Salford Red Devils vs Warrington Wolves Predictions: Rowley factor to produce shock win

The Salford Community Stadium hosts one of the games of the weekend as the exciting but erratic Salford Red Devils  - buoyed by the news that head coach Paul Rowley is staying put - welcome a Warrington Wolves side flying high under Sam Burgess and looking to strengthen their position in the top four (Saturday at 15:00 BST, live on Sky Sports Arena).

Both sides edged through tough contests last weekend, with Salford’s patchy away form continuing in a 12-4 win at struggling London Broncos and Warrington leaving it late to beat Leigh Leopards 16-14. Saturday afternoon’s clash therefore could be a cracker, making my Salford Red Devils vs Warrington Wolves predictions a tough task.

Team news

Salford have some key men back in their ranks after last week’s trip to the capital. Influential forward Sam Stone is back in the mix, while the versatile Ben Hellewell is also fit again after a calf injury. First-choice prop King Vuniyayawa is also available after it was ruled he would face no further action for last week’s red card.

Winger David Nofoaluma trained with the reserves last weekend after being left out but is back in the squad, while Chris Hankinson and Brad Singleton continue their recoveries from injury. Hooker Amir Bourouh was suspended last weekend and now misses out again through injury so Joe Mellor should continue at number nine.

Gil Dudson is on loan to Salford from Warrington but is permitted to play.

The Wolves have named Ben Currie in their squad after the forward missed the last two games, but there is no Zane Musgrove as he recovers from an ankle injury. Winger Matty Russell is also included in the Wire squad for the first time since Burgess took over. Conor Wrench injured his ankle against Leigh so he drops out, as does Tom Whitehead.

Handicap 2-way alternative 2 – Salford Red Devils -0.5 @ 9/5

Everyone I have spoken to this week is expecting a Warrington win, given the immediate impact being felt under Burgess and Salford’s recent indifferent form. But I just have a feeling. There will be a really good atmosphere inside the ground and the players will buzz off the vocal support of fans who feared their coach would be leaving for Hull FC this week.

And Salford are not a bad side. If Marc Sneyd is on it then they can dictate this game regardless of the opposition. That may feel like a big if, and Warrington could well steamroll the Red Devils in the same manner they have most of their opponents this year. But I just fancy that Salford will spark back into life at some point soon, and what better time than in front of their own fans in the week that Rowley kissed the metaphorical badge.

Salford won this fixture 24-20 last year, and if it comes down to Rowley v Burgess it could be a fascinating game to watch play out. I will stick with Salford to sneak a thriller.

George Williams anytime tryscorer @ 9/4

Warrington will score tries in this game, and although the likes of Matty Ashton and Matt Dufty are always the most likely, the value is elsewhere. England captain George Williams is the heartbeat of this team and when he is on song, so are the Wolves.

Williams has scored a try in each of the last three games between these sides, so that 9/4 on him to cross again over 80 minutes looks too tempting to refuse, with the price implying a 30.8% of the former Wigan Warriors and Canberra Raiders man scoring.

You can read all our latest Super League Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights Super League content hub.