LEIGH Centurions will never get a better chance than Friday to win a "Battle of the Borough" for the first time in two decades.

With their cross-borough neighbours in turmoil after back-to-back whippings by Leeds and St Helens, Leigh will relish the chance to twist the knife and beat the old enemy for the first time since 1984.

Although Leigh's form is nothing to write home about - the Super League bottom club have lost seven on the bounce - the maulings an injury-hit and inexperienced Wigan side have suffered of late will make them more vulnerable than ever for a Friday night trip to Hilton Park.

The mental scars will still be there of the 70-0 defeat at Leeds followed by a 75-0 at St Helens in the Challenge Cup last Sunday. That was Wigan's fourth reverse in a row - their worst run of results since 1983.

Just three points away from the second relegation place, Wigan know that they are going to have to turn things round quickly or they'll be sucked into an unlikely relegation dogfight. Leigh's chances of surviving may be slim to none, but there's nothing they'd like more than to drag Wigan further into the mire at the tail end of the table.

Leigh are unlikely to show any sympathy for their neighbours' plight; instead it is a chance to redeem themselves after their own Challenge Cup shocker at Hull. They have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Ian Millward's return to lead a side out at Hilton Park for the first time since he left club is another fascinating ingredient.

Millward admits that relegation from the Super League is a real threat to his struggling Wigan side.

"Just because we are Wigan doesn't give us any divine right to be in Super League.

"We are in a situation where we need to win games, but we haven't scored a try in two games and have conceded over 140 points in those two games. I know the whole town of Leigh will have been waiting for this one and it will be like going into a bear pit. I just hope I come out the other side with a smile on my face," said the coach Leigh fans know as Basil.

An ankle ligament injury to Kevin Brown in Saturday's mauling at Saints, and continuing doubts about Terry Newton's fitness, leave Wigan with further selection problems. Their only boost comes with Kiwi centre David Vaealiki returning after several weeks out. Liam Botham is also back after being cup tied.

Leigh have also sprung a selection surprise by including Oli Wilkes in their initial squad. The popular back rower wasn't expected to figure until much later in the season after having shoulder surgery following an injury against London Broncos in March.

Robbie Mears and Warren Stevens return after being cup tied while there is a place in the squad for Phil Jones despite him dislocating a finger at Hull.

Dom Feaunati will not be with Leigh next season. The Samoan international has agreed a contract to return to rugby union with London Irish.