SL Preview: Salford v Widnes
Salford will be looking to get back into the winning habit when they welcome Widnes to the AJ Bell on Thursday evening.
They will have to do so without French half-back Theo Fages, however, who is beginning a two-game ban for foul play.
Star Kiwi full-back Kevin Locke is back in contention, though, and Liam Hood, Cory Paterson and Mason Caton-Brown also make a return to Iestyn Harris‘s squad.
For Widnes, Danny Galea and Patrick Ah Van are both absent due to concussion injuries. The Vikings will also have to make do without goal-kicking back rower Danny Tickle, who has a groin injury.
Danny Craven, Chris Dean and Eamon O’Carroll do return for the Vikings, however, after spells on the sideline due to injury.
Prediction: Salford will want a strong home performance, as much to entice some more fans through the gate for next time, as much as anything, but Widnes have looked good in patches this season. It looks like more disappointment for Dr Koukash, with the Vikings winning by 10 points.
Salford Red Devils (19-man squad): Caton-Brown, Chase, Dobson, Evalds, Forster, D Griffin, J Griffin, Hansen, Hauraki, Hood, Johnson, Jones-Bishop, Lee, Locke, Morley, Paterson, Sa’u, Tasi, Taylor.
Widnes Vikings (19-man squad): Clarkson, Craven, Dean, Dudson, Flynn, Gerrard, Gore, Hanbury, Heremaia, Hulme, Joseph, Kavanagh, Leuluai, Manuokafoa, Marsh, Mellor, O’Carroll, Owens, Phelps.
Stats:
Salford’s Junior Sa’u has scored tries in the Red Devils’ last three meetings with Widnes (1-1-2).
Super League Summary:
Salford won 9
Widnes won 7
Salford highest score: 38-18 (A, 2012) (Widest margin: 36-6, H, 2014)
Widnes highest score: 58-24 (H, 2013) (Widest margin: 46-8, A, 2012)
Last 10 Meetings:
Salford 36, Widnes 6 (SLR27, 12/9/14)
Salford 24, Widnes 30 (SLR13, 17/5/14)(at Etihad Stadium, Manchester)
Salford 20, Widnes 30 (CCR5, 27/4/14)
Widnes 32, Salford 18 (SLR4, 6/3/14)
Salford 4, Widnes 24 (SLR27, 6/9/13)
Salford 28, Widnes 22 (SLR16, 26/5/13) (at Etihad Stadium, Manchester)
Widnes 58, Salford 24 (SLR11, 7/4/13)
Salford 8, Widnes 46 (SLR21, 20/7/12)
Widnes 18, Salford 38 (SLR3, 19/2/12)
Widnes 20, Salford 18 (NL1R10, 19/6/08)