Wakefield Trinity vs Wigan Warriors Prediction: Field to star again for champions

The Betfred Super League champion Wigan Warriors head for a potentially tricky tie at Wakefield Trinity's DIY Kitchens Stadium on Friday looking to keep up the pressure on leaders Hull KR (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Matty Peet's Warriors have won nine games in a row since defeat at Leeds Rhinos in March and come up against a Trinity side who suffered an agonising home defeat by Leigh Leopards last weekend. Check out my Wakefield Trinity vs Wigan Warriors predictions, plus full team news and Betfred's latest match odds.

Wakefield Trinity vs Wigan Warriors Odds

If you fancy Trinity to get the job done on Friday, then the 11/4 odds on them to win in 80 minutes will appeal. Wigan, on the other hand, are 2/7 for the two points and the draw is 20/1.

On the handicap, the two-way bracket gives Wakefield a 9.5-point advantage. Against that backdrop, Wakey are 5/6 and Wigan 10/11.

Team News

Wakefield boss Daryl Powell names the same 21-man squad as he looks to grab a first win in three following that defeat against the Leopards last week.

Given the competition for places, however, there is every chance we will see a change or two in the matchday 17, with winger Lachlan Walmsley pushing for a recall along with the likes of Cameron Scott, Jayden Myers and Seth Nikotemo.

Rugby League Odds

The big team news comes for the champions and is great news for Wigan fans.

Star half-back Bevan French and England prop Luke Thompson are both named in the squad after injury, with French working his way back to fitness following a calf issue and Thompson nursing broken ribs.

French could play having been an unused member of the squad last week when Wigan left it very late before rescuing victory away against Huddersfield Giants.

Thompson replaces Harvey Makin in the only change to last week's squad.

Handicap 3-way Alternative 1:  Wigan -14 @ 13/8

Wigan come into this game off the back of a big winning run, with Wakefield suffering back-to-back defeats, but in truth we could easily be previewing a Wigan side who lost against Huddersfield and a Trinity side fresh from beating Leigh.

Such are the fine margins, both of those results went the other way, Wigan winning right on the final hooter to deny the Giants a famous - and what would have been deserved - win, while Wakefield also conceded a late try to lose 24-20 at home to the Leopards.

So big responses are expected from both sides and this could therefore be a really good game.

I can't see Wigan playing as badly as they did last week. It was a very odd Warriors display - perhaps the neutral ground at Dewsbury's Flair Stadium was a factor - and they will be right back on form this week I am sure. I expect Wakefield to go well again too, but I think that could prove irrelevant if we see the real Wigan again.

If French is fit to return that will be a massive positive swing for the champions and I would be very confident of an away win if his name is on the team sheet.

Either way, I have Wigan to win this in any case and extend their purple patch. I'm looking at Wigan by two to three scores.

Jai Field anytime tryscorer  @ 4/6

No surprise to see me sticking to my regular returner in the anytime tryscorer market.

Jai Field is at his very best right now and, as I stated in last week's column, if Wigan win Jai Field scores, and if Jai Field scores then Wigan win. Or words to that effect!

Wigan will win this game I believe, even if Trinity come out firing in front of a boisterous home crowd. And if Wigan do win, then Field will be a big factor once again.

If you're still counting - he has 16 Betfred Super League tries, leading the way at the moment. And yes, we have been tipping him from right at the start of the season.

If you are after a little more value then Bevan French is available at 10/11 - he is currently on 99 Super League tries so this could be a milestone match.

Find more Rugby League Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights