With seven games remaining, both Trinity and Wigan are desperate for the two points from Friday night’s televised match.
Trinity recognise the importance of every game from now until the end of the campaign, and will be hoping to cause an upset when they travel over to the DW Stadium.
Wigan Warriors, on the other hand, will be out to avenge last week’s defeat 32-10 away to table topping St Helens, and put in a good performance for their home crowd.
As both teams have the ambition of achieving a top-five finish, and Trinity are desperate to move away from the relegation dogfight, we should expect a tough and tight encounter.
Trinity
Trinity find themselves four points from a play-off spot, but the threat of relegation still looms, with the Broncos only four points behind in bottom place.
Chris Chester had made one change to his 19-man squad, where Chris Annakin comes into the team, replacing an injured Craig Kopczak. Tyler Randell is also named, after a late withdrawal last week.
Chester has called on the Trinity faithful to “get behind the boys” for the remainder of the season, where they can hopefully climb out of a recent and difficult rut, and string some wins together.
Warriors
After a rocky and uncharacteristic start to the season, the current Champions currently occupy 5th place in the Betfred Super League table, four points ahead of Trinity.
This Friday evening, Wigan will undoubtedly be looking to bounce back, as prior to their derby clash, the Warriors had found themselves on a five game winning streak.
Adrian Lam’s side will be missing some key faces on Friday, as Joe Bullock and Tommy Leuluai drop out of the squad this week, after sustaining injuries against St Helens. Youngsters Jack Wells and Ethan Havard replace them, where Havard could potentially make his first team debut.
Wigan are also without skipper Sean O’Loughlin, Ben Flower, and Joe Greenwood.
Ones to watch include Oliver Gildart in the centres, and Wigan winger Joe Burgess, who both play pivotal roles in the Cherry and White side. Former 2015 Man of Steel Zak Hardaker is an another one Trinity will be looking out for, as well as influential playmaker and international George Williams.
Past Wakefield player and familiar face Jarrod Sammut is also a key one to watch, as he is no stranger to Trinity for his expansive and off-the-cuff style of play.
Previous meetings
Trinity last met with Wigan in early April, where they registered an incredible, yet very costly 30-20 win over the Warriors at the Mobile Rocket Stadium.
In 2018, Trinity were beaten by the Warriors away, 30-18, however they produced a convincing 32-16 victory on home turf.
They may have fell short away at The DW Stadium in the Super 8s, as Wigan went on to be crowned Champions of the campaign, yet Trinity fans will always have fond memories of hosting Wigan at home.
The unforgettable 62-0 victory in 2016 surely springs to mind, as well as Trinity’s 2017 season curtain closer, where Trinity triumphed 32-0 live on Sky Sports, finishing a place above the Warriors in the table; for the first time since 2009.
Squads
Trinity (19-man squad) – Annakin, Arundel, Batchelor, Brough, Caton-Brown, Crowther, England, Hampshire, Hirst, Jones-Bishop, Jowitt, King, Lyne, Miller, Pauli, Randell, Tanginoa, Tupou, Wood.
Warriors (19-man squad) – Burgess, Bryne, Clubb, Farrell, Gildart, Hankinson, Hardaker, Havard, Isa, Marshall, Navarrete, Partington, Powell, Sammut, Sarginson, Shorrocks, Smithies, Wells, Williams.