Widnes Vikings play their first Super League game on Friday night when they welcome Wakefield Trinity Wildcats to the Stobart Stadium (Widnes 4/6, draw 18/1, Wakefield 6/5).

It has been 10 months since the club were awarded a place in Super League 2012 and coach Denis Betts will be hoping his team can get off to a winning start on their controversial artificial pitch.

The Vikings (11/10 Regular Season To Finish Bottom) will have a blend of youth and experience in their squad and Betts admits he is glad the first game is in front of their home fans as all the anticipation ahead of Super League has created a “nervous energy” around the club.

Betts told the Liverpool Echo there is “real positivity” around Widnes too and he is boosted by a fully-fit squad to choose from ahead of the visit of the Wildcats (Wakefield 7/2 Regular Season To Finish Bottom).

“We’re pretty lucky at the moment, our whole squad’s ready to play,” said the coach. “When you look around the league there are some teams who’ve already suffered knocks.

“The lads here have bashed each other and been very physical but we’re in a really good state.”

The new i-pitch artificial surface at the Stobart Stadium is likely to get a lot of attention and Widnes vice-captain Shaun Briscoe recently said he is hoping it will give them “a bit of an advantage” against visiting teams.