CELTIC CRUSADERS V SALFORD CITY REDS
28th September - 16:00 BST

Although this match will not have the added meaning of promotion tagged to it because both teams will be going into the new franchise Super League, there will still be a huge amount of professional pride on display. After all, everyone wants to be known as the best team in a given division.

In the elimination match the Celtic Crusaders came out looking like a hungry side and completely out hustled Salford from the moment the game kicked off and ran out deserved winners on that occasion. I think that the Reds will be much more prepared this time around.

In terms of personnel there isn't a massive amount to split the teams, although I would give a minor edge to Salford. Based upon a season long set of performances you cannot argue with a table.

Another factor you could consider is that Celtic have not played for seventeen days in the lead up to this match whereas the Salford team have had to qualify for it. One school of thought is that the rest will have done Celtic good and they will be fresher for the contest and the other is that hey could get rusty and Salford will be sharper for having had the extra competitiveness. Hard one to call but you can't help but notice that Salford absolutely crushed Whitehaven 62-18 - that is a team annoyed with itself.

At a handicap in the 8-10 region, I would definitely have been advocating Celtic but at the moment a lot of bookies have gone for the 4 mark. At a handicap of 4, a converted try victory wins your bet.

I'm torn between Salford outright at 1.62 and -4 @ 2 because on the big occasion I think they have what it takes to win this match and some. As impressive the Welsh side have been this year, I'm very doubtful that they can match their performance last time out.

Players that I will be keeping an eye on are inspirational Robbie Paul and youngster Richie Myler of the Reds, and top class Damien Quinn of the Crusaders.

I think that on the basis of marginally better personnel and having a more reliable winning record to go on, I have to side with Salford. It is never great to be inactive for two and a half weeks ahead of a huge game and that is another thing that stands against Celtic for mine. Salford to cover the start for me.

Bet365 offer a market whereby you can bet on the total point of a given team in the match and I would like to focus on Celtic Crusaders. The offer a price of even money on them to get less than 23.5 points and this is a solid bet for me. I fancy this to be a little tighter than the last contest between the sides but can never rule out a City Reds purple patch where they knock up quick points so that is why I will leave the total points market.

RECOMMENDATIONS - 3 Points on Salford -4 @ 2 (Paddy Power)
3 Points on Celtic Crusders less than 23.5 Points @ 2 (Bet365)