on the BBC. Saints are on a massive roll, having won their last seven games, after a disappointing start to the season while FC are improving under the coaching of Tony Smith after a poor start to the season themselves, but have lost two out of their last five games. Saints won the encounter between the two sides on the 17th March by 20-12 in the only meeting of the season. The Bookies have given FC a ten-point start on the coupon and we agree. Saints by a fairly comfortable margin.

Sunday

Wigan Warriors v. Warrington Wolves – 14:30 – BBC

Sunday’s opening game pits sixth placed Wigan Warriors against a Warrington side who are snapping at Catalans heels in second spot. Wigan won when the sides met on the 14th April by 13-6, the game being played at the Halliwell-Jones but Wigan are on a two game losing streak with Warrington winning last time in a close game with the Huddersfield Giants to end their own two game losing streak. The bookies are going with home advantage and have handicapped Wigan by four on the coupon but despite French and Field starting to resurrect the Warriors we think that Warrington will snatch a narrow win and progress into the semi-finals.

York RLFC Knights v. Leigh Leopards – 17:00 – ViaPlay Sports

The easiest game to call is the last of the round as the side currently languishing in eleventh in the championship host the third placed side in Super League with a massive nineteen places between them on the league ladder. The two sides last met in last year’s play-off semi-finals when Leigh destroyed York by 70-10 on their way to beating Batley Bulldogs and moving into Super League. The bookies have given York a thirty-eight point start on the coupon and we think that even that might be a little optimistic.We can´t see past the massively on form Leigh Leopards to progress and extend their eight-game winning run. The Leopards into the semis.

Our prediction for the semi-finalists is; Salford Red Devils, St Helens, Warrington Wolves, Leigh Leopards.