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Widnes Vikings vs Leeds Rhinos Preview

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The Lowdown

WIDNES VIKINGS

  • Widnes gave league leaders Castleford a huge scare after leading for most of the game but eventually succumbing to a late fightback to fall to yet another defeat.
  • Denis Betts has made five changes to his squad with Rhys Hanbury, Rangi Chase, Chris Houston, Sam Wilde and Gil Dudson returning in place of Alex Gerrard, Ted Chapelhow, Jack Johnson, Brad Walker and Danny Walker.
  • Widnes remain rooted to the bottom of the table and are running out of games to avoid the Middle 8s. They are seven points behind 8th placed Warrington with just eight games of the regular season remaining.

Head Coach: Denis Betts

Squad: Chris Bridge, Jack Buchanan, Greg Burke, Hep Cahill, Ed Chamberlain, Jay Chapelhow, Rangi Chase, Gil Dudson, Rhys Hanbury, Aaron Heremaia, Chris Houston, Ryan Ince, Jordan Johnstone, Manase Manuokafoa, Tom Olbison, Charly Runciman, Corey Thompson, Lloyd White, Sam Wilde

Unavailable: Patrick Ah Van (Achilles), Danny Craven (Injury), Joe Mellor (Injury), Matt Whitley (Injury), Tom Armstrong (Injury), MacGraff Leuluai (Injury), Chris Dean (Injury), Tom Gilmore (Injury), Stefan Marsh (Injury), Eamon O'Carroll (Injury)

LEEDS RHINOS

  • Leeds leapfrogged Hull into 3rd place in the Super League table with a comprehensive 40-0 victory at home to Warrington Wolves on Friday night.
  • Brian McDermott has been forced into a couple of changes with Ashton Golding and Brett Delaney picking up knocks against Warrington. Jack Ormondroyd and Alex Sutcliffe come into the squad.
  • Leeds have won eight of their last 11 Super League games with the Rhinos also holding the same record against Widnes in Super League fixtures too.

Head Coach: Brian McDermott

Squad: Jordan Baldwinson, Tom Briscoe, Rob Burrow, Adam Cuthbertson, Brett Ferres, Mitch Garbutt, Ryan Hall, Ash Handley, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Danny McGuire, Joel Moon, Anthony Mullally, Jack Ormondroyd, Matt Parcell, Brad Singleton, Alex Sutcliffe, Liam Sutcliffe, Stevie Ward, Kallum Watkins

Unavailable: Carl Ablett (Knee), Jimmy Keinhorst (Hand), Keith Galloway (Knee), Brett Delaney (Knee), Ashton Golding (Hamstring)


Analysis - what to expect
Leeds looked ruthless when racking up 40 points against Warrington at Headingley on Friday, and will be looking to keep the pressure on the two sides ahead of them in the table. It's a different story for Widnes who are starting to look in a desperate position. The Vikings welcome back some key players but despite their spirited display against Castleford, they just cannot produce for the full 80 minutes and Leeds should be too clinical here.

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