Leigh Centurions v Widnes Vikings: Preview

Leigh Centurions host Widnes Vikings at the Leigh Sports Village this afternoon as Denis Betts side face another tough test. Still without a win, the Vikings are only above Warrington after a draw in poor conditions against the Catalans Dragons in round three. Leigh however have picked up three wins and four losses this season so far, but do come into the game after a hard-fought and controversial loss to the Wakefield Wildcats at the Beaumont Legal Stadium last time out.

Whilst the Centurions did lose the game against Wakefield, they can take many positives from what could have, on another day, ended in a win for the newly promoted side. The history books tell us that Widnes don’t like visiting Leigh, having lost their last six games away against the Lancashire club and if the bookies are calling it right, that will be seven today.

Leigh are without Eloi Pelissier or Hull FC loanee Curtis Naughton for this match, they do however welcome back Martin Ridyard and Liam Hood and will look to build on a good start to the season against the woeful Vikings.

The visitors will want to turn their season around as they enter the game with 1 point from a possible 12, albeit without many of their key players through injury. They are without the Jack Buchanan, Corey Thompson and Lloyd White but do welcome back Greg Burke, Tom Gilmore and Manase Manuokafoa.

Leigh Squad: Brown, Higson, Crooks, Dawson, Ridyard, Drinkwater, Hock, Higham, Weston, Hansen, Tickle, Vea, Hampshire, Reynolds, Hood, Green, Hopkins, Acton, Burr.

Widnes Squad: Armstrong, Bridge, Brooks, Burke, J Chapelhow, T Chapelhow, Craven, Dudson, Gilmore, Hanbury, Heremaia, Houston, Johnstone, Leuluai, Manuokafoa, Marsh, Olbison, Runciman, Whitley.

Referee: Robert Hicks

Touch-judges: P Brooke and G Jones