Passions will be running high again on Friday night as Wigan host St Helens in the big Super League match while at the same time Salford and Hull KR will be looking to strengthen their position in their quest to retain their top flight status on what should be a great night of rugby.
Wigan and Saints is the live TV game which will surprise nobody but I’m sure there will be regular updates during the broadcast on the other match.
Wigan vs St Helens
Wigan have seen leaders Hull FC win already this week so if they want to stay within two points of top spot they have to win this match. St Helens’ recent purple patch has meant they might not have given up hope of nailing top spot themselves but if that is to happen they have to win here.
Wigan go into the match off the back of four losses in their last five matches in all competitions and that is a run they need to end soon heading into the playoffs. Injuries aren’t helping their cause with Sean O’Loughlin, Lee Mossop and Dom Manfredi all out for this match. That leaves Lewis Tierney or Oliver Gildart to fill the void on the wing.
St Helens are flying at the minute. They have now won their last seven matches and look to be hitting form at just the right time. Their squad will be tested here as they will be without Luke Walsh and Luke Thompson as they are both suspended while Mark Percival is out injured. Theo Fages is among those returning.
These two played in the last round of the regular season a month or so ago and St Helens went to Wigan and did a bit of a job on them and I’m expecting them to win here too. I’ve repeatedly said this season that Wigan without Sean O’Loughlin are a completely different side to the one they are with him so his absence could well be significant.
St Helens being without Luke Walsh isn’t ideal but Theo Fages being back with a point to prove lessens the blow somewhat. One of these sides is in great form and the other is really struggling and given that Wigan have struggled to score when at full strength we can expect those struggles to continue here which should enable St Helens to come through again.
Salford vs Hull KR
Both these sides have already lost a match in the Super 8s and neither can afford another if they are to ease the pressure on their relegation prospects. Hull KR are probably slightly better off than Salford in that their defeat came to Leeds who will run away with this section while Salford lost to Leigh who are massive dangers to take the place of one of the Super League sides in the top flight next season.
Salford go into the match with a relatively fit squad while Hull KR’s injuries are mounting up but having took them on last week and been burnt I’m not sure I want to be taking them on here. Salford just need to win after last week and that will be their intention rather than running up a big score so this just feels like one of those matches to leave alone.
Tips
Back St Helens to beat Wigan for a 4/10 stake at 2.75 with Skybet
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