Super League: Wakefield Wildcats v Castleford Tigers preview
Wakefield are aiming for a third straight victory in Super League when they battle rivals Castleford at Magic Weekend.
Last Updated: 18/05/14 12:23pm
The Wildcats have found form in recent weeks after surprise away wins over the likes of Hull FC and Widnes Vikings, while the Tigers have lost two straight, although they were to Huddersfield and Leeds.
Despite the losses Castleford remain perched in fourth spot in the table while Richard Agar's Wakefield are 12th with 12 round of Super League complete.
Castleford have somewhat of a score to settle against their neighbours having lost two of their three encounters last season and they will be the favourites to claim the points this weekend.
Wakefield are set to give a debut to winger Richard Owen, who joined them from their opponents this week, and coach Richard Agar also welcomes back centre Dean Collis, who has been sidelined with a quad injury since the two sides last met on Good Friday.
"It's definitely made things a bit easier when you get a couple of wins under your belt," captain Danny Kirmond told Love Rugby League. "There's never been any panic in the camp; fans and people in the media can create a storm by tipping us for relegation.
Bounce back
"We're not resting on our laurels now we've got two wins on the bounce; this isn't the finished article by any stretch of the imagination."
Castleford could give a debut to former Wigan and Salford prop Lee Jewitt following his arrival from France while Michael Channing returns at centre in place of Ashley Gibson.
"It is a good chance for us to get back to winning ways," said skipper Michael Shenton. "It's going to be a big challenge because Wakefield have turned their fortunes around lately and I think they have some confidence flowing through their camp.
"We know we have got to be on our game and we have had time to prepare now after having a short turnaround in the last couple of weeks.
"We have had some time off and got back to training, we are getting the bodies refreshed so now we are looking forward to playing."
Wakefield Wildcats: Mathers, Fairbank, Riley, Walshaw, Sykes, Godinet, Anderson, McShane, Collis, Kirmond, Washbrook, Ryan, Owen, Smith, Moore, Siejka, Sammut, Scruton, Molloy.
Castleford: Tansey, Dixon, Shenton, Webster, Carney, Sneyd, Lynch, Milner, Huby, Millington, Hauraki, Clark, Holmes, Mariano, Wheeldon, Ellis, Channing, Finn, Jewitt.
Watch the second day of Magic Weekend live on Sky Sports 1, starting with Wakefield against Castleford from 12:30pm.