A spot in the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup will be on the line this evening when Wakefield Trinity host Leeds Rhinos.
Leeds are the form side heading into the contest at Belle Vue, having won their last three games and they’re the favourites to progress into the last eight, too, with Maika Sivo scoring tries for fun on the left edge.
However, Wakefield come into the contest on the back of a win, too, having edged out Hull FC last week and they’ll fancy their chances of being able to build some momentum by beating their local rivals this evening.
Ahead of the game, we predict how both sides might line up.
We’ll start with Wakefield and it seems Daryl Powell has a decision to make at full-back, Josh Rourke got the nod last week with Max Jowitt nursing the knock he picked up at Warrington Wolves in the previous outing.
However, Jowitt might be set to come back into the line up this evening, with Tom Johnstone joining him in the Trin’s back three as the winger prepares to make his first outing of the season.
Johnstone could replace Will Tate on the wing and with Mason Lino still out injured, it seems Jack Sinfield will get the chance to show Leeds that it was a mistake letting him go in the off-season.
With Tyson Smoothy still out, the starting pack could remain unchanged with a choice on the bench to be made between Matty Storton, Cam Scott, Tray Lolesio and Rourke.
Leeds can be expected to welcome Brodie Croft back into the halves this week, with the stand-off fit again. James McDonnell could come straight back into the starting line-up, too, after overcoming his issue.
That could mean Ethan O’Neill drops to the bench for Brad Arthur, with McDonnell set to play alongside Kallum Watkins in the back row.
Mikolaj Oledzki hasn’t played since the third round cup win over Widnes Vikings but he could be set for a come back off the bench this evening.
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Predicted Wakefield Trinity v Leeds Rhinos teams
Wakefield Trinity: Max Jowitt; Tom Johnstone, Corey Hall, Oliver Pratt, Jayden Myers; Jake Trueman, Jack Sinfield; Mike McMeeken, Harvey Smith, Ky Rodwell; Seth Nikotemo, Isaiah Vagana; Jazz Tevaga
Bench: Jay Pitts, Caleb Hamlin-Uele, Caius Faatili, Matty Storton.
Leeds Rhinos: Lachie Miller; Maika Sivo, Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Ryan Hall; Brodie Croft, Jake Connor; Cooper Jenkins, Danny Levi, Keenan Palasia; Kallum Watkins, James McDonnell; Cameron Smith
Bench: Mikolaj Oledzki, Jarrod O’Connor, Ethan O’Neill, Jeremiah Mata’utia.
