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2025 Season Preview: Salford Red Devils
1 Feb 2025
It’s been an off-season which has very much focused on matters away from the field rather than those on it for Salford Red Devils, but if there is one thing we know the Red Devils are used to battling against the odds.
Many predicted a difficult season for Salford in 2024, but Paul Rowley managed to guide the club to a memorable 4th placed finish in the Betfred Super League which was built on a near-perfect home record.
However, it was at home that their season came to an end with a 6-14 Play-Off defeat against Leigh Leopards in front of a sold-out Salford Community Stadium.
Once again Salford will head into the season with one of the smallest squads, but they have managed to hold on to several of their strike players including 2024 nominee for the Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel – Marc Sneyd.
Could the Red Devils shock once again and go one step further?
Ins and Outs:
Ins: Esan Marsters (Huddersfield Giants), Sam Davis (London Broncos), Chris Hill (Huddersfield Giants), Joe Bullock (Warrington Wolves), Justin Sangare (Leeds Rhinos)
Outs: Amir Bourouh (Hull FC), Ollie Partington (Catalans Dragons), Cade Cust (Hull FC), Adam Sidlow (Swinton Lions), Andrew Dixon (Retired), Gil Dudson (Oldham RLFC)
Ones to Watch
The Red Devils have battled off a lot of interest in their players in the lead-up to the season and there is no question as to why rivals were so keen to take some of their stars away.
Nene MacDonald saw himself selected in the 2024 Betfred Super League Dream Team after a terrific season which saw him cross for 12 tries. The Papua New Guinea international’s ability to break from deep was the catalyst for many a Salford try last year.
Looking forward to more acrobatics from Nene Macdonald ???
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) March 2, 2024
Watch @SalfordDevils against @hullkrofficial live on @BBCiPlayer and BBC Red Button tonight from 17:25 GMT ?#BBCRL | @SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/RPpsvf9Q27
On the opposite flank, Samoan Tim Lafai is unpredictable in attack with his offload game being a huge strength for the Red Devils.
Halfback Marc Sneyd has been one of the most consistent performers in the Betfred Super League for a number of years now and is just getting better with last year’s performances almost allowing him to be named the best player in the competition.
There are a few new faces at the Salford Community Stadium including Esan Marsters who arrives from Huddersfield Giants and will offer even more striker power. Justin Sangare adds size to Red Devils pack alongside veteran prop-forward Chris Hill.
Next Generation
Salford have a handful of youngsters who could feature this season particularly if the Red Devils are to pick up injuries. Several of these youngsters memorably featured against Wigan Warriors in the final round of last season.
Nathan Connell, Kai Morgan, Harvey Wilson, Charlie Glover and Jamie Pye will all be looking to add to their sole Betfred Super League apperances.
Defining Dates
Salford’s season opens with a huge Saturday afternoon fixture live on Sky Sports as they travel to St Helens in a fixture they managed to secure victory in last season for the first time since 1980.
The Red Devils will be looking to make the Salford Community Stadium a fortress again in 2025 and that begins against Leeds Rhinos in Round 2.
— kallum watkins (@KallumWatkins) January 30, 2025
Rivals Round sees Paul Rowley’s men travel to Catalans Dragons in mid-April before they will once again battle Hull KR in Newcastle as part of the Magic WKND in Round 10. These fixtures come either side of 2024 Betfred Super League Play-Off Semi-Final rematch versus Leigh Leopards.
A pivotal run for the Red Devils could come between May and June when they have three consecutive home fixtures against Wigan Warriors, St Helens and Hull FC, respectively.
Their regular season finishes by welcoming Betfred Super League newcomers Wakefield Trinity.
Squad List
1 Ryan Brierley 2 Ethan Ryan 3 Nene MacDonald 4 Tim Lafai 5 Deon Cross 6 Jayden Nikorima 7 Marc Sneyd 8 Brad Singleton 9 Joe Mellor 10 Chris Hill 11 Sam Stone 12 Kallum Watkins 13 Joe Shorrocks 14 Chris Atkin 15 Shane Wright 16 Loghan Lewis 17 Esan Marsters 18 Jack Ormondroyd 19 Justin Sangare 20 Joe Bullock 21 Sam Davis 22 Matthew Foster 23 Chris Hankinson 24 Harvey Wilson 25 Ben Hellewell 26 Jamie Pye 27 Kai Morgan 28 Nathan Connell 29 Charlie Glove
First three games on SL+
SuperLeague+ is back for another huge year of live action, and this is when fans can watch the Red Devils in the opening rounds (UK and Ireland) *…
· Round 1 – Saturday 15th February – St Helens v Salford Red Devils, K.O 5:30pm
· Round 2 – Saturday 22nd February – Salford Red Devils v Leeds Rhinios, K.O 3pm
· Round 3 – Thursday 27th February – Hull KR v Salford Red Devils, K.O 8pm
*Overseas viewers can watch ALL SIX Super League matches LIVE every week.
Sign-up to SuperLeague+ today to enjoy over 100 LIVE games, full match replays, highlights and other exclusive on-demand content.
Red Devils Betfred Odds
Grand Final Winner – 50/1
Regular Season Winner – 66/1
Top 6 finish - 3/1
Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel Winner - Marc Sneyd 25/1
Click here for the full list of Betfred Super League betting odds.
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