We are heading towards the final third of a Betfred Super League season like no other, with all sorts still to play for in what could well be the most unpredictable campaign of the summer era. And champions St Helens face a top-six battle on Friday when they face Warrington Wolves in Round 18.
Here is everything you need to know about the feature night of the weekend.
Wakefield Trinity v Wigan Warriors
Where: Be Well Support Stadium, Wakefield.
When: 7.45pm (BST)
TV: No UK screening
Wakefield's last five: Won 32-6 v Salford (Rd 17), Lost 12-28 @ Hull KR (Rd 16), Won 24-14 v Leeds (Rd 15), Lost 4-30 v Leigh (Rd 14), Lost 6-36 @ Catalans (Rd 13)
Wigan's last five: Won 22-6 v Huddersfield (Rd 17), Won 26-6 @ Salford (Rd 16), Lost 16-34 @ St Helens (Rd 15), Lost 22-46 v Catalans (Rd 14), Won 26-22 @ Hull KR (Rd 13)
Betfred match winner odds (80 minutes): Wakefield 11/4, Wigan 2/7, draw 20/1
First try scorer odds: Bevan French (Wigan) 7/1, Liam Marshall (Wigan) 8/1, Abbas Miski (Wigan) 8/1, Jai Field (Wigan) 10/1, Lee Kershaw (Wakefield) 12/1
Previous meetings:
Round 10, 2023: Wigan Warriors 22, Wakefield Trinity 6
Round 2, 2023: Wigan Warriors 60, Wakefield Trinity 0
Round 23, 2022: Wakefield Trinity 30, Wigan Warriors 12
Round 17, 2022: Wakefield Trinity 22, Wigan Warriors 46
Round 9, 2022: Wigan Warriors 54, Wakefield Trinity 10
Total Super League meetings: 60 (Wakefield 14, Wigan 46, no draws)
After 14 rounds without a win, Wakefield actually come into the clash with Wigan in a decent lick of form. Trinity have won their last two home fixtures - against Leeds Rhinos and Salford Red Devils - and even in the defeat at Hull Kingston Rovers between those victories they put in a really good effort. Mark Applegarth will be hoping his side can back up with another two points as they set about making a late surge to overhaul one or both of Castleford Tigers and Huddersfield Giants on the ladder, but they may have to do so without Luke Gale, who is out with a suspected broken leg.
The Warriors are looking to make the most of the open nature of the comp this year by securing a top-two finish. Wins over Salford and Huddersfield in their last couple of outings have lifted them above Warrington into third with only Catalans Dragons and Leigh Leopards ahead of them. Kaide Ellis is still out through suspension, while Matt Peet is also without experienced hooker Sam Powell.
Sportsman stat: Wigan's 46 wins over Wakefield mark their third-highest tally against a single club in Super League, behind Salford (49) and Hull FC (48).
Castleford Tigers v Leigh Leopards
Where: Mend-A-Hose Jungle, Castleford.
When: 8pm (BST)
TV: No UK screening
Castleford's last five: Lost 0-22 @ St Helens (Rd 17), Won 23-14 v Warrington (Rd 16), Lost 10-42 v Salford (Rd 15), Won 26-24 v Leeds (Rd 14), Lost 4-20 @ Huddersfield (Rd 13)
Leigh's last five: Won 34-4 v Hull KR (Rd 17), Lost 30-38 @ Catalans (Rd 16), Won 28-16 v Hull FC (Rd 15), Won 30-4 v Wakefield (Rd 14), Won 30-12 v Warrington (Rd 13)
Betfred match winner odds (80 minutes): Castleford 11/5, Leigh 4/11, draw 20/1
First try scorer odds: Josh Charnley (Leigh) 6/1, Tom Briscoe (Leigh) 9/1, Bureta Faraimo (Castleford) 11/1, Jason Qreqare (Castleford) 11/1, Elliot Wallis (Castleford) 12/1
Milestones:
Liam Watts could make his 300th Super League appearance. He has so far added 107 games for Castleford to his 135 with Hull FC and 57 at Hull Kingston Rovers.
