St Helens vs Wigan Warriors Predictions: A Good Friday in store for Saints

The big one in the Betfred Super League this week is the blockbuster clash between great rivals St Helens and Wigan at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Good Friday (15:00).

It's THE must-watch game over Easter - forget Manchester City vs Arsenal - according to Saints legend Paul Sculthorpe, who has previewed the encounter below.

I honestly think this could be an all-timer. Both teams, the top two in the Betfred Super League, are in good form and genuinely believe they will win.

I can’t believe it’ll be the 20 year anniversary of the infamous ‘Scully & Faz’ handbags! Obviously I’m referring to the humdinger of a Good Friday clash at Knowsley Road back in 2004, which saw both sides erupt as the game boiled over. We drew 21-21 that day, unsurprisingly as there is usually very little between the sides on these occasions.

One eight-year-old who was on the terraces that day was Saints' in-form back-rower Matt Whitley.

Whitley, who joined his hometown club from Catalans Dragons during pre-season, has been in sensational form so far this season. He has spoken about his excitement of playing in a Saints-Wigan derby for the first time, in front of a sell-out crowd.

He said: "The derby speaks for itself. It attracts a lot of fans and neutrals who love watching two of the best teams going up against each other. Seeing the Saints fans and the atmosphere they will build towards the game, it's going to be electric." I can’t disagree. If ever there's a time I miss playing, it's days like this.

I’ve already mentioned the form of both teams - Wigan are yet to lose a game this year and Saints have only suffered a shock defeat to Salford - but in this fixture, previous results and form counts for little.

That being said, Paul Wellens' men certainly come into the biggest game of the season on a high, having turned over Leeds Rhinos at Headingley two weeks in a row - on the second occasion knocking them out of the Betfred Challenge Cup to set up a headline-grabbing quarter-final tie against Warrington Wolves.

Half-back Lewis Dodd is hoping to recover from injury in time to play on Friday, but if not Moses Mbye will again be ready to step up. Mark Percival is now available following a suspension, so there are definitely some big calls for our head coach to make.

The game will be extremely physical from the off, with the two best forward packs in the league aiming to dominate the other. The likes of Walmsley and Knowles up against Thompson and Dupree should be mouth-watering, then throw in the likes of Welsby, Lomax and the returning Tommy Makinson vs Field, French and Wardle and it's an absolute cracker.

I'm hoping the electric atmosphere at the Totally Wicked Stadium will prove key and Saints can take the win. I fancy the lads to do it by eight or more points, which is a tempting 8/5 with my good friends at Betfred.

Find more Super League Tips here at Betfred Insights