SL Preview: Salford v Hull KR

Salford welcome Hull KR to the City of Salford Stadium, hoping to end a ten-game losing streak.

Hull KR only ended a losing streak of their own with a home win over Widnes Vikings last week, and are desperate to find some consistency themselves.

The Reds are despreately trying to hang on until the new owner Dr Marwan Koukash’s cash can begin to tell. That makes Phil Veivers’ current task an unenviable one, but he’s used to that.

The Robins’ attack is as good as anything in Super League when it comes to creating scoring chances, but their defence has been extremely frail for a while now. The onus, as usual, will fall on halfback Michael Dobson to mastermind the attack, but expect Craig Hall to weigh in from stand-off too, while Greg Eden, David Hodgson and Omari Caro provide some electricity out wide.

The Reds’ somewhat threadbare squad has been boosted by the loan signing this week of Leeds Rhinos‘ prop Darrell Griffin, who has joined for a month. He will test a Rovers forward pack which has looked a little vulnerable so far this season.

Rovers welcome back Lincoln Withers following his head gash against Wakefield wildcats, while young three-quarter Liam Salter is also back in the 19.

Salford 19-man squad: Murphy, Broughton, Nero, Jewitt, D Williams, McGoldrick, Sneyd, McPherson, Gibson, James, Dixon, Godwin, Ashurst, Griffin, Boyle, R Williams, Wild, Howarth, Gleeson.

Hull KR 19-man squad: Salter, Caro, Ferguson, Horne, Walker, Paterson, Mika, Tuimavave, Welham, Green, Hodgson, Paea, Carlile, Hall, Dobson, Hodgson, Eden, Lovegrove, Withers.

Prediction: Salford lack depth at the moment, despite the recent influx of cash. Rovers need to show that they can win away, and will do so, but it will be very close and is likely to be a see-saw contest.

Stats:

Salford are on a streak of ten consecutive Super League losses, with their last win coming at Hull KR on 8 July, 2012.

Last 10 meetings:

Hull KR 22, Salford 24 (SLR20, 8/7/12)
Salford 10, Hull KR 18 (SLR11, 9/4/12)
Hull KR 21, Salford 8 (SLR22, 17/7/11)
Salford 0, Hull KR 25 (CCR5, 20/5/11)
Salford 34, Hull KR 18 (SLR6, 18/3/11)
Salford 18, Hull KR 44 (SLR25, 15/8/10)
Hull KR 30, Salford 12 (SLR1, 7/2/10)
Salford 10, Hull KR 14 (SLR25, 21/8/09)
Hull KR 48, Salford 12 (SLR7, 29/3/09)
Salford 24, Hull KR 30 (SLR22, 3/8/07)

Super League summary:

Salford won 3
Hull KR won 7
Salford highest score. 34-18 (H, 2011) (also widest margin)
Hull KR highest score. 48-12 (H, 2009) (also widest margin)