Catalans Dragons vs Salford Red Devils Prediction: Tough times for Salford

Crisis-hit Salford are incredibly 80 minutes away from a Betfred Challenge Cup semi-final, but their depleted squad faces that daunting trip to the Stade Gilbert Brutus to take on a Catalans Dragons side starting to find some form. (Kick-off 19:00)

With special measures still in place at Salford it is another cobbled together Red Devils squad which travels to face a Dragons team who had won three games in a row before last week's 14-13 defeat to St Helens. Below you can find my Catalans Dragons vs Salford Red Devils predictions.

Rugby League Odds

Team news

Catalans make just one change to their squad after last weekend's agonising home defeat against Saints.

Jordan Dezaria drops out of the 21-man squad and his place is taken by Tariq Sims.

Salford have named a 20-man squad this week - which is three players stronger than head coach Paul Rowley was able to name in defeat at Wigan last weekend.

The Red Devils remain under a strict £1.2million salary cap that prevents them from selecting some of their highest-paid stars.

Captain Kallum Watkins though is back this week, as is Chris Atkin. Back in the squad after injury are some other big-name players who can give Salford fans hope of a more positive result. Chris Hankinson, Deon Cross and Jayden Nikorima are all back in contention.

Catalans Dragons vs Salford Red Devils Odds

Handicap 2-way Catalans -17.5 @ 5/6

It is hard work writing Salford previews at the moment. The club is in disarray, players and staff are being paid late and every week Rowley has a fight just to put a team sheet together.

I backed them to get within a half century of Wigan last week and they just missed it. But looking at this week's Salford's squad I would expect them to fare better.

You just can't back Salford at the moment though. Not only because of the state of the squad, but because those players travelling to France are going through hell with this situation.

I hope the Red Devils produce something to cheer for their loyal fan base this week, but it won't be a win.

Tommy Makinson anytime tryscorer @ 4/5

Back from injury, back in the team but still not back in the tries. It seems a matter of time before former St Helens winger Tommy Makinson opens his account for the Dragons and this feels like another really good opportunity.

Makinson has spoken recently about how he is loving his new life in Perpignan, with his friendship with Sam Tomkins key to his move.

Tomkins' return to the Catalans side has coincided with three wins in four games and I'm confident he can get Makinson scoring too.

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