Wigan Warriors can clinch the Betfred Super League League Leaders’ Shield on Friday night if they secure a win against Leigh Leopards at Leigh Sports Village.
The Cherry and Whites are top of the table, but only thanks to their superior points difference, with Catalans Dragons and St Helens also on 38 points and that pair will hope Wigan fluff their lines on Friday.
Hosts Leigh have already surpassed expectations and their place in the play-offs is already secure ahead of their final game of the regular season.
Despite having home advantage, Leigh are 2/1 to win on Friday. They have struggled against Wigan of late, though, losing the last five meetings between the two clubs.
The tie is 18/1 for Friday’s fixture, while Wigan are 2/5 to win and to secure the second domestic trophy available this season.
Team news
Adrian Lam confirmed that John Asiata, Frankie Halton, and Zak Hardaker are all struggling with injuries in his pre-match press conference, but Asiata and Halton have still been named in his 21-man squad.
A broken hand for Hardaker may mean he misses the rest of the season.
Wigan coach Matty Peet has named an unchanged 21-man squad for the trip to Leigh, but Liam Farrell and Brad O’Neill should feature after being rested last week against Castleford.
Liam Byrne misses out, with Wigan confirming earlier this week that he would miss the rest of the campaign.
Wigan Warriors -6 @ 20/21
Wigan’s squad need no extra motivation for Friday’s encounter, as the club try to win their first League Leaders’ Shield for the first time in three years
The Cherry and Whites have been in incredible form of late, winning seven in a row, including a 44-18 success over Leigh at the end of July.
Leigh have already won this season, having lifted the Challenge Cup, and injuries are starting to derail their plans at the worst possible time.
In the playoffs, anything can happen, but Wigan have set the standard over the last few months and will get their hands on the League Leaders’ Shield after a routine win.
Abbas Miski to score anytime @ EVS
Wigan winger Miski has personal pride at stake on Friday, as he can move to the top of the tryscorer charts if he betters Tom Johnstone’s efforts for Catalans.
Miski and Johnstone have scored 27 tries already this year, and the former has been in incredible form of late for the Warriors.
The Lebanon international scored five tries against Castleford last week and he will be tough to stop on what could be a huge night for Wigan.
He also got a hat-trick against Leigh in the previous meeting between the two clubs, so we expect him to cross over once more.
