2018 Super League – Widnes Vikings vs Salford Red Devils Preview

AT A GLANCE

When? Thursday 22^nd March, 19:45

Where? The Select Security Stadium

What channel is it on? Sky Sports Arena

Where can I stream the match? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via Sky Go

Are tickets still available? https://ticketing.shopvikings....

THE STATISTICS

THE LOWDOWN

WIDNES VIKINGS

Head Coach: Denis Betts

Squad: Burke, Chamberlain, T. Chapelhow, Craven, Dean, Hanbury, Heremaia, Houston, Ince, Inu, Johnstone, Leuluai, Marsh, Mellor, Olbison, Runciman, B. Walker, Whitley, Wilde

Unavailable: Patrick Ah Van, Lloyd White, Stanton Albert, Jay Chapelhow, Alex Gerrard, Danny Walker, Wellington Albert, Hep Cahill, Tom Gilmore

• Widnes return to action this week following last week’s abandoned game with Wakefield. Having managed to get the game on, the weather worsened soon after kick-off and the game became unplayable with the play called off after 27 minutes.
• Denis Betts has named an unchanged squad with the likes of Hep Cahill, Lloyd White and Tom Gilmore still missing for the Vikings.
• After a disappointing loss on home soil last time out, Widnes will be looking to right the wrongs of that game against Huddersfield and get back to winning ways here to improve their 50% win ratio at the Select Security Stadium.

SALFORD RED DEVILS

Head Coach: Ian Watson

Squad: Bibby, Evalds, Flanagan, Hauraki, Johnson, Jones, Kopczak, Lannon, Littlejohn, Lui, McCarthy, Mossop, Olpherts, Nakubuwai, Sa’u, Tasi, Tomkins, Welham, Wood

Unavailable: Manu Vatuvei, George Griffin, Luke Burgess

• Salford won just their third game in 17 matches in all competitions with an impressive win over Hull FC last week. The Red Devils were solid throughout and won the game 24-8.
• Ian Watson has made just one change to his 19-man squad with Luke Burgess dropping out and Ryan Lannon replacing him. Lannon could make his first appearance of the season if selected.
• Salford have lost their last nine Super League away games and will be looking to buck that trend after last week’s confidence-boosting home win.

THE PREDICTION

Widnes play host to Salford with the home side hoping to complete this game having had their game abandoned due to the weather last week. In playing conditions that have gone viral, Widnes’ game with Wakefield only lasted 27 minutes before the game was called off for the safety of the players. Salford enjoyed a better weekend with a comfortable win over Hull but now have to back that up away from home as they seek their first win in 10 on the road. This could go either way but Widnes might just edge it due to Salford’s away form.