And with both sides locked together at the top of the table, who will take the chance to edge ahead before they do battle in next weekend’s Challenge Cup Final?
Our Wire reporter Matt Turner picks out five key pre-match talking points ahead of the Round 13 clash at The Halliwell Jones Stadium…
The lowest-key “Wigan Week” for a while
This is one of Super League’s marquee games and by this point, excitement within the town is at fever pitch in preparation for the neighbours’ arrival.
You only have to look at Wigan’s visit last year when both sides were in excellent form – the rarely-used “sold out” signs had to be dusted off and hung outside The Halliwell Jones Stadium as the game enticed a record crowd for the venue.
The teams are in similarly superb shape now ahead of their long-awaited first meeting of the year and are both involved in a three-way tie at the top of the table along with St Helens.
The two Challenge Cup finalists facing each other a week before stepping out at Wembley certainly gives a strange and awkward dynamic.
The big day in London is certainly prevalent in minds, but there is work to be done first.
Points or preservation – it is certainly a difficult balance to strike for Sam Burgess and his Wigan counterpart Matty Peet this week.
Based on the 21-man squad Burgess has selected, however, it appears he has leant pretty heavily towards the latter.
Some decisions have been made for him in terms of George Williams’ suspension and Joe Philbin’s injury, but the vast majority of his first-team stars have been taken out of the firing line.
In all, Burgess has made nine changes to his 21 with Peet making just four and on both sides, there is scope for further resting of key players within that.
Perhaps it is an understandable stance – Wire paid a huge physical price to beat Catalans in Perpignan last week and with any suspensions or failed HIAs ruling players out of Wembley, it is natural to be somewhat cautious.
However, whomever is sent out there on Saturday will no doubt do so brimming with self-belief and keen to make an impression.