With two more tries, Joe Mellor will bring up a century of four-pointers in his career.
Previous meetings:
Round 11, 2023: Leigh Leopards 30, Castleford Tigers 6
Round 3, 2021: Castleford Tigers 52, Leigh Centurions 16
Round 16, 2017: Leigh Centurions 0, Castleford Tigers 38
Round 1, 2017: Castleford Tigers 44, Leigh Centurions 16
Stones Bitter Championship Round 22, 1994: Castleford 70, Leigh 6
Total Super League meetings: 4 (Castleford 3, Leigh 1, no draws)
Castleford's wins over Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves in recent weeks have helped to stave off Wakefield Trinity's mini revival down at the bottom of the league. But Andy Last will be keen for his side to keep up the momentum on home soil after their 23-14 success over the Wolves in Round 16. Jordan Johnstone could make his Cas debut after joining on loan, while Elliot Wallis is available after a pec injury.
Leigh were excellent last time out in hammering Hull Kingston Rovers 34-4, having given league leaders Catalans Dragons a real scare the previous week. That loss to Les Dracs in the south of France is the Leopards' only defeat in their last 11 league and cup fixtures, and their position as the story of the season has long since been secure. Adrian Lam will be happy to be able to call upon John Asiata after the inspirational loose forward left the field during the first half of the win over Hull KR.
Sportsman stat: Leigh are just 46 points away from setting their highest-scoring Super League return, despite still being 10 games away from the end of the season.
Warrington Wolves v St Helens
Where: Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington.
When: 8pm (BST)
TV: Sky Sports Arena
Warrington's last five: Lost 6-22 v Leeds (Rd 17), Lost 14-23 @ Castleford (Rd 16), Won 30-26 v Huddersfield (Rd 15), Lost 18-30 v Hull FC (Rd 14) Lost 12-30 @ Leigh (Rd 13)
St Helens' last five: Won 22-0 v Castleford (Rd 17), Lost 6-34 @ Hull FC (Rd 16), Won 34-16 v Wigan (Rd 15), Won 48-6 v Huddersfield (Rd 14), Won 13-12 @ Leeds (Rd 13)
Betfred match winner odds (80 minutes): Warrington 11/5, St Helens 4/11, draw 20/1
First try scorer odds: Tee Ritson (St Helens) 7/1, Will Hopoate (St Helens) 8/1, Jon Bennison (St Helens) 8/1, Jack Welsby (St Helens) 9/1, Matt Dufty (Warrington) 9/1
Milestones:
Warrington's Stefan Ratchford is just six points away from reaching 1,500 in his Super League career, while team-mate Ben Currie needs two tries to bring up a century in all competitions.
Mark Percival will make it to 100 Super League tries with three more, and Konrad Hurrell is on 99 across his entire career.
Previous meetings:
Round 10, 2023: St Helens 28, Warrington Wolves 6
Round 13, 2022: Warrington Wolves 10, St Helens 12
Round 5, 2022: St Helens 28, Warrington Wolves 2
Round 22, 2021: Warrington Wolves 14, St Helens 24
Round 10, 2021: St Helens 2, Warrington Wolves 6
Total Super League meetings: 73 (Warrington 16, St Helens 55, two draws)
The Wolves might well come into this Round 18 fixture ahead of St Helens on the ladder but they are one of the most out-of-form teams in Super League amid a recent slump which has reduced the former leaders to a mad scramble for a top-six spot. Daryl Powell finds himself under fresh pressure to get the wheels back on the wagon after a dismal first full season in charge in 2022.
Saints have been much more convincing in the last couple of months, with just a single loss away to Hull FC in their last eight league and cup fixtures. They could make real ground on the top three spots with a win at the Halliwell Jones, with memories of their difficult start to the league campaign fading with each impressive win.
Sportsman stat: Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook will pass Danny Tickle to reach ninth spot in the all-time Super League appearances list if he gets a game on Friday night. The London-born forward has 419 showings to his name so far, 63 behind team-mate and list-topper James Roby.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject to Change
