The first truly mouth-watering clash of the Super League campaign takes place on Thursday night when the leaders Castleford head to Wigan to take on the current champions on their own patch.
A win for Castleford will send them five points clear of Wigan but were the home side to prevail things would be very bunched at the top so there is a fair bit at stake in this one.
Wigan Warriors
Wigan’s lengthy injury list finally caught up with them last week when they were beaten at Leeds. In fairness they gave a fairly good performance and had chances to be closer to the Rhinos than they were but I don’t think they were ever good enough to win the match. Generally when Wigan are beaten they come out with the bit between their teeth in the next match.
Although they have been playing a lot of youngsters it wasn’t until last week that their defence was exposed so that will give Shaun Wane something to build from when he prepares for this match although that area of their side is going to be severely tested against a rampant Castleford Tigers attack.
Castleford Tigers
What a season it has been for the Castleford Tigers so far. They have won six of their seven matches with their sole defeat coming in a monsoon at Salford and in that time they have run up a point difference of +178 in just seven matches. That alone highlights just how well they are playing at both ends of the field.
This lot score tries and points for fun. Their 281 points so far is 92 more than anyone else in the competition and the team in second, Leeds Rhinos, have played an extra match. In the past question marks have been put on their defence but they have significantly tightened up in that area of the game too.
Team News
Wigan are hoping to have Liam Farrell and Anthony Gelling back to ease their injury crisis this week although both face fitness tests. Oliver Gildart will be missing for a while after that shocking tackle by Brett Ferres last week.
Castleford have recalled the other half of their wing twins in Greg Minikin. He also has to pass a fitness test but the Tigers hope he will be fit to feature. Rangi Chase is in the squad again.
Betting
I’m really looking forward to this match. Bookmakers aren’t sure of the credentials of the Castleford Tigers with the Yorkshiremen only getting two points and in some places they are 4/5 just to win the game.
I’m a lot more confident in them than that. I mentioned before the season started how I see them as the real deal in this campaign and their start hasn’t surprised me. The margins of victory have but their style certainly hasn’t. They’re fantastic to watch, they are full of confidence and they can take advantage of Wigan’s injuries to run up another win.
Tips
WON – Back Castleford Tigers to beat Wigan Warriors for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Betfair
Back them here:
OFFER
BETFRED
Double Delight and Hat-Trick Heaven if your First Tryscorer scores again! Click on the banner to bet.
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2017
