The second day of the Super League Magic Weekend at St James’ Park kicks off with two of the poorer sides in the competition in action when the Salford Red Devils go up against the Catalans Dragons.
It has not been a start to the season that either of these two sides will have wanted but they have the chance to launch something of a run of form here if they can find a win on the big stage. It is fair to say both need it.
Salford Red Devils
If the miserable beginning to the season wasn’t bad enough losing in the Challenge Cup last week really compounded the situation. It wasn’t just the defeat that was a concern but the way in which they lost the match where there was little fight. It was worrying and a stark contrast to the Salford we were watching around this time last year.
As with most sides who are down the bottom end of the table at this stage of the season keeping opposing teams away from their own try line has been the problem for the Red Devils this term. That said they have shown on a couple of occasions that they have the makings of a competent side. They just haven’t shown it enough.
Catalans Dragons
A poor record on the road is nothing new for the Catalans Dragons but this season their home form hasn’t been up to much either and as a result they already look certainties to have to win their Super League status back in the qualifiers once again. I guess that is always going to be the case until they rectify this travel issue that clearly exists.
On the flip side if they do need to go down that route again then they showed when thrashing Whitehaven in the cup last week and York in the round before that they remain above a certain level in the game. They may well have wanted those wins to generate confidence, positivity and a platform to build on but time will tell if that proves to be the case.
Team News
The big news for the Salford Red Devils is their talisman Robert Lui is back from injury for this match. He has missed the last month so his return will be welcome and potentially invaluable to their chances.
Steve McNamara chose to rest a number of his star players in the cup last weekend but they will all return here so Remi Casty, David Mead and Greg Bird are among the players who are back in the squad.
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Betting
You have to put a fair bit of blind faith in whichever one of these sides you back but I’ll take a chance on the Salford Red Devils with Robert Lui back. They have always been a better side with him in their ranks so they deserve to be respected with him back in action.
It is hard to support the Catalans Dragons with their poor record both on the road and at this Magic Weekend. I dare say we’re not going to get a classic here although given the position of both in the table it should at least be competitive. However it plays out, Lui may well be the difference so I’ll take Salford here.
Tips
Back Salford Red Devils to beat Catalans Dragons for a 3/10 stake at 2.00 with Betfair
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