Wigan Warriors v Bradford Bulls - Engage Super League XVI Round 25.
Friday 19th August 2011. Kick Off 8:00pm at DW Stadium.

Match Preview

After Round 24 last season, Bradford had just suffered their 10th defeat in a row, a run of defeats that had seen now England coach Steve McNamara sacked. Despite that awful run of losses they had still amassed a total of 17 points in the league. Fast forward twelve months, and whilst they haven't had a dire run of defeats like that, the fact they have only improved by 1 point says an awful lot I think.

From the outside, it looks like nothing has changed. Brian Potter has come in, but I don't care if Wayne Bennett went in there, you cannot polish turds. Granted they have had a lot of injury problems this year but I look at the whole squad and just see a load of, what I call, "plodders". I mean look at the 19 man squad for Bradford below and try and pick out a player who puts fear into you! I have respect for Andy Lynch, been a good solid prop over the years, but the rest.....pffft!

It perhaps also says a lot about Bradford that their top try scorer this season, Shad Royston, has rejected a new improved contract offer to go and play in France! Not for Catalan though, but in the French Elite League for Pia Donkeys!

I think the Bradford squad is miles off competing for trophies. I mean I've been writing negative previews about them for four seasons now and nothing is improving. I'm not convinced anything can improve until they finally get round to re-developing Odsal or moving to a new stadium. Finance is clearly lacking!

Now Bradford may well just be able to catch Wigan cold here. I doubt it, but we might get caught out with one eye on Wembley. It'd be a week too late for Bradford though, they blew top 8 chances last week with a miserable display at home to Hull KR.

Wigan just need to get out there and get the job done again, like they did last Sunday. Coach Maguire continues to rest players with Andy Coley, Brett Finch and Lee Mossop all sitting out this one. Paul Deacon and Jeff Lima return after being rested last week and we also see a welcome return for Eamon O'Carroll.

Now I hope Eamon is going to get a bit of luck at the back end of this season because he had to sit out a massive total of 79 matches in the past three seasons. His last first team appearance came away at Huddersfield in May 2010 and he has all of a sudden he's gone from a young prop to being 24 years of age. With Ben Cross getting injured last week he could play a role at the back end of the season and that could be the difference between a new contract and not getting one.

All in all I think we look good for an 11th win in a row, even without those rested. Finch is a bit of a loss because he's been all class in recent weeks. More often than not he has been involved in our tries. If Wigan do make it 11 wins on the spin, it'll be the first time they've achieved that since the 1998 season. They never went on to make it 12 in a row that year though because they lost to a certain side from over in Yorkshire! All I'll say is that if you do believe in omens, you should pray for a defeat this Friday!

19 Man Squads

Bradford

IN:l	Paul Sykes, John Bateman

OUT:l

Elliott Whitehead (suspended), James Donaldson (shoulder)

Full 19: Michael Platt, Paul Sykes, Patrick Ah Van, Brett Kearney, Marc Herbert, Nick Scruton, Andy Lynch, Olivier Elima, Jamie Langley, Bryn Hargreaves, Craig Kopczak, Ian Sibbit, Gareth Raynor, Danny Addy, Shad Royston, Adam O'Brien, Tom Burgess, John Bateman, Ben Jeffries

Match Referee

Ben Thaler (Wakefield) - Age 29
First Pro Game: Leigh 84 York 1 - 1st July 2001
First Super League Game: London 70 Leigh 16 - 29th May 2005
First Wigan Game: Wigan 38 Hull FC 16 - 15th September 2006

Wigan's Record when this referee is appointed

Wigan have Won 18 and Lost 4 (2 draws) from 24 appointments.
This Season: Won 2 and Lost 0 from 2 appointments.

Video Referee

Richard Silverwood

Current Super League XVI League Positions

Wigan v Leeds Player Stat Leaders

Super League Era Head to Head Record including Play Offs

Super League Form Table - Last Six League Matches Only

Wigan Form Guide - Last Six Matches - Won 6 Lost 0

Wigan 2011 League Home Record
Played 11: Won 9 and Lost 2 (Ranked: Second Best in League) - 81.8% Win Rate.

Bradford Form Guide - Last Six Matches - Won 2 Lost 4

Bradford 2011 League Away from Home Record
Played 12: Won 3 Drawn 1 Lost 8 (Ranked: 4th Worst in League) - 29.1% Win Rate.

Last Six Meetings at DW Stadium

Ticket Details

Ticket Hotline: 0871 66 33 552
Click Here for Stadium Seating Map

UK TV Coverage

Radio Commentary

BBC Radio Manchester (95.1FM) - Main Commentary Match whilst also updating on Salford v Huddersfield.

Bilko's Statistical prediction.

The stats suggest a Wigan Win by 24 Points.

Weather Forecast

Dry Night Expected.