Why should I watch?

To see if The Wire can break a growing hoodoo that has crept up on them in the past few years.

Tomorrow sees Magic Weekend return to Newcastle for the fourth year in a row. In the previous three, Warrington are yet to win on Tyneside.

They lost to Saints in 2015 and Castleford in 2016, while Wigan snatched a 24-24 draw with the game’s final play last year.

However, Steve Price’s side seem well equipped to break that streak and set a new record of their own.

An 11th victory in a row would set a Super League era club record for consecutive wins as well as cementing their places as genuine challengers for honours.

Warrington Guardian:

The Wire have already beaten Wigan once in 2018, a 16-10 back in February. Can they do it again tomorrow? Picture by Mike Boden

What they’ve said:

“We’ll keep taking it week by week and keep growing that belief and trust in the group. It’s certainly showing out on the pitch.

“Wigan are a quality team and are the benchmark along with St Helens.

“There’s a lot of strong belief within both teams, so hopefully that will make for a great spectacle.”

Steve Price, Warrington Wolves head coach

Warrington Guardian:

“They’re flying at the moment, it’s a big game.

“They pumped us when we came back from Australia and were very worthy winners, I want us to perform better than we did that night.

“Josh (Charnley) is playing well, he’s killing it. We just need to take care of him and put him under some pressure.”

Shaun Wane, Wigan Warriors head coach

Warrington Guardian:

Numbers game:

Kevin Brown is the only player on show this weekend to have appeared in every single Magic Weekend since the concept’s inception.

After playing for Warrington at last year’s event, the half-back has also made Magic Weekend appearances for Widnes (2013-16) and Huddersfield (2007-2012)

Warrington Guardian:

Kevin Brown will extend his record of playing at every Magic Weekend since its inception. Picture by Mike Boden

Warrington team news:

For the third game in a row, Steve Price is able to name an unchanged 19-man squad.

That looks set to translate into the same matchday 17 as the one that beat Toronto Wolfpack in the Challenge Cup on Sunday, barring any late injuries.

Squad: Sitaleki Akauola, Ryan Atkins, Kevin Brown, Mitch Brown Josh Charnley, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Bryson Goodwin, Chris Hill, Jack Hughes, George King, Tom Lineham, Harvey Livett, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Dec Patton, Joe Philbin, Stefan Ratchford, Tyrone Roberts, Ben Westwood.

Warrington Guardian:

The Wire are set to name an unchanged matchday 17 once again. Picture by Mike Boden

Wigan team news:

The Warriors are missing captain Sean O'Loughlin with a calf problem, but influential half-back George Williams returns from a wrist injury.

Full-back Morgan Escare also comes back into contention for the Warriors.

Squad: John Bateman, Tony Clubb, Tom Davies, Morgan Escaré, Liam Farrell, Ben Flower, Oliver Gildart, Willie Isa, Tommy Leuluai, Liam Marshall, Romain Navarrete, Sam Powell, Dan Sarginson, Ryan Sutton, Taulima Tautai, Joel Tomkins, Sam Tomkins, George Williams, Josh Woods.

Warrington Guardian:

Sean O'Loughlin, seen here preparing for contact with former teammate Dom Crosby, is missing for Wigan. Picture by Mike Boden

One to watch:

Oliver Gildart

Fresh from signing a new three-year deal with Wigan, Gildart is part of the Warriors’ revered left-edge attack.

He has formed lethal partnerships with both Joe Burgess and Liam Marshall on that side and has a happy knack of creating and scoring tries.

The reigning Super League Young Player of the Year made his debut against Warrington at The Halliwell Jones Stadium in 2015, scoring in a 28-0 win for the Cherry and Whites.

Warrington Guardian:

Oliver Gildart has just signed a new three-year deal with Wigan Warriors

Match odds (via Betfred):

Wigan 8/11

Warrington 6/5

Draw 22/1

Essential info:

When: Saturday, May 19, 2018

Kick off: 5.15pm

Where: St James’ Park, Barrack Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4ST

Warrington Guardian:

The iconic St James' Park will once again be the setting for Magic Weekend. Picture by Mike Boden

Officials:

Referee: Robert Hicks

Touch judges: M Griffiths, J Roberts

Video referee: James Child

How can I follow the game?

The Warrington Guardian has a full day of coverage to take in all the fun and festivities Magic Weekend has to offer.

Sports editor Mike Parsons, sports reporter Matt Turner and photographer Mike Boden will all be on location at St James’ Park, so don’t be afraid to say hello and have a chat if you spot us!

We’ll be in and around the fan zones in Newcastle getting photos for our special fans gallery to go with our usual match action photos.

‘Matchday Live’ will be available as usual to bring you all the build-up, match action and post-match reaction from the game.

Look out for our usual Facebook Live videos on the ‘Warrington Wolves – Warrington Guardian’ Facebook page both before kick off and On The Hooter, plus we’ll have post-match coach and player interviews and a man of the match poll.

As well as all that, we may have a few surprises for you across the weekend, so keep checking the Warrington Guardian website!

Warrington Guardian:

Look out for more pictures like this one over the weekend. Picture by Mike Boden