SL Preview: Leeds v Salford

Salford’s difficult start to the season gets no easier as they travel to Headingley to face Leeds on Friday night.

The Rhinos will no doubt be smarting from last weekend’s surprise 14-12 defeat at Castleford, which followed what had been an impressive win over Hull the week before.

Brian McDermott’s players will all be aiming to impress ahead of next week’s World Club Challenge clash with Melbourne Storm, and it is perhaps with that game in mind that injured forwards Jamie Peacock, Brett Delaney and Ryan Bailey sit out.

Kylie Leuluai and Richard Moore, of recent dual-registration controversy infamy, return to the 19-man squad.

Salford, who have suffered heavy defeats to Wigan and Catalan so far, welcome back Stephen Wild and Ashley Gibson, while Marc Sneyd fills the void left by Theo Fages, who was injured in a tackle by Julian Bousquet last week which led to the French forward being handed a four match ban.

Leeds 19-man squad: Hardaker, Watkins, Moon, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, McShane, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sinfield, Ward, Kirke, Clarkson, Achurch, Griffin, Moore, Keinhorst, Hood.

Salford 19-man squad: Murphy, Broughton, Gibson, R Williams, McGoldrick, Sneyd, Jewitt, McPherson, Ashurst, Dixon, Wild, Howarth, Gledhill, Boyle, James, Neal, Owen, Evalds, Ford.

Prediction: Another tough week for Salford, but they’ll be a week closer to progress – home win.

Stats:

Leeds have won their last eight meetings (three at home) with Salford.

Salford’s last win was 30-20 at Headingley on 13 April, 2009. That win is the City Reds’ only victory over the Rhinos in the summer era.

Super League summary:

Leeds won 29
Salford won 1
Leeds highest score: 56-6 (H, 2001), 56-16 (A, 2012) (Widest margin: 56-6, H, 2001)
Salford highest score: 30-20 (A, 2009) (also widest margin)