Play-Off Eliminators Preview

The 2024 Betfred Super League Play-Off Eliminators are here, but only two teams can make it through to the semi-finals to compete in a place for the biggest night in Rugby League!

A place in the Grand Final awaits six clubs – will it be Wigan Warriors, Hull KR, Warrington Wolves, Salford Red Devils, Leigh Leopards or St Helens who will feature at Old Trafford and Saturday 12 October?

As the Warriors and the Robins have a bye-week and a straight pass into the semis, all eyes will turn to two tasty Eliminators taking place this weekend, live exclusively on Sky Sports…

- Stadium-record crowd for a @SalfordDevils home game ?
- #GrandFinal set for highest attendance in at least 6 years ?

Who has got their ticket for the Play-Offs? ? #SuperLeague

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 25, 2024

Friday 27 September

Salford Red Devils v Leigh Leopards (4^th v 5^th) (20.00) – live on Sky Sports

Expect a record-breaking and bumper crowd when the Red Devils and the Leopards renew a rivalry at the Salford Stadium on Friday night.

Both teams are in fine form - Salford secured a home Eliminator last weekend, while Leigh secured a last-gasp top six spot in the final round, with an emphatic victory over St Helens.

The Leopards will make the short trip to play their bitter neighbours and have convincingly won two of their three Super League games against their opposition this season, including their most recent meeting at Magic Weekend. They have also won nine of their last 11 Super League matches and made an applaudable charge to this year’s Play-Offs.

However, Adrian Lam’s men have won just one of their previous five away games against Salford, whereas Paul Rowley’s men have recently created a fortress there, having won each of their last seven Super League games at home.

This will be the hosts’ fourth appearance in a Super League Eliminator, and they will be aiming for their first Grand Final appearance since 2019. The visitors, on the other hand, will be playing in an Elimination match for just the second time in their history, and are yet to feature in a Super League semi-final or Grand Final.

Salford's squad returns to full strength for their Play-Off Eliminator. Head coach Paul Rowley was able to rest his key players against Wigan Warriors in Round 27, with their place in the top six having been already secured.

Leigh have also named their strongest side.

Playoff squad locked-in! ?

— Salford Red Devils ? (@SalfordDevils) September 25, 2024

Saturday 28 September

Warrington Wolves v St Helens (2^nd v 6^th) (5.30) - live on BBC Two and Sky Sports

There’s going to be fireworks on Saturday night when Sam Burgess’ Wolves face off with Paul Wellens’ Saints. There will be love lost between these two sides, as blockbuster encounter awaits us at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Warrington have won both of their matches against St Helens in this season’s Super League after losing seven in a row against them previously, including when they met at this stage last season. It's a rematch of the 2023 Eliminator where Saints ran out 16-8 victors at the Totally Wicked.

In history, Saints have reached a colossal total of 15 Grand Finals, winning ten, but are currently seeking their first appearance at Old Trafford since 2022, having missed out in 2023.

Prior to this, St Helens were formidable and had won four straight titles in a row. Is 2024 the year they comeback and be crowned Champions?

The Wolves have certainly had the better form in 2024 and were unlucky to miss out on second place. They will have extra fire in their bellies this year, having not featured in a Grand Final since 2018, and head coach Burgess having reinvigorated his side.

Warrington are yet to win at Old Trafford, despite reaching the final four times. Is it finally their year?

The Wolves are boosted by the return of powerhouse Paul Vaughan and Rodrick Tai, while Paul Wellens makes just one change to his 21-man squad with Moses Mbye stepping out of the squad after picking up a calf injury during the warm-up at Leigh in the last round. Young Saint Jonny Vaughan is the player who replaces him, who keeps looking to make his mark in his debut season.

The full Play-Off route and information can be found here.

The Betfred Super League Play-Off Eliminators will get underway on Friday night with Salford Red Devils v Leigh Leopards, live exclusively on Sky Sports (K.O. 8pm). This is to be followed by Warrington Wolves v St Helens on Saturday (K.O. 5:30pm) - shown on BBC Two and Sky Sports.

Information regarding dates, venues and kick-off times can be found here.