SL Preview: Warrington v Wigan (Mon)

Third-placed Warrington Wolves host the Super League leaders Wigan Warriors at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Monday night.

Matches between these two North-West rivals are always highly anticipated encounters, and in the reverse of this fixture earlier in the season the sides could not be separated in a 17-17 draw.

The Wolves have a near full-strength team available as they have veterans Adrian Morley and Michael Monaghan back with only Rhys Evans and Ben Harrison ruled out.

As expected Wigan are without several big names for the trip with injury ruling out Blake Green, Ben Flower, Gil Dudson, Michael McIlorum and captain Sean O’Loughlin.

On a positive note for the Warriors, forwards Liam Farrell and Lee Mossop are both set to make their 100th appearance for the club.

Warrington 19-man squad: Atkins, Briers, Carvell, Cooper, Currie, Grix, Higham, Hill, Hodgson, McCarthy, J. Monaghan, M. Monaghan, Morley, Myler, Ratchford, C. Riley, Waterhouse, Westwood, Wood.

Wigan 19-man squad: Burke, Charnley, Crosby, Farrell, Gelling, Goulding, Hansen, Hughes, Lauaki, Lloyd, Mossop, Powell, Richards, Smith, Spencer, S. Tomkins, L. Tomkins, Tuson, Williams.

Prediction: Warrington to win in what should be another classic.

Stats:

Warrington’s Joel Monaghan has scored a try in each of the Wolves’ last four meetings with Wigan, including a brace in the last meeting between the two sides.

Super League summary:

Wigan won 24 (includes win in 2003 play-offs)

Warrington won 15

2 draws

Wigan highest score. 58-4 (H, 2002) (also widest margin)

Warrington highest score. 47-38 (H, 2001) (Widest margin. 30-10, H, 2012)