Super League preview: Widnes Vikings v Castleford Tigers

Denis Betts' men took a bruising in Round 23 of the Super League as they conceded 12 tries away to Hull FC.

However, despite the setback, Betts makes just one change to his 19-man squad as they look to find form having lost three of their last five outings.

The lone change sees back row David Allen miss out with half back Tom Gilmore preferred for the Vikings' penultimate home fixture.

Fighting

Just two points separate the sides who sit 11th and 12th respectively and Betts expects Sunday's game to be decided by fine margins.

"We'll certainly have our hands full and given that it's a game between two teams fighting for the same spot on the table, we know that it's going to be a tough test," he told the club's official site.

Similarly, Tigers coach Daryl Powell makes just one change to his side following their 40-30 defeat at the hands of Warrington Wolves last weekend.

James Clare makes a timely return and could make his first appearance in Castleford colours since June with Keith Mason out of action due to a nasal infection.

Better team

Although the Tigers enter the clash having won just one of their previous four encounters, assistant coach Danny Orr believes they remain favourites.

"I think that we're a better team than what we were back then, but I also think Widnes are too," he told the club's official site.

"It's going to be a tough game but if we play well then I'm sure that we can get the job done."

The Tigers were on the wrong end of a 40-10 mauling last time they crossed the Pennines to Widnes; however it was the Vikings who left the Wish Communications Stadium empty-handed back in April.

Vikings: Ah Van, K. Brown, Cahill, Clarke, Gilmore, Gore, Hanbury, Hock, Isa, Joseph, Kavanagh, Lawton, Leuluai, Marsh, Mellor, O'Carroll, Owens, Phelps, Winterstein.

Tigers: Owen, Carney, Shenton, Dixon, Ellis, Chase, Clark, Huby, Hauraki, Millington, Milner, Thompson, Massey, Tansey, Fleming, Clare, Martin, Boyle, Channing.