There are three more Super League matches on Good Friday which aren’t in front of the TV cameras but that doesn’t mean that they should go unnoticed because actually there is a clash between the top two in the table among them. As with the televised matches the ‘derby’ theme remains in place for these games.
Warrington vs Widnes
We’ll begin this preview with the top of the table clash as leaders Widnes head to Warrington for a big showdown. Warrington have a 100% record this season and have looked really strong, menacingly strong actually.
A large reason for that has been the form of their half-back combination of Chris Sandow and Kurt Gidley who have kicked and passed opposition to the slaughter. Daryl Clark is back in place in the side too and you look down the spine of this Warrington side and it is strong. Very strong.
Widnes have been a breath of fresh air to the competition so far this season but this is a real test for them. They passed one of those last week when they went to Wigan and won but you sense this could need a further step up on that amazingly.
Surprisingly there is no Kevin Brown for the leaders in this match. He misses out alongside Charly Runciman and Hep Cahill. Patrick Ah Van is brought back into proceedings but the absence of Brown is a significant one.
As a result Warrington are being asked to cover 14pts in this game which they might still do especially without Brown opposing them but two confident sides in a derby should in theory be quite tight. The cap has drifted enough to leave the match alone.
Wakefield vs Huddersfield
Two sides who have struggled in this campaign meet in Wakefield as the Wildcats come up against the Giants. This is a big match for both sides. I think Wakefield are already consigned to the middle 8s again this season but if the Giants have any hope of the playoffs they need to launch a run and launch it now.
Danny Kirmond and Scott Moore have been out for a while for Wakefield but they are both back in the squad for this match. Reece Lyne and Ben Jones-Bishop also come back into the squad so Wakefield’s result here won’t boil down to injuries.
Huddersfield have had injuries all season but they are starting to get back to full strength. Jamie Ellis remains out but his absence has been covered with the high profile signing of Ryan Brierley from Leigh. Craig Huby is in the squad for the first time this season which is a big boost for the Giants but Eorl Crabtree misses out with the concussion he sustained last week.
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Salford vs Catalans
This might just be the match of the day away from the TV screens as a Salford side who are going along quite nicely at home host a Catalans side who many have touted for the top four this season and who are beginning to justify those claims.
Salford have beaten Widnes and St Helens on their home patch this season which will give them confidence going into this one but they will be without Robert Lui again which is a huge blow as we saw when they lost at Hull KR last week.
Catalans have won three of their last four matches and after a slow start to the season where they were beaten at Wigan and at home by Hull FC they have really found their feet. Krisnan Inu misses out here through suspension after his dangerous tackle last week but Morgan Escare, Justin Horo and Paul Aiton are all in situ and could all start.
I like the way the Dragons are improving. We can forgive them a couple of weeks to gel because they had a lot of turnover in their back line in the off season but Carney and Myler are getting a real understanding together while Pat Richards is becoming the player we expect him to be again. Throw in a solid pack and Catalans are starting to look the real deal. I think they’ll have too much for the Red Devils here.
WON – Back Catalans (-4) to beat Catalans for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with William Hill
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