Huddersfield Giants vs Widnes Vikings Preview

The Lowdown

HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS

• Huddersfield's run of four games without defeat came to an end as they went down to Salford last weekend, a result that saw the Giants drop to eighth place.
• Rick Stone has been forced to make three changes to his squad with Sebastine Ikahihifo, Aaron Murphy and Nathan Mason all dropping out through injury with Adam O'Brien, Martyn Ridyard and Gene Ormsby called up in their place.
• Huddersfield have won the four of the last five league meetings when facing Widnes at home and extending that run here would see Huddersfield take a big step to qualifying for the Super 8s.

Head Coach: Rick Stone

Squad: Danny Brough, Paul Clough, Leroy Cudjoe, Tyler Dickinson, Dale Ferguson, Lee Gaskell, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Kruise Leeming, Jermaine McGillvary, Darnell McIntosh, Alex Mellor, Adam O'Brien, Gene Ormsby, Jordan Rankin, Sam Rapira, Martyn Ridyard, Oliver Roberts, Ukuma Ta'ai, Shannon Wakeman

Unavailable: Tom Symonds (Knee), Michael Lawrence (Knee), Jordan Turner (Hamstring), Jake Mamo (Foot), Aaron Murphy (Toe), Sebastine Ikahihifo (Head), Nathan Mason (Leg)

WIDNES VIKINGS

• Widnes put in a competitive performance to push Wigan all the way until late in the game before falling to defeat last week, a loss which all-but consigned the Vikings to the Middle 8s.
• Denis Betts has once again made numerous changes to his 19-man squad. Jay Chapelhow and Manase Manuokafoa make welcome returns from injury with Danny Walker and Jordan Johnstone also returning with Danny Craven, Alex Gerrard, Eamon O'Carroll and Tom Olbison missing out.
• Widnes' away form is worrying and something they will need to drastically improve if they do drop into the Middle 8s as they have lost their last six league games away from home, conceding at least 26 points in each of those games.

Head Coach: Denis Betts

Squad: Chris Bridge, Jack Buchanan, Greg Burke, Hep Cahill, Jay Chapelhow, Gil Dudson, Tom Gilmore, Aaron Heremaia, Chris Houston, Ryan Ince, Jordan Johnstone, Manase Manuokafoa, Stefan Marsh, Joe Mellor, Charly Runciman, Corey Thompson, Brad Walker, Lloyd White, Matt Whitley

Unavailable: Rangi Chase (Suspended), Patrick Ah Van (Achilles), Tom Armstrong (Injured), MacGraff Leuluai (Injured), Chris Dean (Injured), Rhys Hanbury (Injured), Danny Craven (Injured), Alex Gerrard (Injured), Eamon O'Carroll (Injured), Tom Olbison (Injured)

What to expect

Huddersfield's recent revival came to an end last weekend as Salford were comfortable winners with that result meaning that their position in the top 8 is still in the balance. A win this weekend would leave them in a very good position and all but seal a Super 8s place if other results also go their way. Widnes on the other hand look destined for the Middle 8s and will now be looking to try and go on a winning run to gain some confidence ahead of their fight to remain in Super League. Huddersfield have the better recent form behind them despite last week's result and should bounce back with a win here.