The third to last round of matches in the Super League campaign concludes on Friday evening when the top two battle it out at the DW Stadium when arch-rivals Wigan Warriors and St Helens meet in what could be a rehearsal for the Grand Final.
These two sides will definitely be competing in the play-offs with St Helens already through to the semi-finals. They will win the League Leaders’ Shield if they win here. Wigan won’t want that to happen on their ground and will secure their own semi-final spot if they win here.
Where to watch
The match will be shown live and in full on the Sky Sports Arena channel with the lead up to the contest at 7.30pm with kick off at the DW Stadium coming along at 8pm.
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors know what it takes to lift silverware this season having already done so in the Challenge Cup final and the last thing they will want is to watch on as their rivals secure their own silverware on their soil. Often at this time of the season teams need to find extra motivation, especially this weekend when the schedule is beyond bonkers. I am sure stopping St Helens winning the leaders crown will act as all the extra motivation they need.
The Warriors will be delighted this match is on their home ground because they have played 13 matches in all competitions at the DW Stadium this season and they have won them all. In the last five Super League matches here they have restricted their opponents to a cumulative 22 points while running up a whopping 230 of their own in that time. They aren’t just winning matches at the DW, they are dominating them. Only two teams have stayed within single figures of them here in the Super League.
St Helens
St Helens now know that when the postseason starts they will be just two wins away from defending their title once again. In essence, this match doesn’t carry much in the way of significance to them down the line but make no mistake about it they will be eager to win the League Leaders’ Shield on their rivals turf. If they do that it means they can effectively sack the final two games off and when you consider they come on Monday and next Friday that might not be a bad thing.
Saints go into this match off the back of just two defeats in their last 14 in the Super League, but those losses both came on their travels in Catalans and Salford so they will be keen to show everyone they are still the best team in the competition with an away win at the second best team in the league in terms of the table. In the main Saints’ defence has been tough as teak and in recent weeks their attack has started to come to the party as well.
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Team News
Wigan Warriors have made one change to their 21-man squad for this match. That sees the return of Mike Cooper after he has served his suspension. He comes in for James McDonnell in an otherwise unchanged squad.
St Helens welcome two players back to their squad with Morgan Knowles having come back from suspension while Curtis Sironen is back from injury. There will be no Will Hopoate for Saints though as he has a hamstring injury.
Betting
We look all set for a cracking contest here and it is one I think the home side Wigan Warriors can win. It is St Helens who have won the two league meetings this season but the second of those at the Magic Weekend, Wigan were ahead and looking like winning but a late red card cost them dearly so if they can keep their heads a little better in this one I think they have the beating of their rivals, a little like we saw when the two met in the Challenge Cup semi-final.
St Helens have one or two too many injuries in their back line for my liking. That is where Wigan are going to hurt them with two potent wingers and Jai Field popping up whenever there is any signs of broken play in the middle of the field. Wigan are a strong side at home and have been in great scoring form and while St Helens are very tight defensively, this Wigan offense might well have too much even for them. I like Wigan in this one.
Tips
Back Wigan Warriors to beat St Helens for a 3/10 stake at 1.73 with Boylesports
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