WORCESTER Warriors travel to Coventry on Saturday to face Wasps in another huge tussle in the fight to avoid relegation from Gallagher Premiership (3pm).

Geoff Berkeley, Warriors reporter at the Worcester News, and Bobby Bridge, Wasps correspondent at the Coventry Telegraph, share their thoughts ahead of the much-anticipated clash.

What is Worcester/Wasps form like entering this match?

Bobby: The form book shows four-consecutive Gallagher Premiership defeats for Wasps and just two wins in nine games across all competitions during 2019.

Since winning four of their opening five league games in September, only three victories have been registered in their subsequent 22 games across all competitions.

Also causing concern is their Ricoh Arena form, winning just two of their last nine front-line games in front of their home supporters.

Looking deeper than final results, Wasps can count themselves unlucky to have lost against Newcastle Falcons and Leicester Tigers with late heartbreak arriving in both, and for 30 minutes against Gloucester they silenced Kingsholm before the Cherry and Whites rallied before half-time.

Geoff: Doom and gloom began to cloud over Warriors after their demoralising 17-6 defeat at Newcastle Falcons four weeks ago.

But Worcester have rebuilt their confidence since then and will arrive at the Ricoh Arena quietly optimistic of pulling off a victory.

Warriors fought back valiantly in a 33-30 loss to Exeter Chiefs before claiming a morale-boosting 27-25 win at Bristol Bears.

A late penalty denied Warriors a place in the European Challenge Cup semi-finals.

But with several players rested and others given 40 minutes in the 18-16 defeat to Harlequins they would not have lost much sleep over their cup exit.

Are there any selection headaches for the directors of rugby?

Bobby: For once, Wasps have a lot of big decisions to make ahead of the Worcester match.

All three frontline tightheads; Kieran Brookes, Jake Cooper-Woolley and Will Stuart, are back in the mix so one quality option will miss out.

At loosehead, experienced campaigner Simon McIntyre could start his first Premiership game of the season.

Nizaam Carr, Thomas Young, Brad Shields, Ashley Johnson and Nizaam Carr and Nathan Hughes are battling it out for back-row starting roles and a place on the bench.

It's been a long time since Wasps had this kind of selection problem.

Another fascinating decision to be made is where Elliot Daly is deployed. A poll we ran on CoventryLive suggested outside centre is our readers' preferred position.

Geoff: Not too many as Alan Solomons has been pretty consistent with his starting line-up in the Premiership.

Centre Francois Venter and fly-half Jono Lance have recovered from head injuries to come back into contention.

But Solomons is likely to stick with Ben Te’o and Ryan Mills in midfield and Duncan Weir’s unerring accuracy from the tee is set to see him get the nod at stand-off.

Warriors will also be boosted by the return of Wales wing Josh Adams as well as prop Nick Schonert, lock Anton Bresler and back rowers Marco Mama and Ted Hill who sat out the Quins match.

Who do you see as being the pivotal player, the game breaker, in this clash?

Bobby: The energy and endeavour Thomas Young brings in both defence and attack are pivotal for Wasps' fortunes.

They've missed him keenly against Newcastle Falcons and Gloucester - as well as the majority of the Leicester Tigers game after suffering a hip injury inside two minutes.

Alongside Dan Robson, the openside has become one of Wasps' most influential performers this season and they look like a different side when both are in the starting 15.

With Jack Willis out injured, Young's dogged breakdown work is key in slowing opposition ball and he also provides a great linking option between forwards and backs.

Geoff: Bryce Heem. The destructive wing has caused defences all sorts of problems this season and will be a huge loss to the club when he leaves in the summer.

Heem was instrumental in Warriors’ comeback to beat Wasps 35-23 in the Premiership Cup in February, scoring two tries and will be looking to be a menace once again.

The New Zealander is not only an impressive finisher, weighing in with 12 touchdown, but also Warriors’ most dangerous ball-carrier and effective defender, winning 14 turnovers – a tally only bettered by England’s Tom Curry (16).

