Salford Reds Devils vs Wigan Warriors Predictions: Fireworks expected

The champions head to Salford for a fierce local derby, and on a Bank Holiday weekend in which so many of Manchester’s sporting fans will be at Wembley, rugby league’s Red Devils look to land a blow of their own on the sport’s dominant force. (Kick-off 15:00)

The Warriors look almost unplayable at the moment, but Salford know how to put on a show in front of their passionate home crowd.

Team news

Wigan boss Matt Peet makes two changes to his squad for the short trip to the Salford Community Stadium. Young prop Sam Eseh, a close-season signing from Wakefield, is named in the squad for the first time in the absence of fellow forwards Sam Walters and Kaide Ellis through suspension. The 20-year-old Eseh has been recovering from injury and came through a loan match for Castleford against St Helens.

Young hooker Tom Forber is also back in the mix. Ireland international Liam Byrne serves the second match of his two-game ban, with props Mike Cooper and Harvie Hill expected to be the two promoted from the squad into the matchday 17 after missing out last week.

Salford boss Paul Rowley is set to shuffle his back, with forwards Gil Dudson, Shane Wright, Jack Ormonroyd and Joe Shorrocks all returning to contention after injuries. Playmaker Cade Cust misses out through injury however, as do Adam Sidlow, Ben Hellewell and Jack Ormonroyd.

Hooker Amir Bourouh left the club this week to join struggling Hull FC, but new signing Harvey Wilson comes straight into the squad following the youngster’s move from Wigan

Handicap 3-way Wigan Warriors -14 @ 13/10

Salford can be a tough nut to crack on home soil but Wigan are a tough nut to crack full stop. The Warriors’ engine is purring at the moment and they should have too much to quieten even the most boisterous home support.

Whisper it quietly around Salford but Wigan have actually won every single one of the last ten meetings between these two sides, four of them away from home. It is over five years since Salford beat Wigan and I haven’t seen anything from Wigan to suggest that they will let that impressive run slip here.

Liam Marshall anytime Tryscorer @ 4/6

The Betfred Super League’s top try scorer Liam Marshall dominates attention whenever he plays, but there is just as much attacking potency on the other Wigan wing in Abbas Miski. He has scored a try in each of Wigan’s last three victories over Salford, and if you fancy him to extend that run to four then he is available at 1/2.

I’m still liking the 4/6 about Marshall here though, especially given he came up dry last week in a seven-try Challenge Cup win over Hull KR.

Expect Marshall to come back firing this week in a Wigan away win.

Rugby League Betting Tips from Betfred Insights.