Wakefield Trinity vs Huddersfield Giants: Team news, match preview and score prediction

Wakefield and Huddersfield meet in a West Yorkshire derby tomorrow night, with neither side in the best form.

Having turned the corner a month ago with wins over Toulouse and two over Warrington in quick succession, Trinity have been on a slippery slope over Easter and now sit just one point away from 11th in the league.

As for Huddersfield, their poor form has gone under the radar somewhat after a superb start to the season. The Giants picked up just one point over Easter against a struggling Leeds side at Headingley. Concerningly, the Giants have dropped out of the top four and only have a point advantage on Castleford in seventh. They’ve also only picked up three points away from home this season making this a must win game.

Team News:

Wakefield have been able to name a strong squad for this fixture. Once again, David Fifita is included in the squad after not playing for over a month. Tom Johnstone is still available after an injury hit start to 2022 whilst all three halfback options are available in the shape of Jacob Miller, Mason Lino and Lee Gaskell whilst options at nine are Liam Kay, Brad Walker and Harry Bowes with no Liam Hood.

The Giants have Theo Fages, Matty English and Owen Trout back from injury but have lost Tui Lolohea, Jack Cogger and Chris Hill to suspension in three major blows to the side. Young hooker George Roby has also been named in the squad with Adam O’Brien still out through concussion protocols.

Match Preview – Key Battles:

Max Jowitt vs Ashton Golding: After their recent struggles, both teams will turn to their fullbacks in the hope that they can spark something in this West Yorkshire derby. Trinity have the strong and underrated Max Jowitt whilst Huddersfield will be without the skilled and mercurial Tui Lolohea. So, it will likely be Ashton Golding at one and the lively fullback has been very good recently on the wing and at nine. His pace and energy could get the Giants going in attack at Belle Vue.

Tom Johnstone vs Jermaine McGillvary: Two wingers with an eye on Shaun Wane’s World Cup squad do battle down Wakefield’s left. Trinity have Tom Johnstone there who is as fast as they come and capable of scoring tries of all shapes and sizes. Meanwhile, McGillvary is almost unstoppable when he gets going. A clash of styles and a clash of quality down the wing.

Matty Ashurst vs Chris McQueen: Chris McQueen is a superb second-row and is leading the way in terms of try scoring forwards. Difficult to stop, the Wakefield pack will try and nullify his threat and have some threat of their own in the middle in the shape of the underrated Matty Ashurst.

Where the game will be won and lost:

Huddersfield have all the tools to be a top side as we’ve seen from them at home. They have size in the middle and dangerous wide players. However, away from home their attack isn’t as sharp and their defence is more easily breached. This has to change here or a Wakefield side with hardworking middles and threat out wide may shock them.

Score Prediction: Wakefield Trinity 12-22 Huddersfield Giants