Super League preview: Widnes v Salford

Widnes go into their home clash with Salford on the back of five straight Super League wins.

The Vikings won their last three in 2013, and have beaten London and Huddersfield in their two fixtures so far this term.

Head coach Denis Betts is further boosted ahead of the visit of the Red Devils, as captain Jon Clarke is in line for his first appearance of the season, whilst stand-off Kevin Brown also returns.

Salford have players of their own returning from the treatment table, with Steve Rapira and Junior Sa’u coming into the matchday squad.

Unfortunately for head coach Brian Noble the pair come in as replacements for Gareth Hock and Francis Meli, who picked up knocks in last week’s defeat to St Helens.

Hock, who spent last season on loan at the Vikings, will be sorely missed as the Red Devils look to bounce back and add to their record of eight wins out of the 13 Super League meetings between the two sides.

Widnes

Squad: Allen, Brown, Clarke, Clough, Dean, Flynn, Galea, Gerrard, Hanbury, Isa, Johnson, Joseph, Leuluai, Lloyd, Marsh, Mellor, Owens, Tickle, White.

Last match: Won 22-20 at home to Huddersfield

Salford

Squad: Ashurst, Dixon, Fages, Sa’u, Hansen, A Walne, Gleeson, Howarth, Johnson, Lee, Puletua, Morley, Mullaney, McPherson, Rapira, Smith, Tasi, Williams, Walton.

Last match: Lost 38-nil at home to St Helens

Previous 10 meetings

Salford 4, Widnes 24 (SLR27, 6/9/13)

Salford 28, Widnes 22 (SLR16, 26/5/13 at Etihad Stadium, Manchester)

Widnes 58, Salford 24 (SLR11, 7/4/13)

Salford 8, Widnes 46 (SLR21, 20/7/12)

Widnes 18, Salford 38 (SLR3, 19/2/12)

Widnes 20, Salford 18 (NL1R10, 19/6/08)

Salford 16, Widnes 16 (NL1R4, 11/4/08)

Salford 34, Widnes 16 (SLR20, 8/7/05)

Widnes 6, Salford 22 (SLR10, 17/4/05)

Salford 14, Widnes 13 (SLR23, 14/8/04)