In a battle between two bottom four sides, Warrington Wolves host basement club Leigh Centurions as they look to keep their top eight hopes alive.
Last Time Out
It has been a season to forget for Warrington Wolves as they find themselves inside the bottom four with just four games remaining. Last week they suffered defeat to Wakefield Trinity, who are one of the sides which have taken their place in the top eight, with the Wovles going down 26-12. Their only win in the last six games came at home to Catalans Dragons, and their chances of making the top eight are slipping further and further away with each defeat.
Leigh Centurions’ first campaign back in the top flight has been a tough one, and as they approach round 20 they a currently rock bottom of the Super League table. They are only one point from Widnes Vikings but are consigned to The Qualifiers, where they will meet the top four of the Championship. Last week they threw away a chance to lift themselves from the basement, as they lost out 40-36 away to Catalans Dragons in a game where both sides just did not want to defend.
Key Battle
The Centurions will try and win this game down the middle, with their big and aggressive forward pack looking to lay down a platform. They will be reliant on the likes of Glenn Stewart, Lachlan Burr and Atelea Vea to do that job, but Warrington will welcome back the experienced Ben Westwood for this fixture. He will be tasked with dealing with Leigh’s threat in the forwards, as will Ashton sims and Chris Hill.
Prediction
This is simply a must-win game for Tony Smith’s men as they cannot afford another loss if they are to climb from the bottom four. Leigh will be looking for their first win in this fixture since a 17-10 victory at Wilderspool back in 1987. Warrington Wolves by 16.
Squads
Warrington Wolves 19-man squad:Â Ryan Atkins, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Brad Dwyer, Kurt Gidley, Peta Hiku, Chris Hill, Jack Hughes, Benjamin Jullien, George King, Tom Lineham, Declan Patton, Joe Philbin, Ben Pomeroy, Stefan Ratchford, Andre Savelio, Ashton Sims, Morgan Smith, Ben Westwood
Leigh Centurions 19-man squad:Â Mitch Brown, Lachlan Burr, Matty Dawson, Josh Drinkwater, James Green, Adam Higson, Harrison Hansen, Micky Higham, Liam Hood, Sam Hopkins, Samisoni Langi, Antoni Maria, Daniel Mortimer, Cory Paterson, Ben Reynolds, Nick Rawsthorne, Glenn Stewart, Danny Tickle, Atelea Vea
Match Information
Venue:Â Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington
Date/Time:Â Friday 7th July, 8pm
Referee: Scott Mikalauskas
