Warrington Wolves vs Catalans Dragons Prediction: Wolves to bounce back from Leeds loss

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Warrington Wolves vs Catalans Dragons Odds

Warrington Wolves are 1/3, implying a 66.7% probability of success, Catalans Dragons are 13/5, and the draw is 16/1.

Team News

Warrington head coach Sam Burgess reacts to that humbling by the Rhinos by making two changes to his 21-man squad for another home game this week.

Forward Toff Sipley is injured and drops out with his place taken by promising young forward Max Wood, who has been in and out of the team and most recently out on loan this season.

Full-back Cai Taylor-Wray continues to struggle in a season blighted by injuries after a flying start to the campaign. The youngster was named in the last two squads without making the team and now drops out to take more time to recover fully. His place is taken by Tom McKinney. Josh Thewlis will continue at full-back where he has been excellent.

After a year on the sidelines recovering from an ACL injury, young outside back Arron Lindop returned for the Wire last week and was full of energy - he keeps his place in the squad in the absence of Toby King, so it should be Lindop and Matty Ashton as the left edge again.

Key forward Sam Stone is still sidelined and told me last week he was 3-4 weeks away. Another key forward Joe Philbin is out for a similar period, leaving the Wire a little light in the pack against an always-imposing Catalans front line.

Veteran half-back Marc Sneyd returned to the squad last week after a foot injury but was not named in the matchday 17 as Burgess keeps faith with his young pairing of Ewan Irwin and Leon Hayes. Oli Leyland continues to work his way back to fitness with the reserves after his ACL injury.

Catalans make a few changes as they bid to maintain their upward momentum under head coach John Cartwright.

Captain Ben Garcia returns in a huge boost, with the France international having been absent since round 13. Josh Simm returns out wide and Lenny Marc is also included.

The three to make way are wingers Tommy Makinson and Leo Darrelatour, along with Clement Martin.

Handicap 3-way: Warrington Wolves -12  @ 21/20

We were right to go against the odds and back Leeds to end Warrington's 100 per cent home record seven days ago.

It was a strange game in which the Wolves started strongly but conceded against the run of play and then faded alarmingly to lose 34-6. Taking Leeds with a -4 start at 8/5 felt bold at the time but was ultimately a very conservative return.

I spoke to a lot of Warrington fans at the game, with opinion seemingly divided between whether the forward pack or inexperienced halves were to blame for the lack of scoring threat. Only a late Ashton try prevented a nilling as Leeds looked formidable.

As for the Catalans, they returned both of our picks with full-back Charlie Staines crossing for his try at 4/5 in a win that saw the French side beat the 14-point handicap for another 6/5 return.

So can we keep our own form going this week?

It is a fascinating match-up this. A month ago you wouldn't blink in backing a Warrington win. But how will they react to a first home defeat against a team running into some pretty hot form as the Dragons tend to do in the summer months for which they tend to be better acclimatised than most.

First up a dose of context before we write Warrington off and predict the traditional crumble. Last week was just one match. They were blunt and I felt a little meek. But it was one game against the league leaders. They remain second.

The Dragons may have won three of the last four to climb up the table but those were all games we had them down to win - victories over promoted sides Bradford, York and fellow strugglers Castleford. In amongst that was a 40-16 home defeat by Wigan.

So yes Catalans might see this as the perfect chance to go and win at Warrington, but I feel they might be hit by a response. The Wolves also have a secret weapon in assistant coach Steve McNamara - the Dragons' long-time head coach, who knows better than anyone what they will be up against.

As tempting as it feels therefore to tip another surprise result, I feel Warrington will get back on the horse with a win. But may not have it all their own way.