- Warrington won 31-8 when these sides met in the Challenge Cup
- St Helens have lost their last three games
- Recommended bet: Warrington to win

Warrington sit in second spot in the Super League table after a run of three straight victories ahead of their trip to rivals St Helens on Friday.

Saints have dominated the recent meetings between these two clubs but come into the game in poor form after three losses on the spin, although they remain well placed in fourth and are just two points behind the visitors after 17 games.

Team news

Saints have a number of injury issues with eight players missing for Friday night’s fixture, including the likes of Alex Walmsley, Tommy Makinson and Morgan Knowles.

Head coach Paul Wellens has made two changes to the 21-man squad that lost to Wigan last time out as Moses Mbye returns after serving a one-match penalty notice and academy player Owen Dagnall has been called up to the senior squad for the first time, with Leon Cowen and Will Roberts dropping out.

Warrington also have plenty of injury problems to contend with as Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Toby King and Josh Thewlis are all unavailable, alongside long-term absentees Leon Hayes, Joe Philbin, Wesley Bruines, Connor Wrench and Luke Thomas.

The Wire make one change to the team that overcame Leeds last week as Joe Bullock makes way for new arrival Luke Yates, who is in line for a debut after joining from Huddersfield.    

The stats

Warrington claimed a 23-point win when these sides met in the cup at this stadium in March.

St Helens have won the last eight Super League meetings between these two sides.

The Wolves have won five of their seven Super League away games.

Saints have lost their last three games and have six defeats in total in 17 league games.

Prediction

Saints have dominated the recent meetings between these two teams, but Warrington have improved dramatically since Sam Burgess took charge and this will be his first Super League game against Saints.

The Wire claimed a comprehensive 31-8 victory when they visited the Totally Wicked Stadium in the Challenge Cup in March. A repeat of that drubbing is perhaps unlikely, but the visitors still look backable underdogs given the recent form of these two Grand Final hopefuls.

Burgess’ Wolves have won their last three games and have been strong on their travels all season with five wins in seven trips, while they have won seven of their last eight on the road across all competitions.

St Helens are on a three-game losing run and lost their last home assignment 8-6 to a struggling Castleford side. Saints did put in an improved display against pacesetters Wigan last time out and this should be a fairly close game, but the momentum is with the visitors and the Wire look well placed to secure victory over a ley rival here. 

Back Warrington to win at 33/20 with LiveScore Bet