Wigan Warriors vs Hull KR Prediction: Burgess the man to back again

It's one of the games of the Betfred Super League season on Friday night as leaders and Challenge Cup winners Hull KR head to take on the champions Wigan Warriors (20:00 BST, Sky Sports Action). Rovers hold a four-point advantage over their rivals at the top, so a win on the road would pretty much wrap up the League Leaders' Shield. 

We have special offers available for this huge contest between the two best teams in the northern hemisphere. Below are my Wigan Warriors vs Hull KR predictions, alongside the latest team news, for a match not to be missed.

Team News

Wigan boss Matt Peet makes two changes to his 21-man squad for the biggest game of the season so far.

England forward Junior Nsemba is out through concussion protocols, having failed his Head Injury Assessment in last week's win at Warrington. Hooker Tom Forber also drops out - he was named in the squad last week but ended up starting for Oldham in their Championship win over Barrow.

The men to come in are Abbas Miski, the Warriors' key winger whose season has been ravaged by injury, and Harvey Makin, who has been on loan at crisis club Salford.

Bevan French was named in the squad last week but was not ready to return after injury, so there would seem to be every chance of their talisman returning for this one, having been wrapped in cotton wool.

Still out is England prop Luke Thompson.

Rugby League Odds

The Robins are also without a key man, with half-back Tyrone May still banned after his needless language to a match official at Salford.

Prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is named in the squad despite a shoulder injury that ruled him out against Castleford last week. Mikey Lewis should also be okay, while prop Sam Luckley is included.

Veteran hooker Micky McIlorum, though, is out, and that represents the only change made by Peters. On-loan Rowan Milnes is included, with the impressive Jez Litten set to start.

Wigan Warriors vs Hull KR Odds

Wigan are 4/5, or a 55.6% chance, to win on Friday, with Hulll 11/10, and the draw 16/1.

Handicap 3-way Alternative 1: Hull KR -2 @ 7/5

Wigan won 28-12 at Sewell Group Craven Park earlier in the year, but I sense this one may be tighter and with a different outcome.

The visitors were at full-strength that day, while Rovers missed Mikey Lewis, and were outdone five tries to two.

These are the best two teams in Super League; both have had blips this year, and both have come through them. So this is a match I can't wait to watch.

I was at Warrington last Friday, where the Wolves were good up until half-time before the champions took control. KR overcame a stubborn start from Castleford for an easy win, and I fancy them to travel to Wigan with real intent.

Wigan at home in front of a big crowd is something that fills you with dread when you are contemplating backing the opposition.

But as I have done all season, I am going with my gut, which tells me Rovers will win. This is the time of year when you don't really want to be facing Wigan. Historically, they have gotten their act together in time for the playoffs and are pretty tough to beat.

But there's just something about this Hull KR team that makes me think the landscape is shifting, and in Willie Peters, they have a coach who can undo Matty Peet here.

I doubt there will be much in it, so I am taking an away win by a single score.

Joe Burgess anytime tryscorer @ 5/4

We are offering anyone who puts on an in-play bet of £10 or more at odds of 1/2 or better, a free £5 in-play bet to use on Saturday's Betfred Super League games.

We also have our Super League Double Delight, whereby if your first tryscorer selection goes on to score again in the match, then we will double your odds.

I was going to be a bit cautious with my second selection. I'm backing Hull KR to win a really tight contest, so to allow myself less of a sleepless night, it would be wise to take Wigan in the tryscorer market.

Liam Marshall remains their talisman when it comes to crossing the whitewash, and at 11/10 he looks the best bet.

But I'm going all in on KR, and Joe Burgess is in frightening form. The flying winger has scored back-to-back hat-tricks and an incredible nine tries in his last three games.

Why on earth would you back against that form continuing when he is available at 5/4?

Offers

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