Match preview: Hull KR v Wigan Warriors

After a break for the Challenge Cup semi-finals, Super League action returns tonight, as Hull KR look to keep their slender top eight hopes alive against title-chasing Wigan Warriors.

With just four rounds of the season to go, Chris Chester’s men sit three points behind the coveted eighth-spot, currently occupied by Widnes Vikings. And the Rovers – who today announced the signing of Bradford’ James Donaldson for 2015 – know a win here could be vital in the race to make the play-offs come the end of the season.

As for Wigan, they will go top of Super League with a victory tonight, and Shaun Wane’s task has been made easier by the return of Blake Green and Eddy Pettybourne from injury. Green has been out for several months with an arm injury, and will give the Warriors a huge boost going into the business end of the season.

The Squads
Hull KR: Burns, Carlile, Chan, Cockayne, Costigan, Cox, Eden, Esslemont, Gardner, Green, Hall, J Hodgson, Horne, Keating, Larroyer, Lovegrove, Netherton, Salter, A Walker.

Wigan Warriors: Bateman, Bowen, Charnley, Crosby, Dudson, Farrell, Flower, Gelling, Green, Hughes, Manfredi, O’Loughlin, Pettybourne, Powell, Sarginson, Smith, Taylor, Tomkins, Williams.

The Stats
Wigan have won their last thirteen meetings with Hull KR. The Robins’ last win against the Warriors was 20-12 at the JJB Stadium (as it was then known) on 15 May, 2009.

The Warriors ended the Robins’ season with play-off successes in both 2009 and 2010.

Wigan have also triumphed on each of their last seven visits to East Hull, with Hull KR’s last home win against the Warriors coming 39-22 on 13 July, 2008.

The Prediction
Even though Hull KR still have plenty to play for, the business end of the season is when Wigan Warriors usually come alive. To that end, expect the Warriors to move to the Super League summit tonight with a priceless victory.