Wigan welcome Catalans in Super League with third spot in sight

Wigan host Catalans from the south of France, in what makes for an intriguing battle with both sides tied on nine points in the Super League table.

The home side, though, are heavily odds-on at 2/7 with Coral for the win, and will be hoping to bounce back from a narrow 24-18 away defeat to Salford last time out, though put in a great effort, with a side that had several senior players rested, following a gruelling victory over St Helens just three days previously.

Despite their loss, the Warriors will be confident that they can pick up the two points, and winger Dom Manfredi, who scored the opening try against the Saints, plus a brace against Wakefield, returns to side having been rested last time out. The 21-year-old academy product was offered a new contract after an impressive performance against Saints and is 7/1 to cross first again.

His coach Shaun Wane was quick to praise the winger’s accomplishments: “Whenever he has played he’s done well and I firmly believe that he has a big future.

“I am very happy to get this deal done. Dom is a player that I really like. He works hard in training, gets his head down and always wants to improve.

“He’s exactly the kind of person I like to work with and he’s very talented too,” Wane added.

Meanwhile, Manfredi has said he wants to keep building on the work he has done so far: “To hear [Shaun] Wane praise me and say the things he has said is great.

“I have enjoyed my seven years at Wigan and it is an honour to wear the famous Cherry and White shirt,” he said.

“I plan to keep working hard now, taking any opportunities that I get and giving [Shaun] something to think about.”

Larne Patrick impressed in his first start since signing for the club in close season, getting on the scoresheet against the Red Devils. He is good value at 3/1 in the anytime market, while Joe Burgess, having scored five tries this season including last time out, is an obvious threat, and a 7/1 first scorer shout.

For the Dragons, winger Willie Tonga and hooker Eloi Pelissier both scored twice in the 32-16 win over Widnes on Easter Monday, and with the former 12 to score first, and the latter 3/1 in the anytime market, these odds represent decent value. Expect Morgan Escare to impose himself on the match as quickly as possible, and if Wigan can’t keep the playmaker quiet, the hosts could be in for a long match.