After the excellent Magic Weekend the Super League is back in full force again on Thursday night when the Castleford Tigers host the Wigan Warriors at The Mend-A-Hose Jungle. Both sides are eyeing up the playoffs from their current positions which should give us a really competitive match to begin the latest round of matches.
Castleford Tigers
The Tigers couldn’t really get anything going in the early stages of the campaign as injuries were hurting them and hurting them quite badly but now that key players have returned or are close to doing some they have suddenly picked up their form and are on something of a roll.
The way they have demolished Leeds at Headingley and Warrington at the Magic Weekend in the last two weeks has really caught the eye and all of a sudden the Tigers look a real force to be reckoned with.
Wigan Warriors
Wigan have never truly convinced this season and you get the impression they are a side who while still occasionally winning aren’t dominating as they would like. That said even their wins are drying up. Prior to beating a poor Leeds side at the Magic Weekend they had lost their last two matches and are just in need of a convincing win to restore some momentum.
We know that when the big matches and the important games come along Wigan can stand up and be counted but they don’t have a good recent record at The Jungle with Castleford winning the last two meetings there.
Team news
Castleford will be without half back Ben Roberts who has picked up an injury which has ruled him out for the remainder of the season so they will need to reshuffle in the halves. Nathan Massey is out after a blow to the head he received at the Magic Weekend.
Wigan will be without their captain Sean O’Loughlin for this match and that is a real blow as he is so influential to their chances. Tony Clubb, Liam Farrell and Anthony Gelling have all been left out of the squad with their injuries.
Betting
It isn’t easy to take on Wigan at any time but if there is a time to do it then it is certainly when they are without Sean O’Loughlin. They really lack for leadership without him especially when Michael McIlorum isn’t around and of course the hooker is out for the season.
Castleford have suddenly lit up in recent weeks and look a really confident side who are going from strength to strength. In Luke Gale and Denny Solomona they have two of the form players in the competition right now and Luke Dorn’s return cannot be understated.
You have to say in recent weeks Castleford have looked like a Ferrari whereas Wigan have looked more like a Ford Escort and if that trend continues then the Tigers have every chance here. They’re my pick at odds against.
Tips
Back Castleford to beat Wigan for a 4/10 stake at 2.50 with Betfred
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