Both teams are going into this on an even footing. No excuses from the loser other than that the better team won.

I think Wigan will win. Their form has been great, and their forwards will be too strong for Wire without Westwood, Solomona and Morley. Wire should score 20 odd again, with Atkins and King so strong, and Briers back, but should find themselves split up the middle. I think it would have been better to play Wigan the week afterwards, as the dip seems to hit teams a couple of weeks post Wembley. If Tomkins had been banned it could have been different, but I see no reason to think Wigan will score many fewer than their 8 tries in the Cup.
Should be a great atmosphere, and I hope it's close.

I wan't to say that we'll win but I'm afraid that Tricky Dricky will think I'm very direspectful, I don't know what to do for the best.

he will probably start a Facebook group or something..... maybe hit you hard with a leafleting campaign.... for christs sake don't do it.

You're right, I think I'll sleep on it.

How so?

We're missing Moz, Westwood and Solomona.

Who've have they got missing who are that important to their squad? Genuine question, I've not read much RL Press this week so far!

Talk is Mozza is back and he can make your team. Your men having a week off and rest coupled with Mozza coming back is a massaive ask for us.

I'm never confident going into games like this but I am looking forward to a great battle!!!!





Still don't know what time gates open??? ANYONE?????

We are missing key players but I do think we will win.
TS and the lads have had two weeks to physically prepare for this game.
I think given the way the season has gone both clubs have been mentally preparing for the game for the past 2 months, knowing that it would be the title decider.

I really can't wait and I am so excited.

One thing I did notice in the Final was everytime Leeds got into Wigan's half you felt they could score, not something you see unless we play them as there defence is usually so tight.

As I've said before if we win our next five matches, we are Super League Champions (as well as League Leaders). If we lose our next one or two, then win the next three, we are Super League Champions. That is the MOST important, although winning both would be great. The season is not over if we lose this weekend. If we lose two play off matches, it is.

Doesn't look like Morley will play so we are down three good players (possibly 4 if Hodgson doesn't make it). If they are missing Charnley, O'Loughlin and Mossop, they are considerably weakened too. Just play the 17 who turn up and if we win, we win, if we don't, we move onto Hull and then a home play off vs St Helens. Win that and we are one match from Old Trafford.

It's been a great season and as Sally C often reminds us, there are only two (three?) trophies to win. We still have a great chance of two of them.

Win that first Play-off game and we are 80mins from the Grand Final.

Its so close we can taste it.

whats your probable line up? It will be interesting to see what pack wire have out on friday. Personally if I was Maguire I would have my strongest side out next week and get as many players as possible rested up for the playoffs after this week.

Should be a cracker and may the best side win!

Probable line up?

Riley (possibility of Hodgson)
Monaghan
Bridge (or possibly Blythe - see 13)
King
Atkins
Briers
Myler
Carvell
Monaghan
Wood
Anderson
Cooper
Grix/Bridge

Harrison
Clarke
Higham
Mitchell/McCarthy/Blythe

So you're saying if Tomkins had been banned Wigans forwards wouldn't be too strong for Wire? What an interesting analysis!

No. I am saying that had Tomkins been banned, Wigan's attack would have been so reduced it would have compensated for Wire's weaker pack.

Both teams will have a few players out but both also have great squads. Even enough for me.

Genuinely couldnt call this game until the squads are announced due to there being a few too manys ifs and buts on who will be playing due to injuries.

Should be a cracker.

I wouldn't call this game at all. Two very well matched sides and certainly the best two teams in the competition.

Agreed,
But I think Wire have the advantage because of last weekend. I was speaking to a mate of mine who says he feels "jet lagged" after the Wembley weekend, so I guess the players will struggle a little. Just look at Warringtons results in 2009 and 2010 the weekend after Wembley.

Oddly, I feel a bit "not fussed" about the result of this week's game. I'm sure that will change though.

Ive said before that this is almost a complete non entity of a game.
Much depends on how Wigan come out of their celebrations from last weekend, if they are all ok then their pack will be too much for ours. I suspect fatique will set in during the second half though which should enable wire to capitalise but im not over confident of a wire win.

If we do win I can see us getting beat by Hull FC next week anyway which would hand the league leaders shield to Wigan.

The serious stuff starts the week after with round 1 of the playoffs. Then we will see what wire are made of.

Be won after Wembley last year. Away. In London.

Yes, you beat the second bottom of the league, the year before you were hammered at HKR

Well, you've been given the tools to beat us, bans, referee, Thomas signing boost.

I expect the Wigan machine to roll us.

With a weakened team if I remember rightly. Rhys Evans debut and all that....