Why should I watch?

As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end.

Saints are flying in 2018 and have won all four of their Super League games so far, but can The Wire be the first team to stop them winning this year?

The pundits do not seem to give them much of a chance, but form can often go out of the window when neighbours collide.

Wolves have several areas of their game to fix up, but the win over Wigan in their last home game showed glimpses of what this team could be capable of when they get things right.

Warrington Guardian:

A Harvey Livett-inspired Wolves side thrashed St Helens 40-18 on their last visit to The Halliwell Jones Stadium. Can they repeat the trick tonight? Picture by Mike Boden

What they’ve said:

“We always go out there to play football and get that W.

“They’re playing really good football and they’ll certainly be the favourites, but they’re stepping onto our pitch.

“They have every right to start as favourites. We’re coming off a loss and we’re desperate to get back in that winner’s circle.”

Warrington Guardian:

Steve Price, Warrington Wolves head coach. (Picture by Mike Boden)

“We were a little off on Sunday with our execution.

“We may have had a good start to the season but we’re not getting comfortable with where we are at.

“We will keep working hard.”

Warrington Guardian:

Justin Holbrook, St Helens head coach. (Picture by Bernard Platt)

Numbers game:

Ryan Atkins looks set to play his 350th career game tonight. As well as his 244 Warrington appearances, the centre has also played 96 times for Wakefield, once for Bradford and eight times for England.

Two St Helens players are within touching distance of scoring their 100th try for the club, with James Roby and Tommy Makinson both on 98 touchdowns.

Warrington team news:

Kevin Brown returns to the fold for The Wire after missing last week’s 21-12 defeat at Hull FC through suffering the after-effects of a head knock.

His return is timely as Dec Patton, who deputised for Brown last week, serves the first of his five-match suspension after being sent off for a high tackle at the KCOM Stadium.

Sitaleki Akauola also serves a suspension, with the forward’s ban being for just one game, but fellow new recruit Bryson Goodwin has been passed fit to play after coming off at Hull with a knee injury.

Wolves squad: Ryan Atkins, Kevin Brown, Mitch Brown, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Dom Crosby, Bryson Goodwin, Chris Hill, Jack Hughes, George King, Toby King, Tom Lineham, Harvey Livett, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Joe Philbin, Stefan Ratchford, Tyrone Roberts, Morgan Smith, Ben Westwood.

Warrington Guardian:

Kevin Brown is back for The Wire tonight. Picture by Mike Boden

St Helens team news:

Former captain Jon Wilkin is Saints’ only injury absentee for the game. He misses out with a head injury.

Matty Lees comes in for him and is likely to share the loose forward role with Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook.

Saints squad: Jonny Lomax, Tommy Makinson, Ryan Morgan, Mark Percival, Adam Swift, Theo Fages, Matty Smith, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Kyle Amor, Zeb Taia, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Luke Douglas, Luke Thompson, Dom Peyroux, Danny Richardson, Regan Grace, Matty Lees, Ben Barba.

Warrington Guardian:

Jon Wilkin is a key absentee for Saints. Picture by Bernard Platt

One to watch:

Ben Barba

After an adjustment period last year, Barba has done what many observers expected him to do in 2018 and lit up Super League.

The full-back has shown form that not long ago had him marked out as one of the stars of the NRL in scoring four tries and creating six more for Saints this year.

Wolves head coach Steve Price worked with Barba during his time as assistant coach at Cronulla Sharks and is the latest coach charged with trying to stop him.

Barba could have also been lining up in primrose and blue tonight, but he turned down a move to The Wire in favour of joining Saints last year.

Warrington Guardian:

Ben Barba has four tries and six assists to his name so far in 2018. Picture by Bernard Platt

Match odds (via Betfred):

Warrington 7/4

St Helens 1/2

Draw 22/1

Essential info:

When: Friday, March 9. 2018

Kick off: 7.45pm

Where: The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Mike Gregory Way, Warrington WA2 7NE

Officials:

Referee: James Child

Touch judges: J Smith, L Moore

Video referee: Robert Hicks

Warrington Guardian:

James Child will referee tonight's game. Picture by Mike Boden

Matchday ticket prices:

North Stand: £32.50 adults, £23 concessions (aged 65+) and young adults (aged 17-21), £14 juniors (aged 5-16), infants (aged 5 and under) free, £90 family ticket (2 adults and 2 juniors)

East Stand: £27 adults, £19 concessions and young adults, £13 juniors, infants free, £77 family ticket

South Stand: £23 adults, £17 concessions and young adults, £12 juniors, infants free

West Stand (visiting supporters): £23 adults, £17 concessions and young adults, £12 juniors, infants free

Matchday entertainment.

Warrington band Slydigs will be perfoming on the pitch before kick off, while the players will be welcomed onto the field by a fireworks display from the top of the North and South stands.

How can I follow the game?

The Warrington Guardian will, as always be providing extensive coverage of tonight’s game.

As the game nears, ‘Matchday Live’ will be up and running at around 6pm. Sports editor will be in position at The Halliwell Jones Stadium to bring you all the build-up, match action as it happens and post-match reaction.

You will be able to join in the discussion with us via our social media channels, ‘Warrington Wolves – Warrington Guardian’ on Facebook and @WG_Sport on Twitter.