St Helens vs Wakefield Trinity: Team news, match preview and score prediction

Wakefield have already shocked one of the teams at the top at the end of the season as they did when they beat Wigan.

That sent them on a wave of positivity which has seen them end the season positively with a number of wins but can they continue that against the Champions.

The Champions themselves will be like a wounded animal after a disappoint defeat to Wigan on Friday. A win here would wrap up the League Leaders’ Shield for the Saints, so there is massive incentive alongside the obvious need to generate momentum after the derby defeat ahead of the play-offs.

Team News

Kristian Woolf will be sweating over the fitness of Tommy Makinson after he missed the derby with a knee injury. The backs are a really worrying area for the Champions with Josh Simm and Konrad Hurrell both picking up arm injuries in the defeat. Making things worse for the Champions, Morgan Knowles and Curtis Sironen have both received bans. There’s a small chance we could see Will Hopoate return after some hamstring troubles. Woolf did say after the win over Hull KR that they were taking precautions with the versatile back.

Wakefield avoided any bans on Thursday night despite Lee Gaskell being charge with Grade A contrary behaviour but he didn’t receive any sort of suspension. That means there won’t be too much for Willie Poching to worry about so any changes to the team will likely be to bring in some fresh legs.

Match Preview – Key Battles:

Jack Welsby vs Jamie Shaul: Jamie Shaul has taken to life at Wakefield like a duck to water but this should be a unique test for him against the brilliant Jack Welsby who is already one of the league’s best fullbacks despite his young age. Can Shaul contain him?

Jonny Lomax vs Jacob Miller: Whenever St Helens meet Wakefield it’s always curious to see these two experienced halfbacks collide and coming up against a real all rounder and leader in Wakefield’s Miller may be the right kind of test for Lomax and his side to get ready for play-off rugby.

Where the game will be won and lost:

As Saints look to gather momentum as they go in search for a record breaking fourth consecutive Super League title, they’ll look to boss this game in every aspect and especially down the middle. Doing so, will likely lead the way to victory. Wakefield have shown they can hang on in situations like this, but Saints’ quality will see them edge it.

Score Prediction: St Helens 24-6 Wakefield Trinity