The latest round of Super League matches kick off at the DW Stadium on Thursday night when the Wigan Warriors host the Huddersfield Giants in a match which would have looked very tasty this time last year but might not carry the same appeal this time around.
Wigan Warriors
It has been an up and down time for Wigan after they were humiliated by the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats when a virus spread through their camp and took out the majority of their squad. Prior to that they were beaten by Warrington but they did bounce back last time out to beat Castleford.
Wigan’s defence has been strong most of the season but their attack has never truly clicked into gear yet and the delay of Sam Tomkins’ return isn’t helping their cause. Despite all of that a win here would move them two points clear at the top until the rest of the matches are played.
Huddersfield Giants
This has been a wretched season so far for the Giants but there were signs of life in them last week when they saw off Warrington without conceding a point. It must be said that conditions were horrendous in that game and the Giants deserve great credit in managing them better and they now have something to build on.
They need to keep winning though because only the top eight are guaranteed of their Super League status for next season and the last thing the Giants want is to go from being 80 minutes from the Grand Final last year to fighting for their Super League lives this year.
Team news
Anthony Gelling is back for Wigan in this match and he will be welcomed straight back into the side. His partnership on the right wing with Dom Manfredi has been a feature of the season so far. Joe Bretherton is man to make way.
Huddersfield will bring Gene Ormsby back into the side after he was ineligible last week as he is on loan from Warrington. Sam Wood will make way for him and there will be no Larne Patrick either. He has joined Castleford on loan for the rest of the season.
Betting
It will be interesting to see if Huddersfield can build on last week’s win but I get the feeling there is a real fire in the belly of Wigan after that disaster day at Wakefield a couple of weeks ago.
It is always hard to go against Wigan on their own patch and I’m not going to do that here but I have to admit the 10pt handicap they are being asked to cover could be a trappy line if that win last week has kick started Huddersfield’s season.
Winning is the main objective for Wigan now and they are masters of doing it at home. Instead of asking them to cover a double point start the safer punt could be on Wigan to lead at the break and maintain their advantage at full time.
Tips
Back Wigan HT/Wigan FT for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Unibet
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