St Helens vs Salford Red Devils Prediction: Saints to march on in play-offs push

Following a win over the in-form Leeds Rhinos, St Helens host Betfred Super League's bottom club Salford Red Devils at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Sunday (15:00, live on Sky Sports +).

Saints legend Paul Sculthorpe discusses his beloved club's recent victory before sharing his St Helens vs Salford Red Devils predictions.

I’ve never been so pleased to be wrong.

Like many, I thought Leeds would come to the Totally Wicked Stadium last Friday full of confidence after winning their previous five games and sitting pretty in third on the Betfred Super League table and claim another two points. Saints had other ideas, though.

Head coach Paul Wellens spoke of his delight in not only the 18-4 but the nature of the performance too. It was a huge effort coming off a Sunday turnaround against Salford on what was a very warm night.

I caught up with Wello over the weekend, seeing one of our old teammates Julian O’Neil who was over from New Zealand, and you could see how proud he was of his players.

There's been a lot of talk about Saints failing to beat any of the top clubs in a good while - well, that monkey is now off their back and confidence to end the season strongly is high.

St Helens vs Salford Red Devils Odds

It was a dominant display from the home side. Maybe not quite as creative and entertaining as the fans would like, but they were definitely more clinical.

The sheer determination to stop the Rhinos from scoring stood out to me. Harry Robertson's effort to deny Super League's all-time tryscorer Ryan Hall in the corner following an interception in his own half about summed it up.

Robertson, who has all the traits of a genuine world-class player, ran from the other corner of the field to cut down Hall inches away from the Saints try line - and he's a big old boy to turn over!

Another young starlet taking his chance at the moment is Owen Dagnall. The young winger had a number of great involvements during the game, including a weaving 30m clearing run to give Saints attacking field position, before finishing the play on the opposite wing to put Saints two scores clear after 63 minutes.

Tristan Sailor, who probably had his best game of the season, finished off the Rhinos with 10 seconds left to play. He enjoyed some silky touches throughout the game and played a hand in all of the tries. He’s definitely a better and more threatening player when he’s in the mood to run with the ball. Long may it continue…

Wello will be asking for more of the same this weekend as his side look to consolidate their place in the playoffs.

Saints ought to gain another two league points against the basement boys Salford, who remain in dire straits on and off the pitch, at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

The Red Devils are so far away from where they need to be at the moment and I can't see anything but a convincing home win.

I'm going for Saints to win by 50 points or more, given Betfred have Price Boosted that to EVS.

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