There is a massive match in the Super League on Saturday afternoon when the Catalans Dragons celebrate their 10th anniversary when they host the Wigan Warriors in a clash which could have big implications at the top of the table.
After Warrington were held on Friday, Catalans have the chance to go above both them and Wigan into second with a win here while Wigan will go level with Hull FC at the top if they can find the win themselves.
Catalans Dragons
Catalans have been enjoying a good season but things have just gone a little quiet over the last couple of weeks. They went to Warrington and lost a tight one a couple of weeks ago and then failed to land much of a blow on Hull FC in the cup last week so they will be delighted to be back on home soil to regroup and get going again.
At their best this season the Dragons have been a point scoring machine and have really carved sides up down the middle and it will be interesting to see if they can get back to doing that here against a side renowned for being strong in the forwards themselves.
Wigan Warriors
The Warriors have found some real form suddenly and in all competitions have won their last six matches. Sam Tomkins’ return has largely been the catalyst to that but there has also been a siege mentality involved too given the off field issues.
As ever Wigan build the foundations of their success off the back of the workload of their forwards but with every match that is going by their back line is coming to the fore more and more and they are starting to look like real Grand Final contenders once again.
Team News
Catalans Dragons have Tony Gigot back from suspension and Vincent Duport is back from injury for this match too but they are still without a couple of key players in Krishnan Inu and Richie Myler while Gregory Mounis is also on the sidelines.
Wigan have had to do without Joel Tomkins here as he has injured himself again and Anthony Gelling is also missing. John Bateman remains on the sidelines as part of his internal suspension for an off field incident.
Betting
I’m looking forward to this match as it is a battle between probably the two best packs in the Super League so I’m expecting a lot of punch down the middle in this one and plenty of brute force on show. With that in mind I’m expecting this to be a largely defensive tussle and that is likely to suit Wigan Warriors just fine.
Wigan’s defence is very strong unlike Catalans who tend to invite a little bit too much pressure because of the penalties they concede and that might be the difference here. With Tomkins and George Williams back this Wigan side have much more creativity than at times this season and at an odds against price they can spoil the Dragons’ party.
Tips
WON – Back Wigan to beat Catalans Dragons for a 3/10 stake at 2.70 with William Hill
Back them here:
