The closing match on the opening day of the Super League Magic Weekend sees the Wigan Warriors continuing their title defence when they host the Warrington Wolves at the iconic Anfield ground with two more valuable points up for grabs in the competition.
This is a repeat of the Grand Final from last season where Wigan were triumphant so the Wolves will need no motivating to get the better of Adrian Lam’s charges. Warrington could move within four point of leaders St Helens with a win but there is a cavalry waiting to close in on them should they slip up.
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Wigan Warriors
I think most judges expected a bit of an initial decline in the form of Wigan Warriors after the Shaun Wane era came to an end, but I don’t think too many expected them to have delivered the ordinary rugby that they have done for much of the campaign so far. There has been a lack of defensive strength and that hasn’t really been replaced by standout attacking play either.
Sports teams often mirror their situation off the field when they are on it and with Wigan not really looking sure of which direction they are going in away from the field of play, it is no surprise to see an uncertainty on it. In saying that, their loss in Spain last week was their first one in four matches in Super League, although they did lose to Warrington in the cup a couple of weeks ago.
Warrington Wolves
The Warrington Wolves have bounced back from their disappointment at Old Trafford last time with plenty of credit. They have taken control of second spot in the Super League table and have been playing some nice rugby along the way but they will have been disappointed to lose to Hull FC last weekend. There were elements of a hangover from a hard-fought cup tie in that loss but even so they would have been hoping to pick up a win here.
All eyes will be on Warrington in this match and we might find out a little more about their Grand Final credentials. All too often they have wilted in the big matches on the biggest stages. That’s not to say they haven’t won any, they have, but even when they have won Challenge Cups it hasn’t always been convincing. This is a chance for them to show that the big surroundings and the larger than normal games do not faze them.
Team News
Wigan Warriors have made three changes to their squad for this match with Jarrod Sammut one of those coming into their ranks. Oliver Partington and Jake Shorrocks are the other two. Sam Powell, Liam Marshall and Romain Navarette make way.
Warrington Wolves will be without influential full-back Stefan Ratchford for this encounter. He is out injured while Ryan Atkins, Lama Tasi and Ben Westwood have also been omitted. Tom Lineham, Harvey Livett and Jake Mamo are among those coming in.
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Betting
There has been a little bit of upheaval within the Warrington ranks this week with that injury to Stefan Ratchford and I wonder if we’ll see something of a slump from the Wolves as a result here. If not an out and out slump then maybe a struggle at the very least. If there is then the Wigan Warriors could be ready to take advantage of that and so I think the champions are a little bit of value here.
Generally Wigan Warriors rise to the big occasion and for all the struggles they have been having this season, this is a match where they can just give the ball a bit of air and play some fluent rugby. I fancy Wigan will score points in this match so if they can find some of that defensive resolve they have been built on in recent seasons then there is every chance they will come out on top in what should be a tight tussle.
Tips
Back Wigan Warriors to beat Warrington Wolves for a 3/10 stake at 2.80 with Boylesports
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