Huddersfield travel to seventh-placed Salford in search of a win that could move them four points clear of London Broncos at the foot of the Super League table.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Salford Red Devils
Sitting pretty in mid-table, Salford fans can relax, and their team did too when their flowing, expansive play saw them hammer London Broncos 28-58 seven days ago.
Tries from Mark Flanagan, Josh Jones, Tui Lolohea, Kris Welham, Jackson Hastings, a brace from Krisnan Inu and a hattrick from Niall Evalds ensured one of Salford’s biggest wins of the season.
Huddersfield Giants
After a crucial 12-18 win against relegation rivals Hull Kingston Rovers, Huddersfield were on the end of a mauling from Leeds Rhinos last time out.
The Giants were humiliated 0-44 in their own back yard by their fellow strugglers and failed to score in what was, most definitely, their worst performance of the season.
SQUAD NEWS
Salford Red Devils
Ryan Lannon is set to enter the frey for the visit of Huddersfield after the back-row forward’s loan from Hull KR was extended.
Winger Ken Sio also comes into the squad that beat London Broncos last Sunday.
Salford Red Devils 19-man squad: Evalds, Welham, Bibby, Mossop, Dudson, Jones, Flanagan, Lussick, Walker, Burke, McCarthy, Tomkins, Olpherts, Sio, Inu, Lannon, Lolohea, Hastings, Johnson.
Huddersfield Giants
Joe Wardle returns after missing the last seven games through injury.
The second-rower replaces Aaron Murphy, who picked up an ankle injury in the loss to Leeds, while Tom Holmes and Sebastine Ikahihifo both come in.
Huddersfield Giants 19-man squad: McIntosh, McGillvary, Gaskell, Leeming, Matagi, Mellor, Lawrence, O’Brien, Roberts, Ta’ai, English, Jake Wardle, Russell, Holmes, Ikahihifo, L Senior, I Senior, Joe Wardle, Wilson.
HEAD TO HEAD
Rather surprisingly, Huddersfield came away from the previous meeting with a quite brilliant 18-36 win at the AJ Bell Stadium. Matty English, Louis Senior, Kruise Leeming, Ukuma Ta’ai and Jake Wardle all crossed as the Giants picked up a vital two points in their bid for survival.
England winger Darnell McIntosh also scored a brace and was the standout performer on the night, so expect him to be play a crucial role if Huddersfield are to repeat the feat.
KEY BATTLE
Niall Evalds (Salford Red Devils) vs Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield Giants)
Evalds has long been one of Salford’s best players – his hattrick last time out showed that. With Huddersfield’s defence being one of the leakiest in the division, his quick-thinking and brilliant hand speed is likely to cause havoc once again – he may even grab another treble.
On the other side of the coin is Jermaine McGillvary. Huddersfield’s main man has gone missing over the last few weeks at the time they need him most. Of course, their poor form is not only down to him, but the England winger needs to rediscover his try-scoring form – and fast. What a time it would be to end the drought.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Sunday 11th August
Venue: AJ Bell Stadium
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Referee: M. Griffiths
WHO WILL WIN?
Despite the Giants winning the last fixture between the two sides rather comfortably, at lot has changed since and their confidence appears to be at an all time low. Not ones to go down quietly, the Yorkshire side will no doubt battle and fight until the final hooter, but I can’t see past a Salford win as they aim to move back into the top six with a win. Salford win: 34-16.
