SL Preview: London v Widnes

Two of last season’s strugglers, London and Widnes, have the chance to get their season off to a perfect start when they meet at Twickenham Stoop on Sunday.

The last time the two sides met in the capital, the Broncos pinched a win on the hooter, and they will be looking to have a good start to the season under new permanent head coach Tony Rea, who had a significant impact during his spell in charge at the back end of last season.

Widnes are without their two marquee signings of the close season, in Kevin Brown and Gareth Hock, and that could well prove to be the difference.

The Vikings managed just one win away from the artifical turf at the Stobart Stadium in 2012, and it took them six games to get off the mark. They’ll be looking for a marked improvement on both fronts this time round.

London 19-man squad: Bailey, Bryant, Channing, Dixon, Dorn, Gower, Howell, Hurst, Kaufusi, Krasniqi, Lee, Melling, O’Callaghan, Randall, Robertson, Wheeldon, Witt.

Widnes 19-man squad: Allen, Briscoe, Cahill, Clarke, Craven, Cross, Dean, Flynn, Gerrard, Hanbury, Isa, Joseph, Leuluai, Marsh, Mellor, O’Carroll, Pickersgill, White.

Prediction: Could go either way, but Tony Rea’s Broncos will nick it – Home win.

Stats:

Widnes are seeking their first away win against London since a 19-18 victory at Griffin Park, Brentford on 11 May, 2002. The Broncos have won six successive home matches with the Vikings since then.

Super League summary:

London Broncos won 10
Widnes won 3
London Broncos highest score: 68-10 (H, 2005) (Widest margin: 66-8, H, 2005; 68-10, H, 2005)
Widnes highest score: 38-30 (H, 2012) (Widest margin: 32-20, H, 2003)