Salford Red Devils vs Catalans Dragons Predictions: Hosts to make playoffs push

Salford and Catalans lock horns in the most important game of their respective seasons at the Salford Community Stadium on Saturday evening (17:30), with victory or defeat potentially defining the difference between a top-four finish and missing out on the playoffs completely.

Our rugby league expert George Riley is on-hand with the latest match odds, team news and a couple of Salford Red Devils vs Catalans Dragons predictions.

Salford Red Devils vs Catalans Dragons Odds

The hosts are 1/2 favourites to earn two valuable points in their push to make the Betfred Super League playoffs. Catalans are available at 17/10, while it's 18/1 about the draw.

Team News

The headline is that Catalans legend Sam Tomkins could make his return to the squad following a hamstring injury. The former England captain came out of retirement earlier this season to try and resurrect a surprisingly disjointed Dragons season. His return to fitness will be a massive boost to their playoff hopes.

Also back in contention are Tariq Sims and Jarrod Wallace, with Chris Satae, Yacine Ben Abdeslem and Ben Lam the three to drop out.

Salford make one change to the squad beaten last week at Hull KR with powerful prop Loghan Lewis struggling with a groin injury. He drops out and is replaced by on-loan Gil Dudson.

Another prop - Jack Ormonroyd - made his return from a long-term injury unscathed last week and retains his place in the squad. Full-back Ryan Brierley missed the defeat at Craven Park through illness, with the versatile Chris Hankinson deputising. Both are named in this week's initial squad.

Salford Red Devils -6 @ 20/21

Catalans have won six of their last nine meetings against Salford and each of the last three. They enjoyed a big win against the Red Devils earlier this season in the south of France.

But while their form on the road has been inconsistent, Salford have proved pretty dependable on home soil and this feels like a match they will approach as a Cup final in front of their passionate home crowd.

Victory would keep alive realistic hopes of a top-four finish but defeat could mean missing out on the playoffs altogether given how tight the battle for places is right now. Games like this can hinge on who has the best game-manager, and in Marc Sneyd Salford have the best in the business.

The Red Devils will host their end of season awards straight after the game and the scrum-half must be in contention to land their Player of the Year honour. This feels like a game in which Sneyd will step up and dictate, and I see him manoeuvring Paul Rowley's side to a hard-fought win.

I think this could prove close but Salford can edge it by one or two scores.

Nene Macdonald - Anytime Try Scorer @ 5/4

The man for the big occasion, powerful right centre Nene Macdonald has the strength of a back-row forward and finishing prowess of a winger.

He has had the season of his life in Red Devils' colours since his acrimonious departure from Leeds and he will be at the forefront of Salford's attacking threat again here.

Anything above evens tempts me with Nene and 5/4 represents excellent value for him to prove the difference here.

Click the link for all the latest Rugby League Odds

Find more Rugby League Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights