Wigan Warriors vs Catalans Dragons Prediction: Wigan can triumph despite loss of Jai Field

The Wigan stumble continues, with the champions losing at home against Hull FC last week, but this looks like the perfect opportunity to rediscover form against a Catalans Dragons team who are completely out of sorts. (20:00, Sky Sports Mix)

The French side at least have a new permanent head coach in Joel Tomkins, but they need to start finding some results as they lie a massive nine points off the playoff places. 

Team News

Wigan boss Matt Peet is without star man Jai Field as the champions look to get back to winning ways. The try machine full-back picked up a head knock in the defeat against Hull and is ruled out through concussion protocols.

Winger Zack Eckersley is included in the initial squad but will be a major doubt after ending up in hospital with a huge whack in that Hull game - I can't see Peet actually pLaying him this week in a game that the Warriors should win anyway,

Half-back Jack Farrimond is named after a hamstring injury. Youngster Noah Hodkinson is included and could be asked to deputise for Field at full-back.

Kian McDermott is the other man to drop out along with Field.

Still sidelined are Bevan French, Luke Thompson and Abbas Miski.

Rugby League Odds

New Catalans boss Joel Tomins makes three changes, bringing in Fouad Yaha, Jordan Dezaria and Bayler Sironen. The men to drop out are Arthur Romano, Paul Seguier and Nick Cotric.

Hooker Denive Balmforth is again included after his loan spell from Hull Fc was extended.

Wigan Warriors vs Catalans Dragons Odds

Wigan are 1/20, or a 95.2% chance, to win, while Catalans are 9/1, with the draw at 25/1.

Wigan -15.5 & Jake Wardle to score a try @ 13/8

It sums up how bad Catalans are at the moment that Wigan have lost three of their last five matches and still have a handicap in this one of around 22 points. That's a huge handicap for a team as strangely off colour as the champions have been, and even with their lack of form and personnel the home side should win this one comfortably. 

The Warriors won 48-0 away at Catalans two months ago and the Dragons were a disgrace. Steve McNamara has departed as head coach and there is now at least some stability in selection, but they have no chance of beating even a Wigan side struggling for form.

Liam Marshall needs two tries to hit a milestone 150 Super League tries so that may be worth a shout in this one, but I'm looking at a selection that sees Wigan win by a few scores and one of their key men cross for a try.

You can get 13/8 on England winger Jake Wardle crossing in 80 minutes and Wigan winning by 16 or more, and that is my first selection this week.

Noah Hodkinson anytime try @ 6/4

My second tip is a bit of a leap of faith given the uncertain team selection with Wigan nursing a few injuries. But I am expecting young Noah Hodkinson to start at full-back and if he does then the teenager will find himself right in the thick of it.

If this contest goes as I expect it to, then the Warriors can exploit Catalans in broken play, and there should be a few opportunities for support tries which makes the academy full-back a shrewd selection given his value.

Offers

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Find more Rugby League Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights