SL preview: Salford v Leeds (Fri)

Second-bottom Salford have the returning Lee Jewitt and Jake Emmitt available for the visit of Brian McDermott’s side.

While the two props will provide a fresh look to the Red’s front row, head coach Brian Noble is without experienced hooker Wayne Godwin.

Gareth Owen is the only interchange hooker in the Salford squad, so a decision will need to be made on who is going to help him out.

Leeds will be without Australian back row Brett Delaney after he picked up a knee injury against London, while centre Joel Moon misses out against his former club with an ankle injury.

Youngster Elliott Minchella could make his debut and join the likes of Liam Sutcliffe, Jordan Baldwinson, Alex Foster, James Duckworth and Thomas Minns in having graduated to the first team this season.

Prop Brad Singleton, who missed out against the Broncos last week is included in the 19-man squad after recovering from a hamstring strain, while Jimmy Keinhorst has been recalled from dual-registration at Hunslet.

Salford 19-man squad: Gaskell, D. Williams, McGoldrick, Gibson, Evalds, Sneyd, Fages, A. Walne, Jewitt, Emmitt, Davies, Dixon, Wild, J. Walne, Hope, Owen, Davidson, Brotherton, Godwin.

Leeds 19-man squad: Hardaker, Jones-Bishop, Watkins, Hall, Burrow, Leuluai, McShane, Peacock, Ablett, Sinfield, Bailey, Kirke, Clarkson, Moore, Keinhorst, Singleton, Sutcliffe, Foster, Minchella.

Prediction: Leeds should have no problem beating an understrength Salford side.

Stats:

Salford are without a home win against Leeds since a 21-12 Regal Trophy success at The Willows on 13 November, 1993. Leeds have won seventeen consecutive away games at Salford since then.

Leeds have won their last nine meetings with Salford. Salford’s last win was 30-20 at Headingley on 13 April, 2009. That win is the City Reds’ only victory over the Rhinos in the summer era.

2013 meeting – Leeds 42-14 Salford (SLR3, 15/2/13)

Super League summary:

Salford won 1

Leeds won 30

Salford highest score: 30-20 (A, 2009) (also widest margin)

Leeds highest score: 56-6 (H, 2001), 56-16 (A, 2012) (Widest margin: 56-6, H, 2001)