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Leeds Rhinos vs Salford Red Devils: Team news, match preview and score prediction

This is possibly the game of the round. Two of the league’s in form teams in the shape of Leeds whose last two games have seen them beat second place Wigan 42-12 and third place Catalans with an amazing comeback with 12 men take on the sixth place Red Devils.

Salford last week inflicted St Helens’ worst defeat since 2016 as they defeated them 44-12 with some mesmeric tries. They also recently beat the Catalans Dragons as both they and the Rhinos begin their push for Super League rugby.

Who will claim this all important two points in the hunt for play-off rugby?

Team News

The Rhinos may have lost Matt Prior to a ban but have two forwards back in Zane Tetevano and Sam Walters from injury. Blake Austin is still unavailable. David Fusitu’a should also return to the 17 after missing last week.

Shane Wright, Harvey Livett and Tyler Dupree are all back this week for Salford reinforcing their middles though former Rhino Kallum Watkins will remain in the second-row given his brilliant form. Ryan Brierley is also back after his head knock.

Match Preview- Key Battles:

Ash Handley vs Ken Sio: These two might be the most underrated wingers in Super League. Both score tries at will but also have the other sides of their game down to a tee such as metre making. It will be a terrific clash and surely one of them will get on the scoresheet.

Richie Myler vs Brodie Croft: A hat-trick hero last time out, Richie Myler will be looking for more tries against his former club though he will come up against the league’s leading stand-off at present in the magnificent and elusive Brodie Croft. The pair are in great form and will produce an attacking master class.

James Bentley vs Kallum Watkins: Kallum Watkins returns to his old stomping ground having turned into one of the league’s in form backrowers still capable of scoring tries at will as he did in his Headingley days. A magnificent athlete, it’ll be Leeds job to shut him down though he’ll be up against the tackling machine James Bentley who has recently unearthed a supreme attacking threat on the Rhinos’ right.

Where the game will be won and lost:

Salford played Leeds in Rohan Smith’s first game in charge but the Rhinos have come a long way since then. They, like Salford, have become one of the most expressive sides in Super League meaning this game could become all about which team takes their chances.

Score Prediction: Leeds Rhinos 20-22 Salford Red Devils

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