The highest profile weekend of the regular Super League season is upon us once again as the 12 sides head up to Newcastle for the Magic Weekend, a weekend where all six matches take place at St James’ Park across two wonderful days showcasing the sport at its best.
The opening match of this year’s Magic Weekend sees the Salford Red Devils taking on the Widnes Vikings in a match which is more than just an exhibition of skills for these two sides. Salford’s recent points deduction has seen them plummet into the bottom four and they need to come out of their quickly while a poor run of form has seen Widnes stumble down the table.
Salford Red Devils
Salford were going along nicely but then came their point deduction and all of a sudden they are six points away from securing Super League status for next season without needing to use the Middle 8s. Even if they have to go through the Middle 8s I would expect them to be too good but it doesn’t help commercially.
Having been going through a nice spell Salford have now lost three of their previous four matches in all competitions and need to end their slump soon. They have a back line who should enjoy playing on this big field and on an occasion such as this but they’ll need to be at their best to pick up the points.
Widnes Vikings
Widnes were going really well earlier in the season. They were top of the table heading into Easter but then they came unstuck against Warrington and they have now lost their last seven matches which is not good and they have pretty much wasted that excellent start they had.
Widnes are another side with a pacey, exciting back line that should like the platform they have to perform on here and if their forwards can step up this could be the day they come out of their disastrous run of results but they need a big effort.
Team news
Salford will be without their regular full back Niall Evalds as he is suspended for this match. Jake Bibby comes into the squad for him while Mark Flanagan is also back in the side for the Magic Weekend.
Widnes hope to welcome Kevin Brown back from injury and he will be a huge lift to them if he is fit to return here. Stefan Marsh and Chris Bridge missed out last week as well and they are also fit to be named in the squad for this one.
Betting
I have a feeling this might be the match that Widnes get back on track but I can’t possibly be backing them off the back of seven defeats in a row. On the flip side of that I’m in no real rush to back Salford either as they’re not in great form.
This is the fourth Magic Weekend in a row these two sides have met each other. Salford won the first of those matches but it is Widnes who have won the last two but the thing that has interested me in those matches is the fact they all contained 50pts or more.
I’ve long since had a feeling that this weekend sees more enterprising and attacking rugby because the pitch is so much bigger and the platform is so special. These two sides certainly seem to enjoy that. Both have been scoring more points this season than ones gone by so I expect the trend of high scoring matches between the two at Magic to continue.
The total points line has been priced up at 48.5 which is a touch on the conservative side to me and I’m happy to go over that to get the weekend off to an entertaining beginning.
Tips
Back Over 48.5pts for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Bet365
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