SUPER LEAGUE MATCH PREVIEW: Salford Red Devils vs Warrington Wolves
SQUAD NEWS
Salford Red Devils
Ian Watson welcomes new signing Jake Shorrocks into the side, as Niall Evalds (Concussion) drops out. Jake Bibby also moves into the side at the expense of George Griffin.
After a depleted Salford side lost to Leeds on Easter Monday, the return of Captain Mark Flanagan, Lee Mossop and Craig Kopczak will have fans hoping they can get back on track.
Salford 19-man squad: Johnson, Welham, Sa’u, Lui, Littlejohn, Kopczak, Tomkins, Jones, Hauraki, Flanagan, Tasi, Lannon, Burgess, Nakubuwai, Wood, Olpherts, Mossop, Bibby, Shorrocks
Warrington Wolves
Steve Price makes just one change to his squad as Ben Murdoch-Masila (knee) misses out on his return to the AJ Bell Stadium, with Morgan Smith taking his place.
After winning their ‘splashdown’ at Castleford on Easter Monday, Warrington come into the game full of confidence, having won their previous four games and it seems they are finally fulfilling their pre-season hype.
Warrington 19-man squad: Akauola, Atkins, Brown, Charnley, Clark, Cooper, Crosby, Currie, Goodwin, Hill, Hughes, G. King, T. King, Lineham, Philbin, Ratchford, Roberts, Smith, Westwood.
HEAD TO HEAD
Despite their inconsistencies this season, Salford will come into the derby clash with confidence after grabbing wins in two of the previous three meetings between the sides.
Salford also edge the stats in recent times, crossing for 12 tries in the three previous meetings compared to Warrington’s eight. However, Warrington picked up the last win during January’s pre-season matchup.
The form of the Wolves coming into the game points to them as favourites, yet an upset could well be on the cards for Ian Watson’s red devils. .
KEY BATTLE- The Forward Battle
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The loss of Ben Murdoch-Masila is a huge loss for Warrington; his destructive running game is a vital strike weapon which takes a lot of pressure off the Wolves forwards and indeed terrorised the visiting defence.
However, one man that stood up last week was Daryl Clark, the former man of steel haunting his side as he looked back to his electric best.
If Chris Hill, Ben Westwood and Co can get a roll on the Salford pack, this will give Clark the space he needs to strike and possibly win the game.
Lee Mossop and Craig Kopczak both missed the Easter fixture against Leeds and will need a strong showing to halt the Wolve’s forwards.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Saturday 7th April
Venue: AJ Bell Stadium
Kick-off: 3:15
Referee: Gareth Hewer
WHO WILL WIN?
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