Second-bottom Batley Bulldogs are at home to a Celtic Crusaders side on a high after winning a top-flight licence for the next three years earlier this week.

The team below them – Dewsbury Rams – visit Widnes Vikings, who are reeling from the shock of being told they failed to make the grade.

Coach Gary Thornton is hoping Batley can rain on Crusaders' parade.

"I don't know how they are going to react," said Thornton, whose team are on a seven-game losing run.

"I am hoping they are still going to be in a bit of a party mood, but who knows?

"We can only worry about ourselves. I have been encouraged by our last two performances, we have played some good stuff and we've got to take that into a home game, because we've under-performed in front of our own fans this year."

Batley were crushed 56-28 by Celtic in Bridgend earlier in the season, after having centre Danny Maun sent off.

"We conceded a lot of points, but we scored a lot as well," said Thornton.

"A lot of their points came after we went down to 12 men and we were confident then that we could give them a game at home.

"They have had a bit of a lull in form, but it is all down to us, how we approach the game and how we prepare."

Loose-forward Mark Toohey is back in contention for Bulldogs after injury and Craig Potter and Anthony England are also recalled, with Jon Simpson dropping out.

Meanwhile Rams boss Warren Jowitt is expecting a Widnes backlash.

"They didn't get into Super League and they will have a point to prove," he said.

"It is a big game, but every game is a must-win for us now. It is going to be a big challenge and hopefully we can rise to it."

Dewsbury are seven points adrift at the foot of the table, with five games to play.

"If we play like we did in the second half against Sheffield last week, we'll be all right," added Jowitt.

"Widnes are a good team with a lot of Super League experience, but we can't worry about them. It is all about us."

Rams are struggling with injuries, so centre Simon Cook and forwards Jake Wilson and James Walker have been drafted into Jowitt's squad.

Batley Bulldogs (v Celtic) from: Preece, McGilvray, King, Murphy, Campbell, Barlow, Mennell, Stenchion, Lythe, Smith, Crouthers, Spears, Toohey, Boothroyd, Archibald, Henderson, England, Potter.

Referee: Paul Carr (Castleford).

Kick-off: Tomorrow, 3pm.

Dewsbury Rams (at Widnes) from: Glynn, Lingard, Powell, Buchanan, Epati, Bostock, Weeden, Finn, Haigh, Maloney, Charles, Glassie, Crawley, Wilson, Walker, Cook, Tillotson.

Referee: Gareth Hewer (Whitehaven).

Kick-off: Tomorrow, 3pm.