Weir’s trusty boot could also prove decisive in this battle.

Which unavailable player's absence will be most keenly felt?

Bobby: Dan Robson (blood clots) and Jimmy Gopperth (knee) are the names that spring to mind.

Fortunately Wasps have experienced Premiership performer Joe Simpson to step into the nine shirt whereas the solution at inside centre has not been as straightforward.

Robson adds so much tempo to Wasps' game as well as providing an individual try-scoring/creating threat.

But all season Wasps have pined for Gopperth who suffered a terrible knee injury in pre-season. His composure and distribution from 12 have been sorely lacking, as has his support for fellow Kiwi Lima Sopoaga during his first season in English rugby.

So I'll go with Jimmy. No, Dan.

Jimmy.

Geoff: Judging by Solomons’ comments this week it looks like he will have a largely full-strength squad to pick from.

Captain Gerrit-Jan van Velze (fractured arm) is set to miss the rest of the season and hooker Jack Singleton (elbow) remains sidelined.

But Warriors have managed well without them in recent weeks with Mama shining at number eight.

Although Worcester have Mills, Te’o and Venter to choose from at centre Ollie Lawrence’s season-ending ankle injury is a blow.

The 19-year-old offers something which the others do not have and that is searing pace and an ability to slice through teams.

Where do you see the game being won/lost?

Bobby: Discipline. There's so much at stake in this game I sense it will be played out at Test-match intensity.

Often when the pressure levels reach boiling point it is place kicks that settle games and both sides have fine exponents over a tee.

Warriors fly-half Duncan Weir is the division's second-highest point scorer while Wasps have Lima Sopoaga and Elliot Daly on hand to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Wasps outscored Leicester Tigers by two tries to one recently but a 15-6 penalty count against them allowed Joe Ford to kick Tigers to a 19-14 win.

I feel whoever gets on the right side of the referee's calls will triumph at the Ricoh Arena.

Geoff: The opening 20 minutes. Far too often Warriors have started slowly this season and left themselves chasing the scoreline.

Worcester have managed to stage several notable comebacks in 2019, memorably beating Bath in the 19 minute of added time.

But with Wasps desperate for a victory they need to stay in touch and give themselves a chance in the final moments.

Warriors possess a dangerous back-line but can lose their way when confidence dips. The start will play a big role in that.

If they can come out of the traps well Worcester’s attack should flow and will believe they can stun the home side.

Sum up how big a game this is in the context of your club's season...

Bobby: Colossal, massive, mammoth! Why? Look at Wasps' run-in. Exeter Chiefs (A), Saracens (H), Bath (A), Harlequins (H). A terrifying proposition if they desperately need a win to stay up.

Victory over Worcester coupled with favourable results elsewhere would essentially mean it would require a three-game swing for Wasps to go down.

I've seen on social media some refer to this as Wasps' biggest game since their 2016/17 Premiership final, and I can see why.

Defeat doesn't consign Wasps to relegation, one more victory is likely to be all Dai Young's side need to stave off that threat, but the games are fast running out and this is their most winnable on paper.

Geoff: It goes without saying that every match is massive with Warriors just three points above a resurgent Newcastle side.

Worcester have tended to struggle on the road in the Premiership and have not won away at Wasps since January 1, 2012. I know that as I was at Adams Park that day to see Worcester win 6-0. Yes, you did read that scoreline correctly!

Warriors would take another slender victory and will hope to extend Wasps’ four-match losing streak.

With home clashes against Sale Sharks and Gloucester to come success in Coventry would be a huge boost to Worcester’s survival bid.

Predictions...

Bobby: Wasps 24 Worcester 18 - a couple of tries apiece but Wasps to edge it with a couple more penalties.

Geoff: Wasps 30 Worcester 27 - an enthralling game with the hosts hanging on and Warriors claiming a bonus point after a late surge.