Salford v St Helens: Betfred Super League betting preview, tips & TV details

TV details: Sky Sports Arena, 7.45pm Thursday

St Helens won their first five games on their way to topping the Betfred Super League in 2018 and Justin Holbrook's team go in search of their fourth straight victory at the start of this campaign.

Saints have already seen off Wigan, Wakefield and Leeds and now face a resurgent Salford, who sit fourth on the fledgling table.

There's little doubt that Saints will be among the leading contend­ers for the crown come the season's end. The key question on this occasion is how good are Salford?

The arrival of Australian play­maker Jackson Hastings last July has made a considerable differ­ence. Ian Watson's team have won nine of the ten games he's played.

Last weekend's dramatic 24-22 comeback win at Hull KR was their third success in four outings this year. The others came against London and Huddersfield and it's possible that by the end of the season, the Red Devils' three victims could all find themselves in the bottom three.

Salford have played only Leeds of Super League's leading lights and were hammered 46-14 at home by the Rhinos.

The Red Devils were still in the game when Jansin Turgut was sin-binned early in the second half and Leeds took full advan­tage, Dave Furner's men winning with something to spare.

Saints are a better side than Leeds so that form line indicates that they're a decent bet to over­come the eight-point handicap at the AJ Bell Stadium, something they did with ease last year when romping to a 60-10 triumph.

The slight worry is that St Helens have won their opening three fixtures narrowly – by ten, six and five points. But this looks the kind of contest in which they could cut loose, even with classy outside-back Kevin Naiqama ruled out through injury.

Salford have conceded 70 points in their last two starts and coach Watson has recalled forward Mark Flanagan to face his former club.

Flash, as Flanagan is known, is 6-1 to get on the scoresheet and 12-5 to end up on the winning side but punters are advised to get aboard the Saints bandwagon and back the visitors to cover the handicap.

Recommendation
St Helens -8
3pts 10-11 general

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