Struggling Warrington face another tough test against Huddersfield

This weekend the Super League plays host to six important fixtures as the regular season draws to its conclusion. However, this clash between the Giants and the Wolves holds a lot on its shoulder.

The home side look to keep up the pace in the battle for the top 4, whilst the visitors now find themselves deep in a relegation battle, a situation few people would have predicted in February.

Huddersfield sit proudly in 4^th place in the Super League table, three points ahead of rivals Castleford as they aim for a highest league finish since 2015 where they finished 3^rd.

Warrington find themselves in 10^th place just four points off bottom spot. However, the club will presumably be looking at their position in a more positive way. Given the close nature of the league in 2022, they are still only four points off a play off place too.

It was the Wolves who won the reverse fixture at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. However, the Giants come into this match as the hot favourites given the teams league positions and after you take a quick delve into the statistics.

Saturday will be Huddersfield’s first home fixture since the 10^th of June. The players have spent well over a month away from their loyal home support and will be eager to impress on their return to the John Smith’s Stadium.

The Giants have won seven of their eight home games this season in the league, and all of their home Challenge Cup ties, which saw them embark on a run leading to the final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in May.

The only worry coming into this fixture for the home side is their recent form. The Giants have lost three of their last four games. However, so have Warrington.

The Wolves haven’t won away from home since 26^th February. This was their second away match of the season and it followed their only other away win two weeks prior. Yes, the Wolves have only won two away matches all year if you do not include Magic weekend as this is a neutral event.

The Magic round at the start of the month showcased what the Wire are capable of, beating title chasers Catalan Dragons. But it’s the consistency, or lack of for the Wolves, that will seriously worry manager Daryl Powell, as he looks for a way to turn his teams season around in Yorkshire.

There is one bonus for Powell though. Star signing Matthew Dufty could feature in his first game for the Wolves on Saturday if deemed ready to play following a lengthy time sitting on the side-lines for ex club Canterbury Bulldogs.

Dufty clocked a top speed of 36.6km/h this season which is faster than any current super league player has managed.

Add that to current Wolves winger, Matty Ashton’s electric pace and Warrington could give the Giants a few things to worry about in their team meetings and on the pitch come Saturday afternoon.

As for the team news, Matty Dufty is in line to make his debut after being considered fit to feature against the Giants and is joined by Riley Dean who returns to the squad having sat last week out under concussion protocols.

The trio of George Williams, Jason Clark and Oliver Holmes are also all in line to make their 250th career appearance.

As for the Giants, they’re missing Leroy Cudjoe due to suspension but are boosted by the announcement of Oliver Russell who remains named in the squad despite picking up a knock in France.

With Wire having struggled to perform at any sort of positive level on their travels so far this campaign, Huddersfield are likely to enter the contest confident of getting a result against Daryl Powell’s men.

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