Trinity aiming to keep momentum on short trip to Odsal
Wakefield Trinity arrive at Bradford's Odsal Stadium on Thursday evening chasing another result that would further underline a remarkable season back in the top flight. The club sit third in the Betfred Super League and, with victory in this fixture, could rise to second — just two points behind Leeds Rhinos — such is the tightness of the table.
Coach warns against looking too far ahead
While that prospect is tantalising for supporters, head coach Daryl Powell has emphasised caution. He told reporters that the squad must remain focused on immediate targets and keep building momentum rather than speculating about final placings.
“There’s loads of water to go under the bridge… We are not even thinking about that, if we thought that way it would be crazy,”
Powell pointed out that a play-off spot is still something the club must secure game by game. He stressed the benefits of finishing as high as possible inside the top six, noting that teams finishing third or fourth earn a home tie in the play-offs, while first or second brings a week off and a home semi-final.
Form, fixtures and what’s at stake
Trinity have been in strong form, including a 20-6 win at Hull KR last week — a result Powell called a significant mental boost. He warned, however, that the run-in will be demanding: the squad faces several fixtures against teams currently inside the top seven and there are “some really big games” ahead at Belle Vue.
- Current league position: Third (can move to second with a win)
- Immediate opponents: Bradford Bulls at Odsal Stadium
- Recent results: Trinity 20-6 Hull KR; Bulls 30-14 Huddersfield
Where a result would leave Wakefield
Powell said the group must keep “chalking wins off” and improve both individually and collectively to capitalise on their position. Trinity are narrowly behind rivals on points difference — currently trailing Wigan Warriors on for-and-against — and sit four points clear of seventh-placed Warrington Wolves. That margin makes every remaining league game significant as teams jostle for top-six places and the best possible play-off seeding.
| Position | Club | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Leeds Rhinos | Wakefield two points behind if Trinity win |
| 3 | Wakefield Trinity | Can move up to second with victory |
| — | Wigan Warriors | Wakefield currently behind on for-and-against |
| 7 | Warrington Wolves | Four points behind Wakefield |
The short journey across West Yorkshire makes Thursday’s clash a timely test of Wakefield’s resolve. Powell believes the players are still developing and that continued individual improvement will stand the club in good stead for the post-season:
“If players keep getting better, I feel there’s still growth within us individually and collectively, then I think we’ll be fine.”
For supporters, the evening at Odsal will be another chance to witness whether Trinity can sustain their run of results and secure the best possible position heading into the play-offs. With five of the remaining nine regular-season fixtures against sides in the top seven, every point now carries extra weight.
