Super League returns tonight with new boys Widnes Vikings opening their campaign with a home clash against the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.
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Super League new boys Widnes Vikings will hand debuts to 11 new players as they mark their return to the big time on their new I-pitch.
This will be Widnes’ first game in Super League for seven years and they will be hoping to mark the occasion with a win.
Former Warrington Wolves hooker Jon Clarke will skipper the Vikings, while Patrick Ah Van, Hep Cahil, Ben Cross, Chris Dean, Rhys Hanbury, Willie Isa, Stefan Marsh, Scott Moore, Lloyd White and Frank Winterstein will all start for head coach Denis Betts.
The Wildcats, who are coached by Richard Agar, will also hand debuts to a number of close season signings with Steve Southern, Peter Fox, Danny Kirkmond and Oliver Wilkes all returning for a second spell at the club.
Many critics and so called experts expect Widnes to fail and finish bottom of the ladder, but Betts has the credentials to coach the Vikings into play-off contenders.
The Vikings are still favourites to win this game with the euphoria surrounding the occasion and they can be backed at 8/11 with
Bet365, while the visitors are on offer at 7/5 with
Sportingbet.
The Wildcats have been handed a two point start on the handicap betting market and can be backed at 10/11 with
BetFred, while Widnes -2 is on offer at even money with Bet365.
First try scorer options for this Super League opener include Paddy Flynn (10/1 BetFred), Ah Van (10/1) and Isa (12/1) for the Vikings, while Fox (9/1 Bet365), Ben Cockayne (10/1) and Vince Mellars (12/1) can cause a threat for the Wildcats.
