The second game on Sunday takes place with Salford hosting London at the AJ Bell Stadium. Here’s everything you need to know.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Salford Red Devils
The Red Devils season flew off with a convincing victory away at the Huddersfield Giants. Niall Evalds was the star-man getting a hat-trick in the second half and will look to play their first game of the season at their home ground the AJ Bell Stadium.
London Broncos
The Broncos also had an amazing start to their Super League campaign. This will their first season in the top flight after coming back from relegation from the last ever Super 8’s play-offs.
They two earned a convincing win over Wakefield Trinity with 42 points to 24.
SQUAD NEWS
Salford Red Devils
Head coach Ian Watson has named an unchanged 19-man squad.
Both Ken Sio and Gil Dudson debuted for the Red Devils and both men will be in line to make their competitive home debuts for Salford this weekend. In fact, if he is selected, Dudson will make his 200th career appearance.
Logan Tomkins made his timely return to the Salford side at Huddersfield and is in line to feature again. Tyrone McCarthy and Jake Bibby will be looking to make their first appearances of the 2019 Betfred Super League season.
Salford’s 19-man squad:
Evalds, Welham, Sa’u, Bibby, Lui, Mossop, Dudson, Jones, Griffin, Flanagan, Lussick, Burke, McCarthy, Nakubuwai, Tomkins, Olpherts, Sio, Turgut, Hastings.
London Broncos
Head coach Danny Ward welcomes the big challenge of playing their first away game of the season and has welcomed a 19-man squad that will hope to keep their momentum going.
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London’s 19-man squad:
Abdull, Adebiyi, Battye, Cunningham, Dixon, Fleming, Fozard, Gee, Ioane, Kear, Lovell, Mason, Morgan, Pelissier, Pitts, Richards, Walker, Williams, Yates.
HEAD TO HEAD
It wasn’t long ago that both sides were fighting it out in the Super 8’s qualifiers with both teams successfully making it to Super League for 2019 but both sides will playing harder than ever with precious league points at stake.
The Broncos have a good recent record against the Red Devils and so it will be interesting to see if they can extend their run over the northern side.
KEY BATTLE
Jackson Hastings (Salford) vs Jordan Abdull (London)
With London looking better on record than Salford, the Red Devils will be looking their star-man Jackson Hastings who had the sun shining down on him during their Super 8’s campaign.
Former Hull FC player Jordan Abdull will be the man to oppose him in the half-back position. Although it’s early days the statistics will be looking for Abdull as he has recorded one assist and one conversion.
Hastings two has recorded one assist is looking to average five metres in gain of possession. Will be an interesting battle between the playmakers come Sunday.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Sunday 10th February
Venue: AJ Bell Stadium
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: James Child
WHO WILL WIN?
It will be a close game between the two sides who both have had terrific starts to the season. Although I would tip Salford to win by a 24 points to 12.
