Betfred Super League: Previewing Salford Red Devils v Hull Kingston Rovers

Steve Prescott Man of Steel winner Brodie Croft will be back in front of a Salford Red Devils home crowd for the first time since signing an eight-year contract extension when his side take on Hull Kingston Rovers on Thursday night.

Both sides were winners in the opening round, with Salford dampening Leigh Leopards' opening-night festivities and Rovers pulling out a surprise victory over Wigan Warriors.

So what does Thursday have in store? Here’s the full rundown.

Where: AJ Bell Stadium, Eccles.

When: 8.00pm (GMT)

TV: Sky Sports Arena

Salford’s last five: Won 20-10 @ Leigh (Rd 1), Lost 12-19 @ St Helens (2022 semi-final), Won 28-0 @ Huddersfield (2022 eliminator), Lost 14-32 v Warrington (Rd 27, 2022), Won 50-10 @ Castleford (Rd 26, 2022)

Hull KR's last five: Won 27-18 v Wigan (Rd 1), Won 36-4 @ Hull FC (Rd 27, 2022), Won 38-28 v Wigan (Rd 26, 2022), Lost 6-18 @ Wakefield (Rd 25, 2022), Lost 12-38 @ St Helens (Rd 24, 2022)

Betfred match winner odds (80 minutes): Salford 3/10, Hull KR 13/5, draw 22/1

First try scorer odds: Ken Sio (Salford) 7/1, Joe Burgess (Salford) 8/1, Rhys Williams (Salford) 9/1, Tim Lafai (Salford) 12/1, Ryan Brierley (Salford) 12/1

Milestones:

If Dean Hadley plays it will be his 150th Super League appearances. After 81 for Hull FC and 21 for Wakefield Trinity, Dean Hadley is on 47 Hull KR games heading into Thursday's game.

James Batchelor could make his 100th career appearance, having played 96 games for Wakefield Trinity and one each for Dewsbury Rams, England Knights and new club Hull KR.

SHAUN KENNY-DOWALL'S HAT-TRICK TOPPLED WIGAN IN ROUND ONE

Round 14, 2022: Hull Kingston Rovers 43, Salford Red Devils 16

Round 5, 2022: Salford Red Devils 16, Hull Kingston Rovers 26

Round 9, 2021: Hull Kingston Rovers 40, Salford Red Devils 4

Round 16, 2020: Hull Kingston Rovers 24, Salford Red Devils 22

Round 29, 2019: Salford Red Devils 17, Hull Kingston Rovers 16

Total Super League meetings: 27 (Salford 10, Hull KR 16, one draw)

After being given a tough run-out in their opening fixture away to Leigh, Paul Rowley's Salford side return to the AJ Bell with expectation on their shoulders following their run to the semi-finals last year. The increased buzz around the club due to the contract extension signed by Brodie Croft could also entice in a few extra followers as the Red Devils look to gain a foothold in the prize-winning places at the top of the table for the foreseeable future.

Rovers will be missing four of the players who starred against Wigan in their round one win, with Ryan Hall, Lachlan Coote, Rhys Kennedy and Matty Storton all sitting out the trip west, although skipper and hat-trick hero Shaun Kenny-Dowall is in the 21. Ireland World Cup star Louis Senior could make his KR debut as a result, with Sam Luckley also in line for a first Rovers appearance.

Sportsman stat: Rovers are looking for a fifth straight victory against Salford which would match their longest winning streak against the Red Devils in the Super League era, the previous instance occurring between 2007 and 2010.