2021 Super League – St. Helens vs Salford Red Devils Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is St. Helens vs Salford Red Devils taking place? Friday 26th March, 2021 – 18:00 (UK)
Where is St. Helens vs Salford Red Devils taking place? Emerald Headingley Stadium
Where can I get tickets for St. Helens vs Salford Red Devils? Click here for the official Super League ticket section
What channel is St. Helens vs Salford Red Devils on? Sky Sports Arena
Where can I stream St. Helens vs Salford Red Devils? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via the Sky Go app
THE TEAM NEWS
ST. HELENS
- St. Helens were dramatic victors in last year’s Super League Grand Final as Jack Welsby’s last-gasp try handed his side the win over fierce local rivals Wigan Warriors in one of the most dramatic finishes of all time.
- Saints have bolstered an already strong squad with the acquisitions of Joel Thompson, Agnatius Paasi and Sione Mata’utia from the NRL while veteran forwards James Graham, Zeba Taia and Dom Peyroux all departing during the off-season.
21-man squad: Amor, Batchelor, Bentley, Coote, Dodd, Fages, Grace, Lees, Lomax, Makinson, Mata’utia, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Naiqama, Paasi, Pervical, Roby, Simm, Smith, Thompson, Walmsley, Welsby
Unavailable: Morgan Knowles
Questionable:
SALFORD RED DEVILS
- Salford Red Devils will have to deal with the loss of head coach Ian Watson as they attempt to build on making two major finals in the last two years with former St. Helens assistant coach Richard Marshall handed that task.
- The Red Devils were underwhelming during the last league campaign but did make the Challenge Cup final, only to fall narrowly short of victory in a tense affair with Leeds Rhinos at Wembley.
21-man squad: Addy, Brown, Costello, Escare, Ikahihifo, Inu, Johnson, Kear, Lannon, Livett, Lolohea, Mossop, Ormondroyd, Patton, Pauli, Sarginson, Sio, Taylor, Watkins, Wells, Williams
Unavailable: Joe Burgess, Andy Ackers, Oliver Roberts, Greg Burke, Chris Atkin, James Greenwood, Darcy Lussick
Questionable:
THE PREDICTION
St. Helens appear to be the team to beat once again as they look to record a third consecutive Super League title. Saints were able to defend their title last time around with a dramatic success against Wigan Warriors in the Grand Final and their squad looks to be up there once again with a third straight success on the cards. Salford Red Devils stand in their way in this opening clash in what will be a new era following Ian Watson’s departure as head coach. Richard Marshall faces the toughest of examinations in his first game in charge but Saints look a class above the Salford squad and the champions can cover the -9.5 handicap in this contest to make it nine wins in ten against the Red Devils.
