Salford Red Devils vs Castleford Tigers Predictions: 9/2 for Salford to reverse recent form

Salford Red Devils bid to snap out of a two-match losing run back on home soil at the Salford Community Stadium on Saturday as they welcome a Castleford Tigers side finding some form off the back of three successive wins (kick-off 15:00 BST, Sky Sports Action).

Craig Lingard’s side have beaten St Helens, London Broncos and Catalans Dragons this month and could complete a perfect July with victory against a team whose position in the top six could start to look vulnerable. My Salford Red Devils vs Castleford Tigers predictions will be looking beyond short-term form.

Salford Red Devils vs Castleford Tigers Odds

Paul Rowley's men are big favourites for the win here despite their recent setbacks. The Red Devils are 2/5 to get back on the horse and keep those teams chasing play-off football at arm's length, with those odds implying a 71.4% chance of victory. Cas are 21/10 to follow their great form with another two points, while 18/1 is the price on offer for a draw in 80 minutes.

Team News

Salford bid to bounce back from two poor performances and are boosted by the return to the squad of Samoa centre Tim Lafai. He has been out for a month since tweaking his hamstring in the build-up to kick-off against St Helens in June.

New signing from Catalans Jayden Nikorima comes straight into contention, while youngster Loghan Lewis also returns to the squad after concussion protocols. Half-back Cade Cust was recalled to the side beaten by Huddersfield Giants last week and keeps his place in the squad.

Rugby League Odds

Castleford make two changes to the squad which overcame the Dragons in a thriller last weekend. Forwards Samy Kibula and Liam Watts – who picked up a knock last week – drop out of the squad, with Fletcher Rooney and Nixon Putt coming in.

Salford by 6-10 points @ 9/2

A glance at the betting suggests a routine home win for Paul Rowley’s side, but a glance at the form book suggests the opposite. Salford were well beaten in the south of France a fortnight ago and came up short again last week against a Huddersfield side without a head coach.

Compare that to the rise of lowly Castleford, who have been slowly but surely putting things together. That headline win at St Helens laid the platform for the victories over London and Catalans, but the signs of recovery were there even before that, with a narrow 13-12 defeat to Hull KR and 10-8 reverse to Wigan Warriors – both at the Jungle – in June.

Craig Lingard has finally got this team to gel, so can they put it together again to topple Salford and continue their ascent to the safety of mid-table?

It will be a tough ask, Salford may blow hot and cold on their travels but at home they are a pretty formidable beast and have lost just twice this year. This to me looks like a game that Marc Sneyd will take by the scruff of the neck, seeing Salford overcome an enthusiastic Tigers effort to edge home to victory.

There is pressure on Salford now too. Those back-to-back away losses have seen the Red Devils looking over their shoulders in sixth, with both Leeds Rhinos and even Leigh Leopards capable of catching them if this becomes an extended wobble.

I’m sticking with Salford to get back to winning ways here, but it could be a fight.

Chris Hankinson anytime tryscorer @ 6/4

Chris Hankinson has been one of my players of the season for Salford since his close-season move from Featherstone Rovers in the Betfred Championship.

He has excelled at wing, centre and full-back and looks in the shape of his life. Where he is used this week may depend on the fitness of Tim Lafai. If Lafai is fit then Rowley has a selection dilemma, with Ryan Brierley back at full-back and Ethan Ryan along with Deon Cross his favoured wingers.

But for me if Hankinson starts this weekend, he scores, and at 6/4 that is enough to tempt me.

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