In his weekly Warrington Guardian column, Betfred co-founder Fred Done has his say on the Super League Grand Final...

NO players in the Dream Team and no-one nominated for the Steve Prescott Man of Steel award, yet Warrington have defied the odds to make Saturday’s Betfred Super League Grand Final.

Beating that outstanding Saints team in the semi-final was a tremendous achievement and a credit to coach Steve Price, who has done so much to improve the Wire defence.

Warrington, still bruised after their Challenge Cup final defeat to Catalans, had a burning desire to reach Old Trafford in their efforts to ensure silverware.

It was a night Wire stars, in particular Stefan Ratchford and two-try Tom Lineham, were at their very best while for once, Aussie-bound newly-crowned Man of Steel Ben Barba couldn’t impose his excellence on the game.

Saints made more metres, missed fewer tackles, made more retained kicks, conceded less penalties and less handling errors, yet still went down to the spirited Wolves.

The Wire scored three tries to St Helens one and Price’s superbly-marshalled defence was magnificent, which is an area of the team that has improved most so take a bow coach.

The experts are all saying Warrington will have to raise their game to win on Saturday, but I’m not so sure for against the Saints, it was the best I have seen them play all season.

Warrington are 11/8 to lift the trophy at Betfred with Wigan 4/7 – and the unlikely draw on 80 minutes 25/1.

Josh Charnley is 8/1 to score first and 20/1 to be man of the match.

Ratchford had a smashing game at the Totally Wicked Stadium – and he’s a good bet with us at 9/1 to be man of the match.

Meanwhile, with all that firepower on show, an Anfield stalemate on Sunday was a 14/1 long shot with Betfred.

There were very few chances to break the deadlock – and when City’s gilt-edged chance came, Riyad Mahrez blazed his second half penalty over the bar.

Regular spot-kick taker Sergio Aguero had already been substituted, which left the visitors squabbling amongst themselves about who should take the pen conceded by Liverpool’s star defender Virgil van Dijk for a clear foul on winger Leroy Sane.

With Aguero, with five league goals this season, Sadio Mane with four, Mo Salah (three) plus Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge were all involved in the showdown billed as the game of the season so far, it was a fair bet there would be goals.

A draw was a popular bet amongst the neutrals, with 2-2 well fancied (11/1 at Betfred).

With the international break now upon us, it could not be more exciting with three clubs – City, Liverpool and Chelsea – separated by goal difference at the top.