Wigan coach Matt Peet said he is expecting their toughest test of the season when Hull FC arrive at the DW Stadium tonight.
The Warriors can go top of the Betfred Super League with a win over the fifth-placed Airlie Birds.
But Peet was under no illusions about the task that faces them from a side that have won their last three games in all competitions.
He said: “Hull are coming here to win – they know they are expected to come here and put on a performance, and they’re capable of that.
“It’s a massive challenge for us.”
The Cherry and Whites have lost only once so far this season – away to last season’s Grand Finalists Catalans Dragons.
And the Warriors are boosted by the return of full-back Bevan French to the squad after not featuring since May 2021.
Peet said: “He’s an exciting and unpredictable player but we won’t be expecting too much from him this week.
“We just want him back on the field and to compete.”
The home side go into the clash with a positive head-to-head record against their opponents, having won 10 of the last 12 meetings in all competitions.
However, the visitors were victorious in the Challenge Cup quarter-final clash between the two last season, and come into this game on the back of a crushing 58-12 win over Sheffield Eagles last Saturday.
Skipper Luke Gale returns along with Kane Evans and Darnell McIntosh to a squad that saw eight different try scorers when pummelling the side from South Yorkshire.
Brett Hodgson brings his side across the Pennines with a decision to make over putting first-choice winger McIntosh straight back in or staying with 21-year-old Connor Wynne after his hat-trick from that position in the last game.
Wigan have enjoyed an extra day’s rest after their 20-0 shutout of Salford Red Devils on Friday – recuperation could be a factor in separating two sides with an almost-identical points difference.
