Very tough to predict. We have always beaten Saints in these good Friday games since Maguire came in, and Wane has always beaten them when there have been no distractions (the losses coming the week before the CC semi last season and the week before the play offs the season before). Saints are a lot better this season though and I think they'll come out with a point to prove, beating us on Friday would really signal that they are ready to end their trophy-drought.

Having said that, I think we have a point to prove as well. All you hear when trophies are discussed is Leeds and Saints, despite us holding both trophies very few people seem to be backing us to keep either. The team seems to be at its strongest as an underdog (as we were in both play offs and the final last year) so I'm going to go for a narrow Wigan win.

Saints 18 Wigan 20 (losing 18-4 at HT)

Team wise I think it's a risk throwing Manfredi into a good Friday derby after just one game v Wakey (in which he had the ball ripped, allowing them to go the full length and score) and Sarginson doesn't really look comfortable on the wing for my money. As such I'd go with Thornley out wide, who has plenty SL experience on the wing and is in good form.

FB 1 Bowen
RW 4 Thornley
RC 3 Goulding
LC 23 Sarginson
LW 32 Burgess
SO 6 Green
SH 7 Smith
P 8 Taylor
H 9 McIlorum
P 10 Flower
SR 25 Bateman
SR 12 Farrell
LF 13 O'Loughlin

S 17 Crosby
S 24 Clubb
S 25 Pettybourne
S 27 Williams

I don't think SW can move Thornley on his current form. He's playing his best rugby since his return to league. Sarginson has a lot more SL experience than Manfredi and he'd be my choice outside Goulding. As for the outcome, I think it'll be very close but I fear a saints win. I'm dreading it and can't wait at the same time!

i am always feeling cocky these days in the build up to saints games and i'm not feeling any different for this Fridays game.
saints' luck will run out, just like it seems to have done with Huddersfield of late. I can see it being a low scoring game despite the ferocity of the looks of saints this year to date, look what we did against wire who have normally given us a good game.
honestly think wigan will win by a decent margin, saints are the team under all the pressure which wigan will thrive on as always.
but my predictions will remain as follows despite my above comments...

saints: 16
wigan: 30
first try: makinson
(our) MOM: thornley
attendance: lots.

Saints 16 28 Wigan
First Try - Farrell
MOM - O Loughlin

How many games has Sarginson played on the wing though? He looks shaky there to me, particularly under the high ball. I can see Walsh targeting him all game. Manfredi would be a better option because he is at least a winger and look pretty dangerous in attack. It's just a question of whether he's ready for the intensity of a good Friday derby with such little top level experience. In his only SL game for us it was a mixed bag for my money.

Let's not forget whoever plays on that wing will have Goulding inside of him, who is not the greatest of defenders, particularly recently. IMO Thornley is the only safe pair of hands of the three, and he may well still be effective in attack given that his attacking game is mostly based on going for the line himself anyway

To whoever said about us having all the pressure on us. That can only be a good thing, we seem to score tries and actually play our best rugby when under pressure.

Saints 30-24 Wigan

Wigan winning at half time 14-6

After the defensive performance at Cas I hope we never see a Sarg/Burg centre wing partnership ever again.

Do you blame them for the poor defence? IMO they were left helpless by the line not sliding over. They seemed to have half the pitch to cover between two of them at times

edit - just re-watched the highlights
Try 1 - Defence all sucked in to the right side of the pitch, Sarginson marks the left centre with far too much space either side of him, Burgess marks his winger with acres of space inside of him.
Try 2 - Giving away a penalty on your own goal line is never smart, then Farrell gets wrong-footed for the try
Try 3 - Bowen either slips or is held back getting to the kick, the forwards don't turn round and chase it with much gusto either
Try 4 - Soft defence from McIlorum who gets steamrolled
Try 5 - Quick hands and our defence just doesn't slide across
Try 6 - Slap tackling from Smith

The outwide defence has definitely suffered because of what's going on inside, but the Thornley/Burgess partnership is looking a lot more solid IMO and I wouldn't split that up, especially to move Thornley out on the wing who looks like a complete fish out of water out there.

Edit - just watched SWs press conference on Wigan TV and he pretty much says he's sticking with Sarginson on the wing for Saints then Manfredi will play against Bradford.

A Wigan win

Last try - Bowen (90metres)

Saints by 18-20 points.

They are far better than us atm, but this moment does not matter its how good you are when it matters. Play off or CC games.

Agree with this, but i don't expect as big a win, but a Saints win nonetheless...

Have you watched their last couple of games? Hardly sparkling. I know we've not been crash hot either but Wigan will be as intense in this game as in the big ones you mention.

It might not be enough but I'd be surprised if they win as comfortably as you predict.