Super League: Bradford Bulls v Widnes Vikings preview
Last Updated: 06/09/14 6:48pm
Bradford welcome Widnes to the Provident Stadium for what will be the Bulls’ final home game before they drop into the Championship.
Since their relegation from Super League was confirmed the Bulls have found some form, though a three-match winning run was halted last time out when they were beaten at Castleford.
Still, there are plenty of positive signs for the future for head coach James Lowes as they prepare to leave the top tier; Matty Blythe has become the latest player to sign a deal with the club, though it has been confirmed that both Luke George and Elliot Kear will be leaving at the end of the campaign.
As for his squad for the clash with the Vikings, Lowes has made three alterations to the 19 selected to face the Tigers at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.
Brad Adams has been included and could be handed his first-team debut, while Oliver Roberts and Chev Walker also return to the squad.
George, Nathan Conroy and Jordan Baldwinson are the three players to make way for a game that will see several players say their Odsal goodbyes.
Club captain Matt Diskin has announced he will hang up his boots after next week’s fixture away at bottom club London Broncos, while Brett Kearney is going to head home to Australia after five years in Yorkshire.
Season extended
Widnes, meanwhile, have plenty to play for as they know a win on their travels will clinch them a place in the playoffs.
Denis Betts’ side currently sit four points clear in eighth place but Hull KR, their nearest rivals, have a better points difference. Wakefield are also still in the race, though the Vikings just need any kind of positive result from their games against the Bulls or Salford, who they travel to play in the final round of matches.
However Betts – who could welcome back Cameron Phelps from a sternum injury – knows Bradford could be dangerous opponents considering they can go out and play with complete freedom.
“Anybody who is outside that top eight now and is either secure in or out of this league next year are playing with a little bit of freedom and that’s what Bradford have been doing," he told Widnes’ official website.
“They’ve got some really good players and since Jimmy Lowes came in he’s given them that little bit of purpose in what they’re doing for the rest of the year and has wanted to see some good performances.
“They’re playing well, and the last 3 or 4 games they’ve been playing well. It’s going to be a tough game at their place for us and I think we’ve got enough confidence from last week to go there and put in a strong display.”
The Vikings - who triumphed 32-28 at Bradford last season - select prop Paul Johnson in place of Alex Gerard, while winger Jack Owens and hooker Liam Carberry are also back in the reckoning.