Wigan Warriors v St Helens line-ups predicted with Paul Wellens facing key calls

Wigan Warriors host nearest and dearest rivals St Helens this afternoon in a clash that promises to thrill. It’s always a hotly contested fixture and this one will be no different with the two outfits level on points inside Super League’s top four.

Wigan are third and they’ll be on a high after beating table toppers Hull KR last time out, while Saints are fourth with defeats to Warrington Wolves and KR being the only blemishes on their Super League record.

As such, both enter the derby full of confidence and they’ll be backing themselves to claim the spoils. But, how will the two sides line up?

Well, it’s fair to assume that Matt Peet will go with an unchanged side from the one that beat the Robins last time out. He’s made just one change to his squad and assuming there are no last minute injury concerns, he will likely be asking last week’s 17 to go again.

That means Abbas Miski and Zach Eckersley look set to get the nod on the right edge, while Liam Byrne and Sam Walters can expect to start the contest up front, with Luke Thompson absent through injury.

Brad O’Neill looks likely to come off the bench, alongside Patrick Mago, Tyler Dupree and Harvie Hill.

Paul Wellens has a few more selection decisions to make, it’s fair to say. The Saints boss welcomes Mark Percival back into the fold following his head knock and he looks set to replace the injured Harry Robertson in the back line.

George Whitby excelled against Wakefield Trinity last time out, but Jonny Lomax’s big game experience could be key for this one, with Lomax in alongside Jack Welsby.

Daryl Clark has been named and looks likely to start, if fit enough to do so, with Moses Mbye dropping to the bench, with Noah Stephens potentially set to be named in the 17, too, with James Bell injured.

How Wigan Warriors and St Helens could line up this afternoon

Wigan Warriors: Jai Field; Abbas Miski, Zach Eckersley, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall; Harry Smith, Bevan French; Liam Byrne, Kruise Leeming, Sam Walters; Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell; Kaide Ellis.

Bench: Brad O’Neill, Patrick Mago, Tyler Dupree, Harvie Hill.

St Helens: Tristan Sailor; Jon Bennison, Matt Whitley, Mark Percival, Lewis Murphy; Jack Welsby, Jonny Lomax; Alex Walmsley, Daryl Clark, Matty Lees; Curtis Sironen, Joe Batchelor; Morgan Knowles.

Bench: Moses Mbye, Agnatius Paasi, George Delaney, Noah Stephens.