I am concerned about this game I have to say. In all honesty if I was to look at the game objectively I would have to say that Cas look the more likely winners. They have all their big guns back, are playing great rugby and will be incredibly motivated to make up for last year. Plus although it is our home fixture, they will no doubt have a large and vocal following which will be a big help for them.

Don't get me wrong, I do think there are reasons to think we can the game. We're on a great winning run, have a rock solid defence, are on our own pitch and will have added motivation with all the departees. But it will be a massive challenge for Wigan. I really hope the fans attend the game in numbers and support both the game and the team.

Also on a team selection note Im not at all sure that a right side defence of Gildart and Manfredi is the best way to go. Manfredi has only just returned whilst Gildart has had barely any game time on the right side.

I think it might be best to go for Gildart on the left wing with Bateman at right centre. Sarge at left centre and Davies at right wing.

May sound arrogant but I think the result is down to Wigan. If we turn up and play with the intensity and fight we did v Saints for the 80 we'll win. But, if we're sleeping, as we can, we'll be caught off guard and lose.
Cas are too good not to turn up for.

A game too far i fear

Can see it being decided by golden point this one, very closely matched teams. Just hope our support bother their to get out of their armchairs.

It's bizarre that so many people who turn out every week for the home games in the regular season (which are really just jockeying for position) then don't bother for the games that decide who wins the competition and where it actually matters if we win or lose (and not just at our club). Got my ticket today, hoping we get a good crowd but we will likely end up with something akin to the Wakefield crowd the other week, whereas we should be looking at one of the higher crowds for the season for the playoff semi final. Particularly with two evenly matched and in-form teams meeting. Should be a cracking match.

We will win this game. Castleford are a good team and good enough to beat us but they won't.

We have to be careful though thinking this is a modern Phenomena

The Saint's Play off games going back 18 years have been attended by between 13k & 20k averaging out at around 17k
The Warrington Games in 2003 & 2014 were around the 14k/15k mark

However if you look at the other games they've been terrible in terms of attendances.
Bradford at their Peak was 14k in 2000

Hull 9k
Hull KR under7k
Cats 7k
Leeds in 2012 was only 8k - Other 3 games we've played them average 12k
Hudds 8k & 10k

We've had 2 Home games against Cas 2002 - 8381 & 2009 - 8689

So even back in the Halcyon days of the early 200o's the play of crowds although Better, we weren't bursting at the seams

I would say anything North of 10k with a 3k Cas following would be in line with what has happened over the last 4/5 years

Anyway - On to the Game
I said back in June I was impressed by how Cas were going about their business this year and they are the Team I think would concern me most of the 3.
I do however think that They'll be sat thinking were the 1 team they wouldn't have picked and would rather be facing Saints or Wire.

Home advantage and a bit of emot around the Departures of Wane/ST/JB/Sutty to sway it Wigan's way

Over 3k sold from cas since going on sale Saturday morning,I see no reason why we won't sell the 4500 allocation.
Home advantage is the key that gives Wigan a slight advantage IMO. Should be a cracker.

3700 of our 4500 stand now sold. 800 left with 9 days before the game. Expecting a surge from Friday as its payday for plenty of people so I would expect us to easily sell out of our stand now and possibly some in the stand to side.

Some tough decisions for Wane if everyone has come through last night's game unscathed, Greenwood looks like the major concern with the head injury.
Do we go big on the bench or keep Escare for the last 20mins ?
I'd stick with Escare personally but what do I know.

Greenwood should be fine according to Wane.

I’d go-

Tomkins
Manfredi Gildart Sarginson Davies
Williams Leuluai
Navarette Powell Flower
Bateman Greenwood Lockers

Subs
Clubb Sutton Farrell Escare

Hamlin really unlucky to miss out and I’d feel pretty sad about that but what can you do.

Personally I'd swap Hamlin and Farrell - not sure how match fit Faz would be in game of such intensity.

Farrell is a machine fitness wise. If anyone will be fine it will be him and I really doubt he’ll have any issues.

I think Wane May leave out Escare but Farrell will be in.

Close call but Id go with four forwards on the bench.