High flying Warrington Wolves welcome out of form Salford Red Devils to the Halliwell Jones Stadium for this super league round 22 clash. Here is everything you need to know.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Warrington Wolves
Warrington are looking to follow up from their 36-6 win away at London last time out. They currently sit second, four points clear of Hull FC, but the black and whites have played a game more. Steve Prices men have won 15 games, and lost six so far, with one of the losses coming against their A57 rivals.
Salford Red Devils
Salford come into this match off a 18-36 defeat to Huddersfield last week. They currently sit seventh, level on points with Wakefield and two points behind Castleford tigers who sit sixth. They have won nine games and lost 12 games. The Reds are currently on a two games losing streak.
SQUAD NEWS
Warrington Wolves
Steve Price has kept the same 19 man squad from last weeks win at London. This means that new signing Luther Burrell could be line to make his home debut for the Wire.
http://gty.im/1154156357
In other squad news this week, winger Josh Charnley has extended his contract with the Wolves to November 2022.
Warrington 19-man squad: Akauola, Austin, Burrell, Charnley, D Clark, J Clark, Cooper, Currie, Davis, Goodwin, Hughes, King, Lineham, Mamo, Moran, Patton, Philbin, Tasi, Walker
Salford Red Devils
Ian Watson has made three changes to the side that lost last week against Huddersfield. New Signing Josh Johnson has moved straight into the 19, with Adam Walker and Adam Lawton also joining him. They replace, Ben Nakubuwai, Derrell Olpherts and Ken Sio Drop out.
This game is the first match since Salford annouced that Jackson Hasting would be leaving at the end of the season.
Salford 19-man squad: Evalds, Welham, Sa’u, Bibby, Dudson, Jones, Flanagan, Lussick, Walker, Burke, McCarthy, Tomkins, Johnson, Lawton, Inu, Lannon, Lolohea, Hastings, Johnson
HEAD TO HEAD
The last meeting between these two sides was a 12-36 win for Salford. With Jackson Hastings steeling the show back when these two met last time out. However, he didn’t score a single point. The tries for his side came from, Kris Welham, Daniel Murray, Joey Lussick, Rob Lui and Jake Bibby. Although Lui and Murray are not currently at the club. Whilst for the Wire, Bryson Goodwin and Man of Steel leader Blake Austin scored for the Wire.
In the last five meetings between these two sides, Warrington have won two and Salford three. Warrington will be looking to take advantage of the Loop fixture system in place for 2019, and get back to Winning ways over Salford. One battle that will need to be watched during this one is the battle between the top two on the Man of Steel rankings, Blake Austin and Jackson Hastings, with Austin currently leading by three points, as we go into the final round the points will be made public.
KEY BATTLE
Jack Hughes (Warrington Wolves) v Josh Jones (Salford Red Devils)
The key battle is of the Second rows. In the Wolves corner is co-club captain Jack Hughes. The England international had been a key part of the Wire’s success this year. With over 500 tackles, 32 tackle busts and also 3 tries from 20 league appearance this year. When they played Salford earlier this year, he made 44 tackles. So he will have a big impact in defence, and also knows where the line is. He is the perfect all rounder.
http://gty.im/1154156359
Whilst for the Red Devils is Josh Jones. Jones has announced earlier this year that he is leaving the side and has moved down the M62 to Hull FC. He has been ever constant in the Salford Side this season, and has been one of the key players for Ian Watson this season. With over 300 carries, 500 tackles and has scored 3 tries so far. He will be looking to be a nuisance for the Wire in this one.
http://gty.im/1153784231
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Friday 12 July
Venue: The Halliwell Jones Stadium
Kick-off: 19:45
Referee: Chris Kendall
WHO WILL WIN?
I think that Warrington will make amends for the defeat earlier in the season. As Steve Price said earlier this week, “We were embarrassed by Salford last time we met and that doesn’t sit well with us.” So I think the Wire will come out with a extreme ruthless edge, and will win comfortably. Wolves by 30
