Wakefield will be looking for their third win on the bounce as Wigan look to spoil the party. The Warriors will be looking to make up for their defeat against Castleford last time out. Here’s everything you need to know about tonight’s game.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Wakefield
Trinity have impressed so far this season and currently sit fourth, with a win likely to move them up a place to leapfrog Castleford.
Last week’s 17-16 win over Huddersfield showed that they have the steel to get through those close games, a sign of a top side.
Wigan
Lurking in tenth is not how we all know the Wigan of late and coach Adrian Lam knows this.
With just three wins this season, the last being the 42-0 thrashing of Catalans, the Warriors need to improve quickly before they are involved in a relegation battle.
SQUAD NEWS
Wakefield
Head coach Chris Chester has named an unchanged side following last week’s victory against Huddersfield.
Anthony England will be hoping to make an appearance, after being named in the 19-man squad this week.
Wakefield’s 19-man squad: Arona, Arundel, Ashurst, Brough, Crowther, England, Fifita, Hampshire, Hirst, Horo, Jones-Bishop, Jowitt, King, Kirmond, Kopczak, Lyne, Miller, Pauli, Wood.
Wigan
Winger Dom Manfredi suffered yet another long-term knee injury, ruling him out for the season. Jarrod Sammut also injured his knee in last week’s loss so sits this one out and Joe Greenwood has not recovered from a concussion he got last weekend.
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Joe Shorrocks is named in the squad for the first time and there is a welcome return for Sam Powell.
Wigan’s 19-man squad: Bullock, Burgess, Byrne, Davies, Escare, Hardaker, Gildart, Isa, Leuluai, Navarrete, Paisley, Partington, Powell, Sarginson, Jake Shorrocks, Joe Shorrocks, Smithies, Tautai, Williams.
HEAD TO HEAD
Last season’s fixture at Wakefield was a triumph for the Trinity, ending with a 32-16 win. The reverse fixture saw the Warriors take the win 30-18.
Wigan do not have the best record against Wakefield, with stand-out losses from 2016 (62-0) and 2017 (32-0), the latter being the win that led Trinity to finish above Wigan in the table.
KEY BATTLE
Pauli Pauli (Wakefield) v Joe Bullock (Wigan)
Both forwards will be looking to carry their team to victory this week. Pauli Pauli busts through tackles as often as he has the ball but can also be lacklustre with possession. At least he looks like he’s enjoying his time in Super League too!
Joe Bullock has been the surprise signing of the season so far, with impressive performances consistently every week. Wigan’s pack is inexperienced and one of the smallest in the league currently, but Bullock is relishing in this challenge.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Friday 12th April
Venue: Mobile Rocket Stadium
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Referee: Robert Hicks
WHO WILL WIN?
A toughie because Wigan will come good at some point in the season. I don’t think it will be this week though and think Trinity will get their third win in a row. Wakefield by 10.
