Wire come into this game on the back of a terrific win over St Helens last week while Wakefield's home fixture with Catalans was postponed due to weather conditions.
This week's squad news has been dominated by Anthony Gelling, who will be unavailable for the time being due to his ongoing situation with the police, which means that a spot at centre is available. That spot could be taken by Keanan Brand or Jake Mamo, both of whom are in the 21-man-squad, or we could see a change in position for Stefan Ratchford, Luther Burrell or Ben Currie. On a far more positive front, Wire’s marquee signing Gareth Widdop is in the 21-man-squad too and is in line to make his long-awaited debut for the Wolves. Declan Patton and Leilani Latu won’t be making their first appearances of the season though, as they haven’t made Wire’s 21 but could line up for Widnes in their championship game with London as part of a dual-registration agreement.
With all that in mind, let’s see how I would like to see the Wire line up...
Full Back - 26 Matty Ashton
Even with the return of Widdop, I think I would still keep Ashton at full-back. His first two performances have been so good there and I think this is where he will find most broken field to attack with his searing pace on a small pitch.
Winger - 2 Tom Lineham
Lineham's place was perhaps under some threat after Ashton's impressive start, though Lineham himself was superb last week and will certainly keep his place out wide here.
Centre - 4 Toby King
It'll be an interesting game for King as he is going to have a new partner in the centres but he is a certainty on the teamsheet, though there is some question over which side he will play at, I've guessed that he will stay on Lineham's side.
Centre - 1 Stefan Ratchford
The big decision this week was who to play in Gelling's vacated spot at centre. I've picked Ratchford, who I've wanted to see at centre for years. The return of Widdop means that he would've had to move anyway and I think he has a good passing partnership with Josh Charnley out wide. I gave a lot of consideration to Jake Mamo and Keanan Brand too though.
Winger - 5 Josh Charnley
Charnley is one of few Wire players who has absolutely no question over his place and that's because of his consistency. It was good to see him get more ball last week and this is something the team should look to do again - I really think he'd benefit from having Ratchford with him.
Stand-Off - 6 Blake Austin
It's a big day in the halves for Wire as Austin is likely to link up with Gareth Widdop for the first time. We're yet to see Austin score this season but you'd back him here, he made breaks aplenty against Wakefield last season.
Scrum-Half - 7 Gareth Widdop
Everyone is excited to see this man in action. Possibly Wire's biggest signing since Andrew Johns, Widdop will be looking to make a significant impact on debut. I'm particularly looking forward to seeing his kicking game and passes out wide - can he be the piece in the jigsaw that the attack missed last season?
Prop - 15 Joe Philbin
Wire's forwards were tremendous last week and Joe Philbin staked his claim for a starting berth in the pack with a huge display. The academy graduate should definitely keep his place for this one in Chris Hill's continued absence.
Hooker - 9 Daryl Clark
Last week was a reminder, not that it was needed, that Daryl Clark is one of the very best players in this competition. In a game where we are likely to have the majority of possession, Clark's distribution of the ball and runs from dummy-half will be key.
Prop - 10 Mike Cooper
As mentioned with Philbin, the forward pack was incredible last week as Steve Price's middle men dominated the Saints. Cooper rolled back the years with his performance and will be key here this weekend as his pack faces up to one missing the fearsome David Fifita.
Second Row - 11 Ben Currie
There was some talk of Currie possibly plugging the gap at centre but I don't think that's really a possibility while Jack Hughes is still unavailable as who would take Currie's place in the second row? I'd also be hesitant to move Currie after he put in such a good showing last week.
Second Row - 13 Ben Murdoch-Masila
Along with Ashton and Ratchford, Murdoch-Masila has been Wire's best player so far this season. He has looked unstoppable with the ball in hand and draws the attention of so many players, creating gaps for others. More of that on Sunday please.
Loose Forward - 14 Jason Clark
I've been far more happy with the contribution of Jason Clark so far this season. He is probably playing for a place in the team though, as when Hughes returns it could be between him, Murdoch-Masila and Clark for the loose forward spot.
Interchange - 20 Danny Walker
Walker was outstanding against Wigan when he came on from the bench, playing the ball beautifully from dummy-half, though got limited minutes last week thanks to a virtuoso Daryl Clark performance. If Wire are chasing the game or comfortably in front in the latter stages, Walker will come on.
Interchange - 18 Sitaleki Akauola
An impact forward if you ever saw one, Akauola is capable of putting in the huge hits when he comes on. It was good to see him do a longer stint last week, I'd like him to do that this week too as it's likely to be a heavy afternoon for the forwards.
Interchange - 19 Matt Davis
Davis is a fine little player and has been a real find for Warrington. His impact from the bench is clear for all to see and I expect him to keep his spot for this one.
Interchange - 23 Luther Burrell
Burrell would probably prefer to start this weekend’s fixture at centre and while that is a possibility, I think Price sees him as more of a forward, judging from how he has been used from the bench in the opening two games, so that’s where I expect him to stay.
Wire’s biggest selection headache surrounds who takes Gelling’s spot at centre. Any of Ratchford, Mamo or Brand would interest me. If we were to choose Mamo, Brand or Burrell, then Ratchford would drop back to full-back and Ashton would go on the bench, which I’d be fine with too. In terms of Wakefield, they are plagued with injuries and are missing their star forward David Fifita, and there will be no reunion for former Wire man Ryan Atkins either. However, they possess dangerous backs in Bill Tupou and Tom Johnstone. I think Wire will have enough to get the job done here - the team have been very impressive in the first two games and now we’re about to add Gareth Widdop into that.
Predicted Wakefield team:
Jowitt; Johnstone, Lyne, Tupou, Kershaw; Miller, Hampshire; Tangiona, J Wood, Kopzcak; Ashurst, Pitts; Westerman.
Interchanges: K Wood, Navarette, Kirmond, King
What do you think? What would your team for Sunday be?
Round Three Predictions
Wigan to beat Toronto by 24-29 points
Leeds to beat Hull KR by 6-11 points
Salford to beat Huddersfield by 1-5 points
Catalans to beat Castleford by 6-11 points
Hull FC to beat St Helens by 6-11 points
Warrington to beat Wakefield by 12-17 points
Daniel (@aloosewire)
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