After the week off for the Challenge Cup final the Super League returns on Thursday night with a battle between Wigan and Widnes at the DW Stadium. A win for Wigan will move them level with Hull FC at the top of the table ahead of the rest of the matches this week while Widnes are playing for purely for pride knowing that they can no longer make the top four.
Wigan Warriors
The week off might have come at the wrong time for Wigan having just picked up a good win against St Helens in the week prior to the cup final but with the injuries they have I’m sure they will have taken the opportunity to rest those who need resting and formulate the right plans to succeed without those they are unable to use.
Wigan’s attack has been their issue all season but they are slowly starting to show signs of improvement in that area and that could be crucial as the countdown to Old Trafford really begins to heighten. We know they are defensively one of the best sides in the competition.
Widnes Vikings
The way Widnes’ season has just subsided almost without trace has been disappointing because for the first half of the campaign they showed really good signs that they could be the ones to break into the top four and surprise people much in the way that Leicester did in football’s top flight.
As injuries arrived and their form dipped they got stuck in a rut which they haven’t been able to get out of although they will take some confidence into this match having thrashed Wakefield in their last match prior to the break for the cup final. A repeat of that will be what their fans are looking for over the remainder of the season.
Team News
Wigan are set to remain without Sean O’Loughlin, Tony Clubb, Joel Tomkins and Michael McIlorum while Dom Manfredi is out much longer term. Oliver Gildart is set to continue on the wing in place of Manfredi.
Widnes have managed to get some players back in the week off. Charly Runciman and Macgraff Leuluai are both back from injury while Tom Gilmore has recovered from a long term injury and is pushing for a start.
Betting
We’ve got another one of those team with something to play for against a team playing with freedom, under no pressure and purely for pride which we’ve been littered with throughout these Super 8s so far and once again I like the side who are able to release the shackles and have a go.
Whether Widnes win this match or not remains to be seen but with players back against a Wigan side missing a fair amount of beef down the middle I do think they can stay within 18pts of Wigan in this age old battle. Wigan haven’t always attacked well and Widnes Vikings tend to score points wherever they go so I’m expecting them to put up a creditable performance whether that is in victory or defeat.
Tips
WON – Back Widnes (+18) to beat Wigan for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Skybet
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