Salford v Castleford betting preview, free tips, team news, where to watch

Where to watch

Sky Sports Arena & Main Event, 7.45pm Thursday

Best bets

Salford -4
3pts Evs general

Back this tip with bet365

J Hastings man of the match
1pt 6-1 Betfred

Match preview

Salford and Castleford have reached the point of no return in the chase for Betfred Super League glory and the 2019 season will be over for the losers of this playoff tussle.

The winners will stay on the road to Old Trafford but will then face the daunting prospect of having to beat Wigan and St Helens in consecutive weeks to claim the ultimate prize.

So it’s hardly surprising to see both sides quoted at double-digit prices to win at the Theatre of Dreams next month.

Hosts Salford go off as 8-13 favourites for this assignment with Cas 6-4 to win on the road as underdogs for the second week running after their 14-12 success at Warrington.

The Red Devils will have to bounce back from their first loss in nine matches after succumbing 18-12 to Wigan in a battle royale at the DW Stadium.

The Warriors had to live up to their names to repel Ian Watson’s side, who showed plenty of creativity and flair with the ball as they have all season.

Only runaway table-toppers St Helens have posted more points than Salford this year and the Red Devils should have too much firepower for the Tigers, who have mustered just three tries in their last three away games.

Without doubt the Red Devils have the trump card in Man of Steel elect Jackson Hastings. The Australian is joining Wigan next season and win or lose this will be his farewell performance at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Hastings is expected to shrug off an eye injury sustained at Wigan and can continue to be the star of the Salford show.

His try against the Warriors last time out was his eighth of the season and he has created an incredible 36 four-pointers as well. That’s 14 more than any other player and he looks a decent bet to be voted man of the match.

This season’s two clashes between the teams resulted in a win apiece but on both occasions Salford rewarded their handicap backers, including when they triumphed 26-16 at the AJ Bell in the last meeting in June.

The hosts were asked to concede two points in that game and the line is only a couple of points higher this time.

Salford and Hastings look well worth backing to win the battle.

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