Salford Red Devils vs Leigh Leopards Predictions: 9/1 tip for tense play-off shootout

A mouth-watering local rivalry will be renewed in front of a record crowd at the Salford Community Stadium as the Salford Red Devils host the Leigh Leopards for a place in the Betfred Super League play-off semi-finals (kick-of 20:00, live on Sky Sports+ and Sky Sports Main Event).

Paul Rowley's side have a formidable home record but Leigh have been in fine form, entering the play-offs with six wins from their last seven games, making Salford Red Devils vs Leigh Leopards predictions an interesting task. 

Salford Red Devils vs Leigh Leopards Odds

There is not an awful lot separating these two sides in the betting markets, with the match winner (in 80 minutes) stakes extremely tight. Salford are 21/10 to progress to the last four next week, implying a 48/8% probability of a home win, while Leigh are the slight favourites off the back of their great recent run.

The Leopards are 5/6 to better their league return last season by reaching the semis, and the draw in 80 minutes is available at 16/1.

Team News

Salford made headlines last week when they travelled to play the reigning-champion Wigan Warriors with their reserve team, leaving an entire starting side at home. It did not do them any harm either, losing the game of course but securing a top-four finish thanks to St Helens' defeat at the Leopards.

So it is a well-rested, pretty much full-strength squad from which Rowley is able to select this week, with none of last week's party - which included eight Super League debutants - expected to play.

Forward Loghan Lewis is named after a slight groin issue, departing prop Adam Sidlow does retain his place in the 21-man squad but is not likely to play, and another veteran prop, Brad Singleton, is set to make his 300th career appearance.

Rugby League Odds

The versatile Chris Hankinson has been putting pressure on Ryan Brierley's full-back position but is most likely to be used off the bench again, where he can cover full-back, wing, centre or back row.

Leigh also name a stacked squad in what should be a mouth-watering game, and look set to be unchanged from last week's win over Saints. That would mean a front row of Tom Amone, Edwin Ipape and Robbie Mulhern, with Matt Moylan at full-back and Gareth O'Brien continuing in the halves alongside Lachlan Lam.

Handicap 3-way Leigh Leopards -2 @ 21/10

This could be one of the games of the season and is incredibly tough to call, which is reflected in the match betting. Leigh are slight favourites despite finishing a place behind Salford in the table and being away from home.

I think that's just about right and although Salford will be fresh and well-rested having played their reserves last week at Wigan, I'm a big believer in momentum at this point in the season.

Don't get me wrong, I can absolutely see Salford winning this game, and if Marc Sneyd produces the kind of performance that he has been doing regularly this year at the Salford Community Stadium, then the Red Devils will seal a memorable win in front of a potentially sell-out crowd.

But when I look at the two packs I just fear that Leigh could win the arm wrestle and get on top. Salford beat Leigh at home 32-22 in the regular season but that was way back in March before the Leopards had really hit their straps. The fixture at Leigh was won easily by Adrian Lam's men 40-12, and again 26-0 when the two teams met last month.

In a really tight, tense contest I just feel that Leigh have a stronger squad. It could turn into a great shootout in the outside backs, where we are blessed with quality in Salford's Tim Lafai and Nene Macdonald, and Leigh's Ricky Leutele and Umyla Hanley.

Sneyd holds the key for Salford. If Leigh can stifle the Red Devils scrum-half then I think they will win the game. If not then it's a Salford win.

Tim Lafai and Ricky Leutele to score a try anytime @ 9/1

Given the quality that we have mentioned in wide areas, I really like this bet on Friday night. There is loads to go at this week, including our Double Delight which doubles your first try scorer price if they go on to score again in the match.

But I'm looking for even better value and am going to go for Leutele and Lafai to both cross. Leutele scored last week for Leigh and has scored five tries in his last six games - including against Salford. Lafai has looked razor sharp since his return from injury for the Red Devils, scoring four tries in three games including a hat-trick at Hull FC.

This may be a game of few chances, but both of these players will be in the right areas to capitalise on whatever chances are created.

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