- Wigan won 18-8 when these sides met in the Challenge Cup final last month
- The Warriors saw a 10-game winning run ended at Hull FC last week
- Recommended bet: Warrington +6.5 handicap

The top two in the Super League meet on Friday as pacesetters Wigan entertain closest challengers Warrington at the DW Stadium.

The Wolves moved to within two points of their hosts after beating St Helens in the last round of fixtures, as Wigan slipped to just their third loss of the season at Hull FC.

This is a replay of last month's Challenge Cup final which Wigan won 18-8 at Wembley, and the visitors will be looking to take some revenge in this key game in the fight for the League Leaders' Shield.

Team news

Wigan remain without Australian stars Jai Field and Bevan French for the visit of Warrington as both have hamstring injuries.

Field is fairly close to a return, but French faces a little longer on the treatment table.

Coach Matt Peet has made just one change to the squad that slipped to defeat at Hull FC as the fit-again Kruise Leeming replaces Taylor Kerr.

James Harrison picked up a red card in Warrington's win over Saints and he serves the first of a two-match suspension.

Stefan Ratchford is absent as he recovers from surgery on a fractured eye socket and jaw, but Toby King, Josh Thewlis, Lachlan Fitzgibbon and Jordy Crowther have been included in Sam Burgess' 21-man squad and could make their returns following injuries.

The stats

Wigan have won each of their last seven games against Warrington in all competitions.

The Warriors have won all of their home games in all competitions this season. Wigan's last home loss came in June 2023, a run stretching 17 games.

Warrington have won six of their eight away games in Super League. The Wire haven't lost by more than six points on their travels this season.

Prediction

Warrington are 19/10 underdogs heading to league leaders Wigan and for good reason, as they look almost invincible at home.

The Warriors haven't lost a home game in over a calendar year, and in the 17 games they have won since that loss to Catalans Dragons, they have only been dragged into overtime once.

An away win may be a big ask, but Warrington can at least keep the scoreline respectable and beat a +6.5 handicap.

The absences of Field and French are big blows for the home side, and Warrington should come into the game in confident mood after stunning St Helens last weekend, despite Harrinson's first half red card.

Wigan claimed a one-point win when these teams met in a reverse Super League fixture earlier this season, and a similarly close game could be on the cards in this renewal of their rivalry, so backing Warrington with a +6.5 handicap appeals.

Back Warrington +6.5 handicap at 4/5 with LiveScore Bet