The third last round of Super League matches prior to the mid-season split begins with a clash between Warrington and Salford on Thursday night. Warrington can move to within one point of the top two with a win here while Salford know if they are to avoid the Middle 8s again they have to win after having their point deduction confirmed on Thursday.
Warrington Wolves
The Wolves go into this match in decent form having lost just one of their last six matches although last week’s draw at Hull KR derailed their train slightly. They will be looking to pick up their good form though going into what is the business part of the season.
Warrington’s only defeat in that run was against the league leaders Hull FC so it isn’t like that was a terrible result or anything but with the race for the Leaders’ Shield beginning to heat up the Wolves can’t afford to hit a flat spot if they are to be in contention for that honour.
Salford Red Devils
Matchday began badly for the Red Devils when their appeal of their point deduction was thrown out on the morning of the game but at least they now have some certainty over their position in the league table and can focus on winning matches and trying to force their way into the top eight in three week’s time.
Salford kept their hopes of making it into the top eight alive with a victory from behind to the Castleford Tigers last week and they will be looking to build on that win over the coming weeks even if they don’t manage to save themselves from the ignominy of the Middle 8s.
Team News
Warrington welcome the suspended Ashton Sims and Ryan Atkins back from their suspensions while Tom Lineham also gets a recall to the squad but Kurt Gidley remains on the sidelines with injury which isn’t ideal.
Salford Red Devils have Mason Caton-Brown and Ryan Lannon back in their squad for this match. They replace Josh Griffin and Phil Joseph. Michael Dobson and Robert Lui are both sit to start the game in the halves.
Betting
Warrington are the favourites for this match which is about right and they are giving up 12pts on the handicaps which is probably fair too but without Kurt Gidley I’m not full of will to back that I have to say.
Going back to the reverse meeting between these two earlier in the season Warrington won by a point with a late Chris Sandow drop goal but it was a high scoring match and on a perfect evening for rugby league I suspect this one might follow suit.
Four of the last six matches between these two sides have contained more than 50pts so there is a history of high scoring whenever these two collide and I think that is a trend that can continue here with over 46.5pts being the best looking bet to me.
Tips
WON – Back Over 46.5pts for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Bet365
Back it here:
