Wigan Warriors host Leigh Leopards on Saturday evening in the Semi-Final of the Super League with the winner facing either Warrington Wolves or Hull KR in the final at Old Trafford on October 12th.

Wigan are the current Super League champions after beating Catalan Dragons last year and they will be hoping they can retain the title for another year.

Warriors are clear favourites after they finished top of the original Super League table winning 22 of the 27 games. Their opposition finished in 5th place, 13 points behind but Leigh will be hoping they can cause a shock upset against their near neighbour rivals. The two sides have met each other three times already this season with Warriors coming out victorious in all three games.

The cherry-red fans are optimistic their side will reach the final for a second year running. Graham Berry has been following Wigan since 1984. “I think Wigan are currently playing some of their best rugby all season. They stepped up another gear at the end of the season to finish top. I think our forward pack are too strong for Leigh, so I reckon it’ll be Wigan 32-12 Leigh”

Leigh fans are hoping their opposition will have an off day: “With us missing key players in Charnley and Halton it will be tough for us”, according to Colin Rawson, a Leigh Leopards fan.

Wigan have had a whole week to prepare, which could be an advantage for the hosts. The Leopards narrowly beat Salford red Devils 14-6 in the qualifiers for the semi-Final stage. The visitors will be without two key players for the trip to Wigan with winger Josh Charnley and back rower Frankie Halton both missing due to not passing concussion protocols. As for the hosts Abbas Miski is set to feature on Saturday night after he missed the final league game of the regular season due to a knee injury meaning Wigan boss, Matt Peet will have his strongest team to select from.

Saturday night could see a record-breaking night for a play-off game, with 19,000 tickets already sold and with ticket sales still rising, there could be a full house at the red brick stadium.  The current record attendance is 21,225 set 20 years ago when Leeds and Bradford met.

 

 

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