The race for a spot in the Betfred Super League play-offs has reached a critical juncture.
There are just three weeks until the finals begin and both Salford Red Devils and Warrington Wolves will want to still be in with a shout of making it to Old Trafford.
A Grand Final appearance looked a formality for Warrington in the opening months of the season as they swept all before them, but a damaging mid-season blip has left them occupying the sixth and final play-off berth.
Seventh-placed Salford, meanwhile, are on the outside looking in but will move level on points with the Wolves with victory at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Sunday, Sept 10th. 12.45pm.
Editor’s note; having seen as a kid the great Dai Watkins play under both codes, I’d like to offer my heartfelt respects given the news of his passing earlier this month, aged 81. Over 400 games for Salford, an international icon, a Union and League great. A pathfinder.
RIP the brilliant David Watkins, MBE. (AF)
Team news
Salford skipper Kallum Watkins and forward Oliver Partington will both miss the visit of the Wolves after receiving one-match bans. However, prop King Vuniayayawa is available after successfully appealing his own suspension.
Matty Russell comes into Warrington’s squad in place of Luke Thomas in the only change from the Wolves’ handsome win over Castleford last weekend
Warrington @ 8/13
Having started the season in blistering fashion with nine-straight wins, Warrington won only three out of their next 14 Super League matches.
At that stage even making the play-offs seemed forlorn but they appear to have righted the ship in the last couple of matches, beating Hull FC and Castleford, and can virtually confirm a top-six finish with a win at Salford.
The Wolves have played with much more freedom over the last month, releasing the shackles that Daryl Powell’s highly structured style placed on them.
Salford’s three wins since June 9th have come against three of Super League’s bottom four – Huddersfield, Castleford and Wakefield – and they could be up against it at the AJ Bell Stadium.
The Red Devils have also lost five of their last six meetings with Warrington, which includes a 36-20 reverse at the Halliwell Jones earlier this season.
Matty Ashton first tryscorer @ 6/1
Warrington’s mid-season travails were surprising given the confidence that their opening nine-game winning streak would have given them and the talent within their ranks.
The Wire have pace in abundance in their backline with wingers Josh Thewlis and Matty Ashton complemented by electric full-back Matt Dufty.
Dufty and Ashton, in particular, have looked back to their elusive best in recent weeks, both scoring in each of Warrington’s last three matches.
It’s Ashton who leads the way in the try scoring stakes for the Wire this term and the former Swinton product could be the man to get the scoreboard ticking at the AJ Bell Stadium on Sunday.
The winger has scored 48 tries in 68 appearances for the Wolves and is enjoying his best season to date with the Halliwell Jones club, dotting down 18 times in Super League this term and eight times in his last seven games.
