There is one more match from the Super League on Saturday which even though it isn’t televised is no less important in the race for the League Leaders’ Shield. With Wigan’s defeat on Friday night there is a chance for the Warrington Wolves to move closer to the Warriors when they entertain Huddersfield at the Halliwell Jones.
Huddersfield know that whatever happens here they will be competing in the qualifiers when the competition returns from the Challenge Cup break and they will need to win four matches to retain their Super League status which can be their only focus now.
Warrington Wolves
Warrington will know Huddersfield have held a bit of a hex over them in recent times but this is a much different season to those ones and the Wolves will be confident of getting the win they need to keep up the heat on the two sides above them in the table.
Warrington are in good form at the minute with four wins and a draw in their last five matches and their win at Castleford last week was just what they needed. They convinced in attack and had enough about them to defend when they needed to and a repeat here should see them in decent order.
Huddersfield Giants
A really poor season for the Giants is showing no signs of getting any better but it will need to get better if they are to maintain their Super League status over the next two months. Losing that would be a catastrophe and one of the biggest surprises in sport when you consider they were minutes from topping the table last season.
Their defence has been their issue and there is no sign of that getting any better which would be a real concern they have here. Even their attack which is often so dynamic has started to dry up so these are worrying times for all involved in the Giants’ club.
Team News
Kurt Gidley and Ryan Bailey will need to go through fitness checks ahead of this match if they are to play in it but both are expected to come through those and take their place in the starting line up.
Huddersfield will have to do without the potent Jermaine McGillvary for this match as he is injured but on the flip side of that they do get half-back Jamie Ellis back available and he is likely to slot in alongside Danny Brough.
Betting
Usually you give Huddersfield the edge in this encounter but I can’t be giving them anything here. They have no form, little shape and even less drive looking in from the outside. Warrington have a side to take them apart both down the middle and in wider areas which has to be concerning for Huddersfield.
Warrington Wolves have to give up 12pts which if this was the real Huddersfield side would have been plenty but it isn’t that side so I expect them to cover it and maybe run out very convincing winners indeed especially if they can get their noses in front early on.
Tips
Back Warrington (-12) to beat Huddersfield for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Ladbrokes
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