SL Preview: Wakefield Wildcats v Wigan Warriors

Leaders Wigan head to Wakefield in good spirits after seeing off Leeds over Magic Weekend.

Shaun Wane’s Warriors won 20-16 at the Etihad Stadium and maintained their three-point lead at the top of the Super League.

Wakefield, meanwhile, were thrashed by Yorkshire rivals Castleford at the event and are now looking over their shoulders as the battle at the bottom intensifies. 

Paul Aiton (quad and jaw), Ali Lauitiiti (foot), Tim Smith (shoulder) and Paul Sykes (knee) all miss out for the Wildcats but Chris Annakin is in the squad after signing a new deal with the club during the week. Captain Danny Kirmond has been passed fit and is expected to start, which would mark his 100th Super League appearance. 

Sam Tomkins will go into the Wigan history books if he scores against Wakefield. Tomkins has scored in 11 consecutive games and needs a twelth to better a record currently held by Martin Offiah and Steve Ella. 

On the injury front, Skipper Sean O’Loughlin misses out with a knee problem and Blake Green (ankle) and Gil Dudson (neck) are still sidelined. Greg Burke and Scott Taylor are both included in the squad.

Wakefield Wildcats 19-man squad: Mathers, Fox, Collis, Smith, Cockayne, Poore, Raleigh, Kirmond, Washbrook, Wood, Amor, Wilkes, Mariano, Mellars, Lyne, Wildie, Walshaw, Annakin, Tautai.

Wigan Warriors 19-man squad: Burke, Crosby, Farrell, Flower, Goulding, Hansen, Hughes, Lauaki, Mcllorum, Mossop, Powell, Richards, Smith, Taylor, Thornley, Tomkins. L, Tomkins. S, Tuson. 

Prediction: Wigan should take advantage of Wakefield’s poor form – Wigan win.

Super League summary:

Wakefield won 6

Wigan won 27 (includes win in 2004 play-offs)

Wakefield highest score: 40-14 (H, 2006) (Widest margin: 40-14, H, 2006; 32-6, H, 2007)

Wigan highest score: 60-24 (A, 1999) (Widest margin: 56-6, A, 2000)