Honours were even last season, with both clubs winning at home.
Salford though will be buoyed by the tight win over Wakefield and the manner in which they managed to hold off a late fight-back.
Salford will have their usual hardcore away support travelling along the M62 on Friday to cheer the boys on, but Koukash’s worries about the lack of home support continue, with crowds dropping away since the visit of St Helens last month.
Just 2712 turned up to the Mother’s Day win over Wakefield – leaving the club around £20,000 out of pocket.
The costs are due to the deal Koukash struck with AJ Bell stadium joint owners Peel Holdings and Salford City Council – and they’re still rising.
It means Salford need more and more home fans simply to break even.
“It was either that or no club,” he told the BBC.
“It is in the top three most expensive stadiums in Super League. Next year it will be the most expensive and the year after it will be 40% more expensive than any other.”
In a bid to stop the drain on home support, Dr Koukash tweeted that the club have asked the RFL to move the kick-off time of their home game against Leeds Rhinos on 12 April to avoid clashing with the 4pm start of the Manchester United-Manchester City derby.
Supporters would then be able to watch the game in the Fans’ Bar post-match.
The club is running a coach service on Friday for fans who want to travel. The supporter’s bus will be running to Castleford and tickets can be purchased by calling 0161 8202610.
Pick-up times are as follows: Chandos Social Club, Weaste 4.50pm; Hope Pub, Eccles Old Road 4.55pm; Eccles Town Hall, Church Street 5.05pm; AJ Bell Stadium 5.15pm.
Image via Castleford Tigers Facebook
