I don't think looking at the games we played against Leeds earlier in the season show that much to be honest.

In the first game at Leeds we were a totally different team to what we are now. We had Lockers playing at 6 and an unfit Finch coming of the bench. Despite playing awful we still snatched a draw.

In the game at Wigan we had just had our toughest set of games in the season.
We played Catalans away and got beat, some of our players then had a mid-week game against or for the exiles. We then had a very tough game at Castleford which ended in a draw. We then played Saints away in a massive derby game and then hudds at home in the 'big one 3'. We then had the Leeds game after this very tough run of fixtures and still had a mid-week castleford game to bear in mind.

Before this game we have Salford and Bradford at home and then all of our focues can turn to the Challenge cup final. We will have the same focus we did against warrington in the QF and saints in the SF.

Leeds will have to play outstanding to get near us and they will have to play like the Leeds of old to beat us.

I doubt Castleford would have managed to get into the Wigan half seeing as they only managed to trouble Leeds' defence twice.

I want to think that, despite their modest league form, the big game experience of the leeds squad may help them step up, but it didn't last year, so I imagine they're in for a hard time.

They have troubled Wigan more than most this year though.

Why?

even when wigan were on their great run of cup wins in the 80s and 90s they didnt really hammer teams in the final,
so although i think they'll win it will be closer than that

They hammered us in 94 & 95.

They hammered us in 95. In 94 we were in the game for a good part of it, and the scoreline was respectable in the end. Terrible defence for THAT Offiah try - he should never have been allowed to break the line with ease so early in the game.

Being a Wigan fan who was at Wembley in 1998 for the Sheffield game I can honestly tell you that I'm of the opinion Cup Final favourites doesn't mean anything. Wigan were complacent beyond belief that day and Sheffield fully deserved their win. I can't see this Wigan squad being complacent at all.

It was mentioned that Leeds only lost at Wigan 26-24 due to poor refereeing.
Leeds mainly contributed to their own defeat.
Webb back chattted the ref, Wigan scored from the set following the penalty.
Leeds went in at half time with the initiative having just scored.
From the 2nd half kick off they allowed the ball to bounce, Wigan regained possesion and scored. Then scored 3 mins later.
Nothing whatsoever to do with the referee!

As in the semi, Wigan will tire their opposition although Leeds fast passing combinations and pacey backs will trouble Wigan.
Wigan win though!

We are not playing a team near the bottom of the table. Leeds were in the final last year and won the league for the 3 years before our win at Old Trafford.

Our players will be taking this very seriously. I can see us being so up for it we might just get a good early lead like we did against Wire in the cup and Saints in the GF last year.

I'm liking all these predictions that the Loiners will be getting a thrashing on Bank Holiday Saturday. You all forget that this Leeds squad have probably the most big match experience in SL. Just ask Saints.

Totally agree, too many people on here thinking it will be a walk over for Wigan, I can assure you it wont. I do predict a Wigan win but they wont have it their own way, Leeds will make sure of that.

How about asking Wire?

Leeds were not totally written off by Wire. Recent history says you're a fool to write Leeds off in finals

I think this final could well be a 'one sided affair'.

The big wide pitch will be Leeds undoing I feel, and Wigans Sam Tomkins and speedster Josh Charnley could well be Leeds 'waterloo', especially in broken play.

Leeds have too many old players especially in the pack such as Peacock who has been woeful this season. Shame really, as I was always a great fan of Jamie Peacock as a front rower of international class.

Maguire seems too efficient to leave anything to chance, so expect a bit of a hammering for Leeds.

Having said that, I can recall a certain Shefffield Eagles doing a huge upset at Wembley.

True, but you've had a competent coach in recent finals too...