Salford Red Devils travel to Huddersfield today with the aim of getting back to winning ways and here is everything you need to know ahead of the tie.
Last Time Out
Salford fell to defeat against Warrington in their last outing however the scoreline flattered the Wolves. A slow start saw Steve Price’s men take control with tries from Toby King and Josh Charnley. The Red Devils did cross through Rob Lui but in the end left themselves with too much to do.
It was a similar story for Huddersfield who conceded five tries in the first half last weekend against Castleford. The Giants began a fightback through tries from Daniel Smith and an Innes Senior double but in the end, Castleford were just too strong.
Form
Salford head into the today’s game with two wins from their last five outings. Two impressive home victories against Hull FC and Catalans were either side of a disappointing loss against Widnes which saw the Vikings score two late tries.
Defeat to Leeds on Easter Monday was followed by a spirited performance against Warrington which saw the visitors runaway with a scoreline which didn’t reflect the game on the field. The Red Devils will be looking to get back to winning ways against a side they overcame at the John Smith’s Stadium last season.
Huddersfield head into this afternoon’s game without a win in any of their last five Betfred Super League outings. The Giants’ last victory came on Friday 9th March in a 16-28 win over Widnes Vikings.
Since then the Giants suffered heavy defeats to Hull Kingston Rovers, Wigan Warriors and Catalans Dragons. A solitary point is all Huddersfield have earned from this run of fixtures thanks to a 22-22 draw with Leeds Rhinos on Good Friday. Huddersfield improved last week against Castleford but still couldn’t get back to winning ways.
Previous Meetings
Salford have an impressive record against Huddersfield in recent years winning five of the last six meetings between the sides and four consecutive fixtures against the Giants.
The most recent meeting saw the Red Devils hammer the Giants 52-14 in last year’s Super 8s which followed a 36-20 win at the The Salford Stadium and a 30-20 victory at Huddersfield in the 2017 Betfred Super League.
The Red Devils have also enjoyed playing at the John Smith’s Stadium over the years winning on each of their last four visits. However, these have always been close affairs with their last three victories at Huddersfield all coming by ten points or less. Huddersfield’s last win over Salford came in 2016 thanks to a Danny Brough drop-goal at the The Salford Stadium
Head-to-Head
There is only one head-to-head to look at ahead of today’s game against Huddersfield and that is the one between both playmakers Rob Lui and Danny Brough.
Lui had to move to full-back last weekend due to Niall Evalds being sidelined but expect the Australian half to move back into his more natural role and look to unlock the Giants defence.
Huddersfield’s key man is Brough who has been central to any success at the John Smith’s Stadium over the last few years. Brough’s kicking game is always a threat whether it be from inside his own half or on the opposition line.
Squads
Huddersfield: Turner, Murphy, Gaskell, Brough, Ikahihifo, Leeming, Wakeman, Hinchcliffe, Rankin, Roberts, Ta’ai, Clough, Smith, Walne, Mellor, McIntosh, English, Simpson, Senior.
Salford: Johnson, Welham, Sa’u, Evalds, Lui, Littlejohn, Kopczak, Tomkins, Griffin, Jones, Hauraki, Flanagan, Tasi, Lannon, Nakubuwai, Wood, Olpherts, Mossop, Bibby.
