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Wigan Warriors need a win to assure themselves of the League Leaders' Shield and they will fancy their chances against a woefully under-strength Salford Red Devils team
START DATE/TIME: Thursday 19th September, 2024, UK – 8:00pm / Friday 20th September, AUS - 5:00am / Thursday 19th September, US ET – 3:00pm / Thursday 19th September, US PT – 12:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK - This match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports + / AUS - This match will be broadcast live on Fox League / US - This match will not be broadcast live
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK - This match will be streamed on SkyGo / AUS - This match will be streamed on Kayo Sports / US - This match will be streamed on SuperLeague+
WIGAN WARRIORS FORM: VICTORY NEEDED TO SEAL THE LEAGUE LEADERS’ SHIELD
Ever since a shock 30-4 loss at the hands of Leeds, the Wigan Warriors have been on a tear and have reeled off five wins on the bounce. Victory number six will see them win the League Leaders’ Shield and they will be motivated to do just that.
LAST FIVE: WWWWW
SALFORD RED DEVILS FORM: PLAY-OFFS ASSURED AND FOCUS ON THOSE RATHER THAN THIS MATCH
The Salford Red Devils have been in good form as they sealed a play-off spot without having any final round dramas. Wins over the Catalan Dragons and then a 58-4 hammering of Hull FC saw them assure their spot. A draw or win here would assure them of a home play-off match but that is a tough assignment against the Warriors.
LAST FIVE: LWLWW
WIGAN WARRIORS TEAM NEWS: ADDITIONAL HEADING HERE
Warriors head coach Matt Peet has named an unchanged squad to face the Red Devils in what is their final match of the regular season. Needing just a point to win the League Leaders’ Shield, Peet is taking no chances in his team selection as they aim to make it a second year in a row they have achieved it.
21-MAN SQUAD: 1. Jai Field 2. Abbas Miski 3. Adam Keighran 4. Jake Wardle 5. Liam Marshall 6. Bevan French 7. Harry Smith 8. Ethan Havard 10. Liam Byrne 12. Liam Farrell 13. Kaide Ellis 15. Patrick Mago 16. Luke Thompson 17. Kruise Leeming 19. Tyler Dupree 20. Harvie Hill 21. Junior Nsemba 22. Sam Walters 26. Zach Eckersley 27. Tom Forber 30. Jack Farrimond
SALFORD RED DEVILS TEAM NEWS: ROWLEY RESTS REGULAR STARTERS AHEAD OF PLAY-OFFS
Salford coach Paul Rowley has rested a staggering 14 regulars for this final match as he has clearly written off any hopes of getting anything from this match. There’s a couple of players returning from injury and loans, and as many as seven players could make their debut in this final match of the regular season amid uproar from many in and around the league.
21-MAN SQUAD: 6. Cade Cust 9. Amir Bourouh 13. Ollie Partington 14. Chris Atkin 16. Joe Shorrocks 17. Jack Ormondroyd 18. Ben Hellewell 19. Adam Sidlow 22. Kai Morgan 25. Nathan Connell 28. Harvey Wilson 30. Jamie Pye 31. Joe Bullock 32. Jayden Nikorima 33. Josh Wagstaffe 34. Billy Glover 35. Charlie Glover 36. Ethan Fitzgerald 37. Leunbou Bardyel-Wells 38. Charlie Mccurrie 39. Jack Gatcliffe
WIGAN WARRIORS VS SALFORD RED DEVILS PREDICTION
The Red Devils are clearly writing this match off and rather than try to get a result and secure a home eliminator play-off tie, coach Paul Rowley is more concerned with preserving the fitness of his players and risk playing away next week.
The Warriors will be motivated to win the Shield as there is little chance of the Red Devils with this line-up preventing them from doing so. The question will all be around the winning margin and whether they can cover the 42 handicap.
There’s every chance Wigan ease off the gas at some point but equally, their fitness and sharpness will be far too much for this second string team of Red Devils. There’s been some heavy beatings in recent weeks and with the Warriors having a bye next week, they will be keen to get the miles in their legs and they should beat that handicap.
WIGAN WARRIORS VS SALFORD RED DEVILS TIP: WIGAN WARRIORS TO WIN -42 POINTS