Wigan Warriors vs Huddersfield Giants Predictions: Warriors to tame Giants

Newly-crowned World Club Champions Wigan host a Huddersfield side licking their wounds from a 28-0 thumping by former champions St Helens (kick-off Friday March 1st, 20:00 GMT).

Huddersfield raised their fans’ hopes for an improved season under Ian Watson when they stunned Leigh Leopards in round one, but were comfortably contained at Saints and even an extended World Club Challenge hangover for Wigan is unlikely to influence the destination of the two Betfred Super League points here.

The Warriors underlined their class with that stunning, albeit controversial win over NRL champions Penrith Panthers, and look in no mood to let up against the Giants.

Team News

The World Club Champions will be without hooker Kruise Leeming and prop forward Mike Cooper, with Luke Thompson brought back into the squad and young half-back Jack Farrimond also included.

Former Leeds hooker Leeming was struggling with an ankle injury in the build-up to the Penrith game but was declared fit before lasting only 12 minutes prior to hobbling off. He will miss 2-3 weeks.

Veteran hooker Cooper is out with a knee injury with boss Matt Peet awaiting further tests before he knows the recovery timescale. Cooper's England team-mate Thompson missed the Penrith game after failing his Head Injury Assessment but is now clear to return.

Huddersfield have star man Jake Connor back after he missed the 28-0 home defeat by Saints. Connor will go straight back into a side that lacked invention in his absence.

Wigan Warriors -14 points @ EVS

Part of me is wary of the ‘Cup Final hangover' that usually sees Betfred Challenge Cup winners struggle in their next Super League game. Wigan will have celebrated this Penrith success but they are far too professional a club to have let it impact this week’s preparations.

Leeming and Cooper are big absentees, but Thompson’s return is equally sizeable and although I expect a spirited Giants effort I can see the Warriors covering the handicap.

Connor – as always – holds the key for Huddersfield, and if he can get amongst it and cause Wigan to lose their heads then the visitors have half a chance.

Jake Wardle anytime tryscorer @ 7/4

Wardle’s try against Penrith proved one of the most controversial moments in recent memory, as the centre celebrated grounding the ball short of the line, while both referee and video referee deemed it had touched the whitewash and awarded the score.

After successfully backing Nathan Cleary as an anytime tryscorer in that game at 4/1, this week we will go for former Giants man Wardle to make it two from two.

The Warriors tend to share their tries around their strike players, so Wardle, Miski, French, Field and Marshall are all very strong bets.

Super League tips from Betfred Insights.