SL Preview: Widnes v Warrington (Fri)

Both Widnes and Warrington will want to bring to an unfortunate runs when they meet in Super League on Friday night.

The Vikings have lost their last nine competitive games against the Wolves, while Steve Price’s men will be desperate to pick up their first win of the 2018 season.

Warrington’s star signing Tyrone Roberts, who made his debut in the defeat against Leeds on opening night, is once again missing with a knee injury having sat out the loss at Huddersfield.

Prop Dom Crosby is included in the 19-man squad after nine months sidelined through injury, while Harvey Livett is also named.

The Wolves last tasted defeat to Widnes back in April 2015, and won four meetings between the two sides last season, though did lose in the pre-season friendly between the sides in December.

Following their loss to Huddersfield last Thursday, and Widnes’ 13-12 defeat to Castleford on Sunday, Warrington have had an extra few days preparation.

The Vikings are without Patrick Ah Van and Charly Runciman, who suffered injuries in the respective matches, as well as hooker Lloyd White, a late withdrawal from the Castleford defeat through illness.

Papua New Guinea prop Wellington Albert has been rested, with academy products Danny Craven and Brad Walker coming in to the 19-man squad.

Widnes started with five academy products in the defeat to Castleford, with two of those, Matt Whitley and Jay Chapelhow, crossing for tries.

Kevin Brown is in line to face his former employers and is likely to get a hot reception at the Halton Stadium, while Widnes back-rower Sam Wilde will go up against Warrington for the first time having made the switch between the two clubs in the off-season.

Widnes 19-man squad: Ashall-Bott, Burke, Cahill, J Chapelhow, Craven, Dean, Gilmore, Hanbury, Heremaia, Houston, Inu, Leuluai, Marsh, Olbison, B Walker, D Walker, Whitley, Wilde.

Warrington 19-man squad: Atkins, K Brown, Clark, Cooper, Crosby, Currie, Goodwin, Hill, Hughes, G King, Lineham, Livett, Murdoc-Masila, Patton, Philbin, Ratchford, Russell, Smith, Westwood.

Stats:

Warrington have won their last nine meetings with Widnes (and last three away from home). The Vikings’ last win against the Wolves was 30-10, at home, on 2 April, 2015.

Warrington’s Matthew Russell has scored tries in the Wolves’ last three meetings with Widnes (1-2-1).

Last ten meetings:

Widnes 14, Warrington 28 (S8Q-R1, 4/8/17)
Warrington 22, Widnes 6 (SLR23, 20/7/17)
Warrington 34, Widnes 20 (CCR6, 14/5/17)
Widnes 10, Warrington 19 (SLR9, 13/4/17)
Warrington 30, Widnes 12 (SLS8-R5, 9/9/16)
Warrington 20, Widnes 18 (CCQF, 24/6/16)
Widnes 16, Warrington 48 (SLR12, 22/4/16)
Warrington 28, Widnes 10 (SLR7, 25/3/16)
Warrington 22, Widnes 20 (SLR13, 3/5/15)
Widnes 30, Warrington 10 (SLR8, 2/4/15)

Super League summary:

Widnes won 9
Warrington won 17 (includes win in 2014 play-offs)
Widnes highest score: 38-22 (H, 2013) (Widest margin: 31-10, H, 2004)
Warrington highest score: 68-4 (MW, 2012) (also widest margin)