Huddersfield Giants host Wakefield Trinity as the West Yorkshire side look to bounce back from last week’s defeat to Warrington Wolves
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Huddersfield Giants
The Giants were well and truly beaten last time out, losing 50-19 to an impressive Warrington side.
They did, however, show moments of promise reminiscent of the win over London Broncos a fortnight ago.
Wakefield Trinity
Having beaten Leeds Rhinos 26-24 two weeks ago, Wakefield failed to impress against Hull FC last time out.
Trinity lost 30-14 at the KCOM stadium and were punished for their indecisive nature.
SQUAD NEWS
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield are bolstered by the return of Jordan Turner. The centre missed the Warrington loss through the seven-day concussion protocols.
Oliver Roberts also returns to the fray, while Joe Wardle misses out as he too goes through concussion checks.
Huddersfield Giants 19-man squad: McIntosh, McGillvary, Turner, Uate, Frawley, Clough, Leeming, Matagi, Murphy, Mellor, Lawrence, O’Brien, Roberts, Ta’ai. Russell, Ikahihifo, Hewitt, L. Senior, I. Senior
Wakefield Trinity
Wakefield name an unchanged 19-man squad, and hope to call on prop Craig Kopczak after plantar fasciitis forced him to miss the Hull loss.
Hooker Tyler Randell could also return, having not featured since round one.
Wakefield Trinity 19-man squad: Annakin, Arona, Caton-Brown, Crowther, Fifita, Hampshire, Hirst, Horo, Jones-Bishop, Jowitt, Kershaw, King, Kirmond, Kopczak, Lyne, Pauli, Randell, Reynolds, Wood
HEAD TO HEAD
Ex-Giant Danny Brough snatched victory against his old side when the teams met in April – the veteran Yorkshireman kick a brilliant drop goal to give his new teammates a 17-16 victory.
Wakefield also battered Huddersfield in the last meeting between the two sides last season as they romped away with the two points and the 16-42 scoreline could, and should, have been more.
KEY BATTLE
Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield Giants) vs Max Jowitt
It seems to be a weekly mantra this season, but if McGillvary plays well, the Giants will always have a chance, no matter the opposition. The England international is the club’s top try scorer yet again this season and the winger will be determined to add to his tally once again.
For Wakefield, it was a much harder choice, but Jowitt has come into impressive form of late and is expected to feature heavily again tonight. With three tries in his last two games, could he be the man to give Trinity back-to-back wins at the John Smith’s Stadium?
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Friday 3rd May 2019
Venue: John Smith’s Stadium
Kick-off: 19:45
Referee: James Child
WHO WILL WIN?
Despite last week’s heavy loss, I fancy the Giants to get another win on the board on home turf and, although Trinity have enough quality within their ranks to win the game, McGillvary and co should be too much for them: Giants win 22-12.