Wane’s Wigan wrestle Warrington with Super League third place at stake

Shaun Wane’s side are odds-on 8/15 favourites with shirt sponsors Coral to beat counterparts Warrington following a comprehensive 34-0 win over Catalans Dragons last time out.

While the Cherry and Whites had an indifferent start to the Super League season, their form recently has picked up and they look like a side who can mount a serious challenge for honours.

The demolition job against Catalans made it three wins in four games, including a bruising win over rivals St Helens, as winger Dom Manfredi crossed for a hat-trick and Joe Burgess scored twice. The two are both 8/1 to breach the in-goal area first, with the former getting the initial in his last two starts.

Wane can also call upon Ben Flower for the first time since last year’s Grand Final, after the prop was suspended and fined after punches on Lance Hohaia. He is 7/1 to mark his return with a try in the anytime market.

Anthony Gelling was on the scoresheet once more against the Perpignon outfit, and is joint-second in the club’s scoring stats with six, while also commanding odds of 12/1 to cross the whitewash first.

With a victory, Wigan can make third place their own, while also putting pressure on Saints in second. Ahead of the match, coach Wane was in confident mood, though indicated Warrington’s fifth place position bears no relevance to how they’re playing.

“It’s a tough game and I don’t see where they are in the league as any indicator of how they’re playing,” he said. “We’re ready for the challenge, we’ve got a few players back and our form is quite good at the minute.”

On Flower, Wane added: “I can’t wait to put him in, I’m really looking forward to it. I have been itching for this game to come and he’ll get his chance.”

Warrington, meanwhile, will be hoping to leapfrog their opponents with a win, and following their 80-0 rout over bottom club Wakefield last time out, are likely to come into this match high on confidence.

Richie Myler crossed three times during the match and is a very decent 7/4 chance to score anytime, while close-season signing, and last term’s Super League Man of Steel, Daryl Clark also got his third of the campaign and is 9/4 to go over anytime.