Wigan Warriors vs Castleford Tigers Prediction: Hosts backed for big win

Former champions Wigan and struggling Castleford bring round eight of Betfred Super League to a close on Sunday afternoon, with the Warriors huge favourites to keep pace at the top of the table. (Kick-off 3pm)

Wigan bounced back from their Easter derby defeat to St Helens by reaching the Challenge Cup semi-finals and should be too strong for a Tigers team who sit 14th out of 14.

My Wigan Warriors vs Castleford Tigers predictions follow below.

Wigan Warriors vs Castleford Tigers Odds

Wigan are priced at 1/11 to win this one, Castleford are 7/1 and a draw is 20/1.

Team News

Wigan's narrow Cup win at Wakefield was the perfect response to an extraordinary late defeat to Saints on Good Friday, and head coach Matt Peet makes two changes to his 21-man squad for the visit of the Tigers to the Brick Community Stadium.

Both of those changes are enforced and one of them is key, with suspensions ruling out two players for the next three games. Half-back Harry Smith is the notable one, his absence will force a rethink in the halves after a ban for "unnecessary contact with a player who is/may be injured" in the Trinity win. Walters was sanctioned for a headbutt in a fiery contest, so there will be at least two fresh names involved this week.

The good news in the pack is a timely return for prop Ethan Havard after concussion protocols, with Jonny Vaughan the other man to come in.

The Tigers only name a 20-man squad, with head coach Ryan Carr missing veteran forward Joe Westerman. Winger Semi Valemei is back though, while young half-back Jenson Windley is also included.

Jake Thewlis has gone back to Warrington after his short-term loan and hooker Tom Forber is back at Wigan too.

First Half Handicap Wigan -9.5 points @ 8/11

The Warriors are huge 1/11 favourites to win this one but really had to work for their 26-16 win at Castleford in round one. The Warriors look a much better side since then however and should win this one with a bit to spare, but the absence of Smith and his kicking game could be key. The ball is in Smith's hands on the last tackle of pretty much every Wigan set so his absence will be felt.

It already feels like another year of toil for the Tigers, who have had a fortnight to stew on their 34-0 derby defeat to Wakefield and have won just twice all year.

Cas have conceded more points than any other side in Super League - a walloping 214 in just seven matches so far. So Jai Field and co should be salivating at the opportunity of a home game against a defence that is shipping over 30 points per match.

As such the handicap is pretty big at 22, which a full-throttle Wigan should surpass with ease. My only doubt is how fluid they will be in attack given the absence of Smith. I expect a big start from Wigan though, and as such am focusing my attention this week on a 9.5 first-half handicap, which I expect the home team to outscore.

Jai Field anytime tryscorer @ 4/6

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