Warrington Wolves v Wigan Warriors: Preview

World Club Champions Wigan travel to Warrington on Thursday night, looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the 2017 season.

The Warriors have started the new campaign in impressive fashion but needed a late try from Oliver Gildart in their last away to see off Widnes 28-26.

In a pulsating game at the Select Security Stadium, Wigan showed real character to produce a remarkable comeback, scoring 16 unanswered points in the final quarter to leave the Vikings heartbroken.

The Cherry and Whites then backed it up last week by beating Leigh 20-0 in the Battle of the Borough to make it three wins from three matches. Now they prepare to meet a Warrington side still searching for their first league win of the season.

With a number of players still on the sidelines, the Wolves have suffered three straight defeats in the Super League, the latest coming at the AJ Bell Stadium as Salford picked up their first win against Warrington in 10 meetings.

In a hard-fought contest, it was Junior Sa’u’s touchdown seven minutes from time that settled matters as the Red Devils claimed a 24-14 victory.

Tony Smith’s side now face their toughest assignment so far as they face Wigan for the first time since losing to the Warriors in the 2016 Grand Final.

Warrington make one change to their squad with Joe Philbin replacing Dom Crosby.

Thursday’s clash comes too soon for Stefan Ratchford and skipper Chris Hill, but both are hopeful of returning from injury in time to make the squad for next week’s trip to Leigh Centurions.

The Wolves are also without Kevin Penny (ankle), Ben Currie (ACL) and George King (hamstring).

Wigan Warriors have their own injury concerns after losing Joe Burgess (knee), Ryan Sutton (eye), and Lewis Tierney (knee) this week.

They join Jake Shorrocks (knee), John Bateman (shoulder) and Oliver Gildart (shoulder) amongst the absentees while Sam Tomkins, Connor Farrell, Michael Mcilorum and Dom Manfredi all have long-term injuries.

Liam Marshall, who made his debut for the club last week, looks set to keep his place on the wing while Liam Forsyth, Tom Davies and Romain Navarrete are all in the squad and hope to make their debuts for Shaun Wane’s side.

Wigan will be looking to make it three wins in a row against Warrington and if they can replicate their recent performances, they should have enough in their locker to pull it off at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Warrington Squad: Atkins, Blythe, Brown, Clark, Cooper, Dwyer, Evans, Gidley, Hughes, Johnson, Lineham, Livett, Patton, Philbin, Russell, Savelio, Sims, Westerman, Westwood.

Wigan Squad: Bretherton, Clubb, Davies, Escare, Farrell, Flower, Forsyth, Gelling, Isa, Leuluai, Marshall, Navarette, Nuuausala, O’Loughlin, Powell, Tautai, J Tomkins, Wells, Williams.

Score Prediction: Warrington 16-24 Wigan