Salford Red Devils vs Castleford Tigers predictions: Tigers to bare their claws
- Castleford Tigers are on a three-game winning streak
- Salford Red Devils have scored just eight points in their last two games
- Recommended bet: Castleford Tigers to win
Castleford Tigers will look to continue their improving Super League form when they face a stuttering Salford Red Devils side at the Salford Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
After a challenging first half of the season, the Tigers are on the rise with wins over St Helens, London Broncos and Catalans Dragons in their last three games.
Meanwhile, Salford head into this weekend’s clash in contrasting form, losing their last two games against the Dragons and the Huddersfield Giants.
Castleford impressed in their last meeting with Salford to win at The Jungle back in April and will be hoping to repeat the feat when they head across the Pennines on Saturday.
Team news
Starting with the hosts Salford, Tim Lafai makes a welcome return from a hamstring injury to feature in Paul Rowley’s 21-man squad.
Sam Stone also returns from a slight back issue, while Logham Lewis has come through his recent concussion protocols to make the cut.
Saturday will also provide Salford fans with the first opportunity to see new signing Jayden Nikorima in action after his first full week of training with his new team.
As for Castleford, head coach Craig Lingard has made two changes to his 21-man squad from the one that bested the Catalans Dragons last time out.
Samy Kibula and Liam Watts have both dropped out of the squad, with the pair of Nixon Putt and Fletcher Rooney coming in.
The stats
Salford’s attack has stalled dramatically in recent weeks, with the Red Devils only scoring eight points in their last two games against the Dragons and the Giants.
With six Super League wins in total so far this season, Castleford have doubled their number of victories for the campaign in their last three outings.
Salford have won six of the last seven meetings between these two sides, but Castleford won the last encounter between the teams 36-24 in April.
Prediction
Wins over St Helens, London and Catalans have built up confidence in the Castleford camp, as the Tigers look to make it back-to-back wins over the Red Devils on Saturday.
A lack of cutting edge in attack for Salford of late is a concern and, while they do have a good record against Castleford, the Red Devils’ stagnating form means it’s hard to back them at short odds here.
The Tigers have scored 58 points in their last two outings and they might just have the firepower to edge this one at the Salford Community Stadium this weekend.
