Rugby League - KR could conquer tame Red Devils

RUGBY LEAGUE fanatic Andrew Day (@AndyDay81) has earmarked an angles of attack for Friday night's Super League clash between Salford and Hull KR.

Salford Red Devils v Hull KR | Friday 23rd February, 19:30

Salford Red Devils return to action after a week off against Super League new boys Hull KR and will be looking to pick up their first points of the season.

An opening day defeat to Wigan was followed up by a much-improved performance against Wakefield Trinity – losing by only two points and full-back Gareth O'Brien missing a conversion in the last minute.

Hull KR, on the other hand, got their first points on the board with an impressive 23-4 win over Catalan Dragons last week, and whilst the lack of a week off could hand the advantage to the Red Devils, KR will look at the increased confidence a win brings.

These sides met only once last season in the Challenge Cup, with the Red Devils running out winners 24-14 courtesy of a late Ben Murdoch-Masila try. With the lack of previous encounters to look at, form is the best guide here.

Salford are in a barren run of form, winning only once in their last 12 games. In that period, they have conceded 406 points – an average of 33.8 per-game – and have scored 14 points or fewer in nine of those matches.

Hull KR have won six of their past 12 outings, including the scalps of Super League teams Widnes Vikings, Leigh Centurions (at the time) and Catalan Dragons.

Furthermore, in amongst those six defeats, KR scored 22 points against Huddersfield Giants and 24 points against Warrington Wolves. In fact, they have scored an average of 20.5 points in their last 12 games – an impressive feat given they were a Championship club against Super League opposition for the majority of those games.

I think the bookies have been too generous with the handicap here. Whilst both these clubs have been tipped for the wooden spoon, I see way too much in the form to doubt Salford winning by a margin of six points or more so Hull KR +5.5 is the call at 97/100 (188BET).