Huddersfield v Salford predictions & rugby league tips: Giants to stand tall

Free rugby league tips, best bets and analysis for the 2022 Betfred Super League playoff game between Huddersfield Giants and Salford Red Devils on Saturday.

Where to watch

Channel 4, 1pm Saturday

Best bets

Huddersfield Giants to win by one to 12 points
1pt 2-1 Betfair

Huddersfield Giants penalty first scoring play
1pt 6-1 Betfair, Paddy Power

Salford Red Devils penalty first scoring play
1pt 13-2 Betfair, Paddy Power

Match preview

Huddersfield Giants have already been to the Betfred Challenge Cup final this season and they can take a step closer to the Betfred Super League Grand Final with a narrow victory over Salford.

The Giants were left heartbroken by their last-gasp defeat at the hands of Wigan in May's cup final but they responded well to finish third in the Super League standings.

And they are 160 minutes away from another appearance in a final with St Helens or Wigan to come in the semi-finals should they prevail in this eliminator.

However, it won't be easy and bookmakers are struggling to split these two with the Giants edgy favourites at evens and the Red Devils 11-10 shots.

Salford exceeded expectations to reach the playoffs but most of their best work has been done on home soil and away trips have been their Achilles heel.

Paul Rowley's men won just five of 14 road engagements in the regular season but they have had plenty of joy at the John Smith's Stadium where they have won on five of their last seven visits.

But Huddersfield have become a big-game team and coach Ian Watson knows how to negotiate the playoffs having taken Salford to an unlikely Grand Final appearance in 2019.

Watson's men have taken some big scalps at home this season, including Leeds, Wigan and Catalans, while they ran out 30-18 winners when they met Salford at the Magic Weekend in July.

Salford took their revenge with a 33-16 win at their AJ Bell Stadium a month later to highlight the topsy-turvy nature of this contest.

The Giants' last five victories have come by winning margins of two, two, 26, six and ten and preference is for a narrow home win once again.

Backing either team to open the scoring with a penalty goal may also pay off given the likely tight nature of this contest.

Sign up to emails from Racing Post Sport and get all the latest news and tips

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport