Salford Red Devils will hope to make it four straight wins against the Widnes Vikings as the two teams meet at Halton Community stadium.
Head coach Ian Watson has highlighted the importance of finishing the season strongly to stand the best chance of avoiding the ‘r word’.
He said: “It’s vital that we finish off this league campaign well, we spoke at the beginning of the season about finishing it strongly, so then we can look forward to the middle 8s and get some planning done according to that which is going to be a strong middle 8s competition.
Watson is certainly not wrong about the strength of the middle 8s, as the Red Devils will most likely have Leeds Rhinos, Huddersfield Giants and Hull KR for company, all three have tested Salford this year.
Meanwhile, a win for Widnes will guarantee them a place in the Super 8s for the first time, they have pretty much secured that place anyway though barring a major points differance collapse and Hull KR winning their two remaining games.
Widnes’ chances are improved though by the inclusion of Justin Carney in the Salford 19 man squad, who returns from suspension.
The timing couldn’t be better as he has scored in his last three games against Widnes; two in Salford colors and another whilst playing for Castleford.
The Vikings also have hooker Aaron Heremaia back from concussion, but prop Gil Dudson misses out through a leg injury as does Chris Bridge who has damaged his achilles.
Widnes are also set to debut new centre Greg Burke, who signed from Wigan this week, the centre will be looking forward to a more consistent spell at The Vikings after spending the past two years out on loan.
Prop Olsi Krazniqi has also replaced Adam Walne in the Red Devils 19 man squad.
Widnes (from): Ah Van, Brown, Burke, Buchanan, Cahill, J Chapelhow, Dean, Farrell, Hanbury, Heremaia Houston, Leuluai, Manuokafoa, Marsh, Mellor, Runciman, Thompson, White, Whitley.
Salford (from): Evalds, Carney, Griffin, Sa’u, Lui, Dobson, Kopczak, Griffin, Murdoch-Masila, Hauraki, Flanagan, O’Brien, Krasniqi, Johnson, Tomkins, J Walne, Caton-Brown, Jones, Kenny.
Main image: Salford Red Devils/Youtube
