Salford v Huddersfield predictions : Sun Aug 04, 2013 10:32 am
Salford Reds are 25/1 underdogs for this game with some bookies whilst Huddersfield Giants are 1/250 on with Sky Bet and are expected to win by 36 points and need the win with the title in sight.Aside from the fact that one of the top two is playing one of the bottom two, Salford have all their Props missing after their brawl with dirty Catalans last week. This puts paid to their remote chances. What is worse for Salford is that the transfer deadline has been and gone, giving them no choice but to recall players on dual contracts or from their second division academy side.
Hudds have a full side though have chosen to put in a couple of Academy forwards in the squad, probably giving one a run out today you'd think. Leroy Cudjoe returning for Luke George strengthens this team as this player can provide tries rather than being a winger playing in the centres.
Salford are likely to put out this as the starting 13:
Gaskell (FB), Gibson (WG), McGoldrick (CE), J Davies (CE), Williams (WG), Sneyd (SO), Fages (SH), A Walne (PR), Godwin (HK), A Davidson (PR), Neal (SR), Dixon (SR), Wild (LF)
Subs from: Foran, Evalds, G Owen, Hope, Walne & Brotherton
They are without (2) Jodie Broughton, (4) Martin Gleeson, (8) Lee Jewitt, (9) Stuart Howarth, (10) Shannan McPherson, (11) Matty Ashurst, (15) Chris Nero, (17) Ben Gledhill, (18) Ryan Boyle, (19) Jordan James, (24) Gareth Owen, (27) Darrell Griffin plus have released their fullback, Mauro and Foran, however they are that desperate Foran has agreed to return for one game.
I have three selections for this game:
Over 22.5 - Huddersfield Giants v Salford City Reds Singles - Home team 1st Half - Total Points 11/10
Huddersfield Giants -18.0 first half 6/5
Huddersfield Giants v Salford City Reds - Under 12.5 - Away team points (full game) 10/11
Huddersfield have scored 52, 52 and 36 against Salford at their own ground in the past three games plus 34 at the Magic weekend and I am expecting a score of 45-50 minimum today.
The only feeling of slight nervousness towards covering the big total across the game is the Giant's poor attitude last week with the game in the bag and respect for this fixture in that Salford and Hudds have shared 5 wins each in the past 10 and Noble may be able to instill something more into his men at half time, with Giants taking their foot off the gas.
But I just can't see how Salford can hold back Crabtree and Kopczak with the academy side forwards especially in minutes 20-40 with the game in the balance. They are sure to score two or three times in this period.
Salford tend to score 10 or less against the better teams including Wigan and Warrington but have failed to get double digits v the likes of Catalans, London, Bradford and St Helens. I don't see them getting three tries today with such limited go forward.
We need two from three to make some cash, although out bets are correlated.
