Leigh Leopards vs Salford Red Devils Predictions: Brierley fighting a losing cause?

Leigh Leopards host Salford Red Devils fresh from a remarkable draw with Castleford Tigers while the visitors have won back-to-back games since head coach Paul Rowley decided to commit to the club in the face of an offer from Hull FC.

This feels like one of the toughest games of the weekend to call, in a derby that both sides are desperate not to lose. Here are my Leigh Leopards vs Salford Red Devils predictions.

Team News

Salford are a little battered and bruised this week, with forward Joe Shorrocks and utility Joe Mellor – who has been playing hooker – both sidelined.

Three more key forwards miss out too, in Gil Dudson – who has only just returned from injury, Andrew Dixon and the influential Shane Wright.

Better news comes with the all-clear for hooker Amir Bourouh after an ankle injury and prop King Vuniyayawa after concussion.

Leigh have only named 20 players in their 21-man squad, with John Asiata not involved. The big forward has been announced as a new signing for Hull FC for next season.

Prop Robbie Mulhern, though, is back from injury and set to play while there could be a debut for winger Darnell McIntosh.

3-way Handicap Leigh Leopards -4 @ 10/11

This one feels incredibly difficult to call, with Leigh on a real upturn in form and Salford coming into it off the back of three successive wins. Indeed, the top of the table is ridiculous, with the weekend starting out as a six-way tie for the lead on 14 points.

Asiata’s absence gives Salford an immediate edge – it is no coincidence that the Leopards have started picking up points since he and hooker Edwin Ipape have returned. But Salford are looking light upfront with no Dudson, Wright or Dixon and for that reason alone I’m going for a coin flip in the home side’s favour.

Two of the last three meetings between the sides have been won by just two points – Salford winning by 10 in the earlier fixture this season. So this will be tight, but I’m sticking on a home win by the narrowest of margins.

Ryan Brierley anytime tryscorer @ 7/4

Ryan Brierley produced a man-of-the-match performance in Salford’s home win over Leigh earlier this season and the full-back is a good bet to shine once more against his former club.

Brierley scored two tries that day with his elusive support play and if the Red Devils cut loose again in this one then he looks excellent value to be in amongst it again. The 7/4 odds imply a 36.4% probability of him getting over the line.

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