SL preview: Widnes v Castleford (Sun)

Head coach Daryl Powell has made one change to the Castleford squad to face Widnes at the Select Security Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

James Clare could make his first appearance since the win at Wigan in June as he returns to the squad in the place of Keith Mason who has a nasal infection.

Jonathan Walker, Oliver Holmes, Jake Webster (all knee) and Lee Gilmour (shoulder) remain out with injuries.

Vikings head coach Denis Betts acknowledges that his team will have to improve massively against the Tigers.

“We’ll certainly have our hands full, and given that it’s a game between two teams fighting for the same spot on the table, we know that it’s going to be a tough test.”

Widnes 19-man squad: Ah Van, Brown, Cahill, Clarke, Gilmore, Gore, Hanbury, Hock, Isa, Joseph, Kavanagh, Lawton, Leuluai, Marsh, Mellor, O’Carroll, Owens, Phelps, Winterstein.

Castleford 19-man squad: Owen, Carney, Shenton, Dixon, Chase, Ellis, Clark, Huby, Hauraki, Millington, Milner, Massey, Thompson, Tansey, Fleming, Clare, Martin, Boyle, Channing.

Prediction: Castleford were unlucky last week and showed a lot of promise, while Widnes were dismal. Away win.

Stats:

Kirk Dixon needs 16 points to reach 1,000 for his career.

Dixon has scored 948 points (79 tries, 316 goals) for Castleford since 2007.

He was previously with Hull FC (2004-2006), scoring 36 points (7 tries, 4 goals)

2013 meeting – Castleford 28-26 Widnes (SLR12, 13/4/13)

Super League summary:

Widnes won 5

Castleford won 6

Widnes highest score: 40-10 (H, 2012) (also widest margin)

Castleford highest score: 42-8 (H, 2004) (Widest margin: 40-2, H, 2003)