Huddersfield Giants vs Wigan Warriors Prediction: Away side backed for big win

The Wigan Warriors juggernaut rolls on with a trip to west Yorkshire to face Huddersfield Giants in a contest that very few would expect the hosts to win (15:00, Sky Sports+).

While the Warriors are right on the shoulders of leaders Hull KR at the top, Luke Robinson's Giants have just one win to their name all season and can expect a torrid night against the defending champions on the neutral ground of Dewsbury, with a Stereophonics gig taking priority at the John Smith's Stadium.

Huddersfield Giants vs Wigan Warriors Odds

Huddersfield Giants are 7/1 to take a shock win with Wigan Warriors available at 1/12. A draw can be backed at 22/1.

Team news

Huddersfield are without key winger Adam Swift but Matty English is back after a head injury.

Jacob Gagai is also included as is new recruit Tristan Powell. Huddersfield will have benefitted from the week off for the Cup final, with various bumps and bruises having been reported.

As for the champions, Wigan make just one change to their squad from last time out. Hooker Tom Forber has been playing on dual registration for Oldham in the Championship but is named in the Warriors squad in place of Kian McDermott.

Still out is Abbas Miski as he recovers from a knee injury, and rugby union convert Christian Wade is not yet ready after making his debut for the club in the reserves last week.

Luke Thompson's broken ribs are given a further week to heal while Sam Walters is out long-term with a fractured fibula.

Handicap 3-way Alternative 1: Wigan -24 @ 8/5

The only thing that could save Huddersfield in this one is the unknown quantity of the game being played at Dewsbury. It isn't a great pitch and could be a good leveller at a lower-league ground.

That said, I can't see that getting in Wigan's way as they have looked like they mean business in the last few months. Huddersfield have not.

So this could be an ugly night if Robinson doesn't get the effort and commitment that he constantly demands from his players. He certainly got that in the last outing before the mini-break for the Challenge Cup final. The Giants were very unfortunate to lose 28-24 in a thriller against Leigh.

That though was a third defeat on the spin since what has proved the only victory of the campaign so far - against Hull FC at Magic.

So can Huddersfield keep this close? Possibly. If they go hard at Wigan early and use the change of scenery to their advantage.

But I still think Wigan have far too much quality and am backing them to boost their points difference here with a healthy win.

Jai Field anytime tryscorer  @ 4/6

I'm nothing if not predictable with some of my anytime try scorer selections but I'm a tight Yorkshireman who refuses to change a winning formula without a good reason to do so.

If Wigan play well then Jai field scores tries. If Jai Field scores tries then Wigan win games. It really is that simple.

Ignore the odds, Wigan will win this game and Jai Field will score. So long as he doesn't choose instead to go to the Stereophonics gig too.

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