The Lowdown
SALFORD RED DEVILS
- Salford's awful run continued as their once-promising season looks like it will end without a semi-final place as they were heavily defeated by Wakefield last weekend.
- The Red Devils have now lost 10 of their last 11 Super League games, a run that has seen them drop to seventh place in the table having ended the regular season in fourth.
- Ian Watson has made two changes to his 19-man squad with Ben Murdoch-Masila returning along with Niall Evalds. Todd Carney and George Griffin are the men who drop out.
Head Coach: Ian Watson
Squad: Jake Bibby, Kriss Brining, Niall Evalds, Weller Hauraki, Greg Johnson, Josh Jones, Craig Kopczak, Olsi Krasniqi, Ryan Lannon, Rob Lui, Tyrone McCarthy, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Gareth O'Brien, Junior Sa'u, Logan Tomkins, Manu Vatuvei, Adam Walne, Jordan Walne, Kris Welham
Unavailable: Lama Tasi (Knee), Mark Flanagan (Shoulder), Lee Mossop (Injured), Michael Dobson (Injured), George Griffin, Todd Carney, Josh Wood, Dan Murray
HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS
- Huddersfield's slim top four hopes were dashed last week as they fell to league leaders Castleford despite a spirited display which saw them go in ahead at half-time.
- Rick Stone makes just one change to his 19-man squad with captain Leroy Cudjoe dropping out after picking up a knock with Daniel Smith taking his place.
- The Giants have struggled on their travels which has ultimately put paid to their semi-final challenge having lost four of their last six games when on the road in Super League.
Head Coach: Rick Stone
Squad: Danny Brough, Paul Clough, Leroy Cudjoe, Dale Ferguson, Lee Gaskell, Ryan Hinchcliffe, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Michael Lawrence, Kruise Leeming, Jermaine McGillvary, Darnell McIntosh, Alex Mellor, Adam O'Brien, Jordan Rankin, Sam Rapira, Oliver Roberts, Ukuma Ta'ai, Jordan Turner, Shannon Wakeman
Unavailable: Tom Symonds (Knee), Jake Mamo (Foot), Aaron Murphy (Toe), Martyn Ridyard (Shoulder), Leroy Cudjoe (Injured), Nathan Mason, Gene Ormsby, Tyler Dickinson
Analysis - what to expect
The bottom two teams in the Super 8s face off with neither side likely to be able to force their way into the battle for the top four. Salford's season has fallen apart after they had looked like the team most likely to challenge Castleford for top spot for most of the season. The Giants started slowly but a mid-season improvement saw them rise up the table but left themselves too much to do to really challenge the top four. Salford have won six of the last eight Super League contests between the two but they have been playing like their season is already done and that should allow the Giants to capitalise.
