Catalans should run Warrington close at Halliwell Jones Stadium

Betfred Super League
Sky Sports Arena, 7.45pm Thursday
The resurgence of Catalans has been has been one of the stories of the second half of the Betfred Super League season and the Dragons can continue their remarkable revival against Warrington at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Steve McNamara’s men were rock bottom in April having won just twice in 11 attempts but the arrival of Antipodean aces Josh Drinkwater and Kenny Edwards helped transform the French club’s fortunes.

Catalans have won seven of their last nine games to surge up to seventh on the league ladder and another victory will all but secure a top-eight finish.

The visitors are 2-1 to pick up two points while the Wolves are 4-9 to win in front of their own fans for the tenth time in their last 11 matches at the HJ.

Earlier this week Warrington announced the signing of Australian Blake Austin for next season but their current marquee player Tyrone Roberts continues to frustrate with inconsistent displays.

The Wolves remain in the top four but have been largely unconvincing in recent outings.

Harvey Livett and Ben Pomeroy both return from injury but Warrington are unlikely to find it as easy as they did when coasting to a 26-0 success in France in March.

The hosts are tasked with overcoming handicaps of six to eight points and that may well prove beyond them. They’ve failed to cover the line the last three times they’ve gone off as favourites.

By contrast, bookmakers seem to be struggling to catch up with the Catalans' revival. The Dragons have rewarded their handicap backers in their last nine matches and can do so again.

Coach McNamara is set to keep faith with the team who inflicted Wakefield’s heaviest home defeat of the season last time out.

In Thursday night's other match Wigan, who defeated Warrington a week ago, travel to Huddersfield.

The win over the Wolves was Wigan’s eighth victory in as many games at the DW Stadium but it’s been a different story on the road for the Warriors.

Shaun Wane’s side have lost four of their last five on their travels so make no appeal at a shade of odds-on.

Huddersfield have won six of their last seven Super League games but are still only two points above the bottom four so the Giants remain under real pressure.

Odds of 5-4 look plenty short enough against an elite outfit and the game looks one to avoid from a betting perspective.

Recommendations
Catalans +8
4pts Evs Betfred

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