2020 Coral Challenge Cup – Leeds Rhinos vs Salford Red Devils Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Leeds Rhinos vs Salford Red Devils taking place? Saturday 17th October, 2020 – 15:00 (UK)
Where is Leeds Rhinos vs Salford Red Devils taking place? Wembley Stadium, London
What is the expected weather for Leeds Rhinos vs Salford Red Devils? 12c, mostly cloudy
Where can I get tickets for Leeds Rhinos vs Salford Red Devils? This match will be played without spectators
What channel is Leeds Rhinos vs Salford Red Devils on? BBC One
Where can I stream Leeds Rhinos vs Salford Red Devils This match can be streamed live via BBC iPlayer
THE TEAM NEWS
LEEDS RHINOS
- Leeds Rhinos will enter their 26th Challenge Cup final hoping for a repeat of their previous appearance at Wembley when they ran out 50-0 winners against Hull KR in the widest margin of victory in the history of the competition.
- That win came back in 2015 with this being a somewhat barren spell for the Rhinos but they will be confident of making it three straight wins when making it to the final as they take on Salford Red Devils.
- Head coach Richard Agar heavily rotated for the midweek Super League loss to Warrington Wolves and whilst he handed some players the chance to impress including fullback Jack Walker, Richie Myler is expected to edge him out of the 17.
21-man squad: L. Briscoe, T. Briscoe, Cuthbertson, Donaldson, Dwyer, Gale, Handley, Holroyd, Hurrell, Leeming, Lui, Martin, Mellor, Myler, Oledzki, Prior, Seumanufagai, Smith, A. Sutcliffe, L. Sutcliffe, Walker
Unavailable: Dom Crosby, Stevie Ward, Harry Newman
Questionable:
SALFORD RED DEVILS
- On the back of reaching last year’s Super League Grand Final, Salford Red Devils will appear in their second major final in succession as they take on Leeds Rhinos in the Challenge Cup final after a fine run.
- They sealed their spot at Wembley with a win over Warrington Wolves in the semi-final and they come into their first Challenge Cup final since the 1969 season as they go in search of just their second success in the competition with their solitary win coming back in 1938.
- Salford have been handed a huge blow in the lead up to this game with Dan Sarginson ruled out after testing positive for COVID-19 along with Jack Ormondroyd but Lee Mossop and Mark Flanagan have been given the all-clear whilst Niall Evalds returns from injury.
21-man squad: Atkin, Brown, Burke, Dudson, Evalds, Flanagan, Greenwood, Ikahihifo, Inu, Kear, Lannon, Lolohea, Lussick, McCarthy, Mossop, Pauli, O. Roberts, Watkins, Welham, Williams, Yates
Unavailable: Ken Sio, Josh Johnson, Andy Ackers, Dan Sarginson, Jack Ormondroyd
Questionable:
THE PREDICTION
Leeds Rhinos are the second most successful side in the history of the Challenge Cup having lifted the trophy on 13 occasions and they will believe they can add to that as they take on Salford Red Devils. In vast contrast to the Rhinos, the Red Devils have only won the cup once but they will also fancy their chances here. They were unable to win the Super League Grand Final last year but have built on that by making their second major final in succession under Ian Watson’s guidance. They will learn lessons from that and whilst they are capable of coming out on top here, preference is just for Leeds with the Rhinos enjoying a more consistent season and having put 50 on the Red Devils back in their last clash in August, it is Leeds that should be able to prevail here.
