The unstoppable juggernaut that is the Leigh Leopards resumes its incredible story on Saturday when Adrian Lam's side head to his old club Wigan Warriors in a Betfred Super League 'Battle of the Borough'.
That live Channel 4 game is followed by Salford Red Devils' attempt to upset the table-topping Catalans Dragons. Here's everything you need to know about Saturday's games as rugby league comes together once more to Tackle the Tough Stuff.
Wigan Warriors v Leigh Leopards
Where: DW Stadium, Wigan.
When: 1pm (BST)
TV: Channel 4
Wigan's last five: Won 26-12 v Warrington (Rd 19), Lost 26-27 @ Wakefield (Rd 18), Won 22-6 v Huddersfield (Rd 17), Won 26-6 @ Salford (Rd 16), Lost 16-34 @ St Helens (Rd 15)
Leigh's last five: Won 24-22 @ Salford (Rd 19), Won 34-16 @ Castleford (Rd 18), Won 34-4 v Hull KR (Rd 17), Lost 30-38 @ Catalans (Rd 16), Won 28-16 v Hull FC (Rd 15)
Betfred match winner odds (80 minutes): Wigan 4/9, Leigh 19/10, draw 18/1
Handicap betting (Leigh +5.5): Wigan 5/6, Leigh 10/11
Previous meetings:
Round 7, 2023: Leigh Leopards 6, Wigan Warriors 34
Round 17, 2021: Wigan Warriors 50, Leigh Centurions 6
Round 6, 2021: Leigh Centurions 16, Wigan Warriors 30
Round 1, 2021: Leigh Centurions 18, Wigan Warriors 20
Round 18, 2017: Leigh Centurions 50, Wigan Warriors 34
Total Super League meetings: 8 (Wigan 7, Leigh 1, no draws)
Wigan lost their grip on the Betfred Challenge Cup in last week's semi-final exit, meaning the Super League becomes their playground in 2023 on their annual trophy hunt. Matt Peet's side have had a tendency to suffer back-to-back defeats this term and there is no doubting that they will have been preparing at 100 per cent for the battle ahead against Leigh.
The Leopards have a big date to come at Wembley in the Challenge Cup final, but they also have a realistic hope of a Grand Final date and will be keen to get one over their local rivals for only the second time in Super League history. John Asiata has been the focus of a lot of talk off the field this week, and his tackle technique will be under the microscope at the DW.
Sportsman stat: Leigh haven't conceded 40 points in a game once this season, a remarkable turnaround for a club who had done so 31 times in their previous three Super League campaigns (14 in 2005, four in 2017 and 13 in 2021).
Catalans Dragons v Salford Red Devils
Where: Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan.
When: 6pm (BST) / 7pm (local)
TV: No UK screening
Catalans' last five: Won 14-12 @ St Helens (Rd 19), Lost 14-22 v Huddersfield (Rd 18), Won 28-18 @ Hull FC (Rd 17), Won 38-38 v Leigh (Rd 16), Won 38-4 v Hull KR (Rd 15)
Salford's last five: Lost 22-24 v Leigh (Rd 19), Lost 14-16 v Leeds (Rd 18), Lost 6-32 @ Wakefield (Rd 17), Lost 6-26 v Wigan (Rd 16), Won 42-10 @ Castleford (Rd 15)
Betfred match winner odds (80 minutes): Catalans 2/7, Salford 11/4, draw 20/1
Handicap betting (Salford +7.5): Catalans 4/5, Salford 20/21
Previous meetings:
Round 10, 2023: Salford Red Devils 16, Catalans Dragons 14
Round 24, 2022: Catalans Dragons 14, Salford Red Devils 46
Round 19, 2022: Salford Red Devils 32, Catalans Dragons 6
Round 9, 2022: Salford Red Devils 10, Catalans Dragons 36
Round 21, 2021: Salford Red Devils 14, Catalans Dragons 42
Total Super League meetings: 36 (Catalans 18, Salford 17, one draw)
In a wide-open rugby league season, Catalans Dragons look like they could be set to stake a claim for a first Grand Final win. But while they out-battled St Helens in their last league fixture, they will also be looking to banish the memories of their last run-out at the Gilbert Brutus, when they were humiliated by struggling Huddersfield Giants. Much might depend between now and the season's end on the readiness of Sam Tomkins to get through 80 tough minutes at a time.
Salford need a win from somewhere after the four successive losses which have seen them slip off the pace in the top-six tussle. With all sorts of rumours about the futures of some of their star players - not least Brodie Croft - Paul Rowley will be desperate for two points to stabilise the mood in the camp. They've already lost Tyler Dupree this week to Wigan Warriors, but Brad Singleton has been brought in from the DW as part of the deal.
Sportsman stat: In the previous 38 meetings between these sides in all competitions there have been a total of 13 scores of 40-plus points from one side or the other, including two in the epic 40-40 draw at the Gilbert Brutus in 2015.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject to Change
