Wigan Warriors vs Castleford Tigers Prediction: Hosts to push on

Wigan Warriors should strengthen their grip on second spot in the Betfred Super League when they host a Castleford Tigers side who sprung a huge shock last week to derail Wakefield's playoff hopes with a win in the West Yorkshire derby. (Kick-off 8pm)

The Tigers still have nothing to play for but Wigan's derby win over in-form St Helens served notice that the champions should be written off this year at anyone's peril. Below you can find my Wigan Warriors vs Castleford Tigers predictions.

Team news

Warriors head coach Matty Peet makes just one change to his side after their impressive 18-4 win over Saints.

Prop Patrick Mago is back in the squad following head injury protocols, with Peet opting to rest goal-kicking centre Adam Keighran.

Castleford have a stronger-looking squad this week than the one that beat Trinity 26-22. Winger Jason Qareqare is back, and so too is centre Zac Cini after a six-week absence. Qareqare has played just once in Super League this season, scoring twice.

Half-back Jenson Windley is also added to Chris Chester's 21-man squad having missed the last two games with concussion.

The three to drop out for Cas are the suspended Jermeiah Simbiken, on-loan prop Hugo Salabia who has been recalled by Hull FC, and youngster Alfie Lindsey.

Wigan Warriors vs Castleford Tigers Odds

Wigan are 1/25 to win this game, Castleford are 14/1. A draw can be backed at 28/1.

Winning margin Wigan 26-30 points  @ 9/2

Wigan have won their last 12 games against Castleford and I see nothing to suggest they won't win this one too.

Not many saw Castleford's win coming against Wakefield last week though - I certainly didn't - so there is still an element of danger to a side whose shackles are well and truly off with nothing to play for.

That said, we are talking about the champions, and Wigan are far too professional to let their standards slip.

This is the time of the year when Peet's men ease up through the gears to hit the playoffs at full throttle, and this is another important game for them to maintain that momentum.

Wigan need to win to keep on course to finish second, with Leeds right behind them and those two sides set to meet in the final game of the season.

The Warriors have won three on the spin since defeat to leaders Hull KR and this will be number four. I have Wigan down to win by at least 20, but the handicap of 34 feels a little tricky to me.

I'm going to take a punt on the winning margin market this week and have a look at Wigan to win by 26-30 points.

Junior Nsemba anytime try scorer @ 6/4

With a hefty win expected, you have to be a little more creative to find value in the anytime scorer market this week.

Usual suspects Jai Field ((2/5) and Liam Marshall (4/11) feel almost guaranteed a try, having combined for seven tries between them in the last two games.

But I'm going to look at the pack this week and of Wigan's forwards, Liam Farrell and Junior Nsemba are to me the biggest try threats, and I feel like Nsemba is coming into some pretty nice form.

He is my pick to cross this week.

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