The penultimate round of matches before the mid-season split in the Super League begins on Thursday night with what could be a belting contest as the Wigan Warriors host the Warrington Wolves in a repeat of the 2016 Grand Final.
It won’t be a dress rehearsal for the 2017 showpiece but it is a big enough match in its own right. Wigan secured their top eight spot last week and now they go in search of a place in the top four while Warrington have to win this if they are to have any chance of finishing in the top eight.
Wigan Warriors
Wigan go into this match off the back of a four match unbeaten spell and that includes a win in France last weekend where they looked like a half decent outfit for the first time this season. Players are beginning to come back into their ranks and ultimately they are improving as a result of that which bodes well for them.
Wigan are especially getting better in attacking areas of the pitch and if they can get that working regularly then there is still a chance of them making the top four. The beauty of their injuries is that their players will be fresher than most heading into the business end of the campaign and that can be invaluable.
Warrington Wolves
This season has been an absolute car crash for the Warrington Wolves since they beat the Brisbane Broncos in the World Club Series earlier in the year. In fairness to the Wolves they have won two of their last three matches to give themselves an outside chance of making the top eight by the time of the split that they need help from others to achieve that
Warrington have also been battered with injuries this season but their players are just beginning to come back too and just like we have seen with Wigan we can expect Warrington to strengthen as a result. They will hope they won’t be playing in the qualifiers by that time although that looks quite likely.
Team News
Wigan are going to be without Liam Farrell for this match after the versatile player picked up an injury in France. Liam Marshall comes in for Farrell. Sean O’Loughlin will play a 400th match for the Warriors in this one.
Warrington will be able to call upon Ben Currie for the first time since September and that could be a huge boost to them. Kevin Brown remains on the sideline so Dec Patton should continue to fill in.
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Betting
These two sides have played three times this season with the last two of them being really close matches. They drew 24-24 at the Magic Weekend before Wigan Warriors edged Warrington Wolves out by a point in the Challenge Cup quarter final with Warrington missing a penalty to win and a drop goal to tie late on.
I fancy this one will be just as close if for no other reason than the match is huge for both sides. I fancy Warrington could put in their best performance of the season here. Having Currie back will be like a new signing and they should lift as a result while Wigan are getting better all the time. If pushed I’d take Wigan for the win but 12pts is a lot for Warrington to have as a start and I can’t ignore that.
Liam Marshall has four tries and a hattrick against Warrington in the two Super League matches this season and he also notched in the Challenge Cup quarter final too. It looks like he is set for a recall to the Wigan side here so the 10/11 on him going over again looks a huge price. We’ve seen all season that he is incredibly potent around the try line and with excellent service coming his way I fancy him to go in again.
Tips
WON – Back Warrington Wolves (+12) to beat Wigan Warriors for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Boylesports
Back them here:
Back L.Marshall Anytime Tryscorer for a 3/10 stake at 1.91 with Skybet
Back him here:
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