Celtic Crusaders v Salford
28th Sepember 2008 - 16:00 GMT

These top two teams met in the qualifying final two weeks ago and Celtic caused something of a shock with their 44-18 victory at The Willows. If you looked at that game in isolation you would be making Celtic strong favourites as they dominated from start to finish and were ruthless when Salford made errors.
However, any team can get a roll on in any one individual fixture so further examination of the merits of the teams is required. Salford won the regular season with something to spare and before the Celtic defeats had been on an impressive winning run. They have a lot of youngsters in their side who may have froze on the big occasion. The defeat may have been the wake up call they needed. Certainly they came out all guns blazing in the Final Eliminator versus Whitehaven and they had the game won in twenty minutes before going on to rattle up 60pts.
Salford seem to be very good at bullying teams and their full time status has given them the edge in strength and fitness against the lesser lights.
Celtic, though, are also full-time and they too have finished the season strongly. The return of key playmaker Jace Van Dyke is a factor in this and along with the league player of the year Damien Quinn they have impressive halves. They have a touch a quality throughout their ranks none more so than full-back Tony Duggan who has impressed me throughout his Celtic high try scoring career.
In their previous match ups Celtic won a low scoring affair on the last day of the regular season whilst Salford had an impressive Northern Rail semi final win at Celtic and won a close one at home in the league. So two victories a piece going in to this Grand Final decider. Crucially, perhaps, Celtic have won the last two and certainly won't fear the Reds.
If Celtic can match the Salford pack in terms of go-forward and don't allow them to get off to a fast start I feel the errors will again creep in to the Salford game. Celtic have the players to score plenty of points and I really can't see much between the two outfits. Salford may have the experience of Robbie Paul who has played in many a Grand Final and Shaun McRae who has coached St.Helens to Super League and cup final success but I think that will count for little when the teams get on the park. No result would surprise and I really can't split the pair. As such the 6pts start is the bet I'm taking. 2.75 on the match odds also appeals as I would go even money the pair but I'm taking the safe option of the points insurance.

Pick: Celtic Crusaders +6 3pts @1.91 with Bet365 or Ladbrokes
 
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the man