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Hull FC open their Super 8s account against Salford Red Devils at the KCOM Stadium. Sports editor James Smailes previews the game.

Asked how his side would approach the Super 8s in terms of setting goals, Lee Radford said Hull FC would wipe the slate clean and aim to be top of a new seven-game league table.

Its probably the best approach given a look down at the current Super League ladder is enough to put the frighteners on anyone outside of runaway leaders Castleford Tigers.

Lets put it in context. Should Hull lose to Salford Red Devils at the KCOM Stadium and the rest of round one go pretty much to form, FC could find themselves sixth in the table heading to St Helens next week, sitting just a point ahead of Wigan in seventh.

Such are the fine margins in this season of unpredictability and surprise, each round feels almost like a knockout game with so much riding on it.

Even Huddersfield Giants in eighth will hold a belief they can spoil the top-four party, and while those chances are slim, the race for the play-offs really is wide open.

Getting off to a good start is paramount and Hull have the chance to do just that against a Salford side who have impressed this season, but fallen off in terms of results and performance in the past two months.

The Red Devils have a point to prove after being knocked out of the Challenge Cup by Wigan and are desperate to show they can hold their pursuit of a top-four finish.

Likewise, Hull must prove lessons have been learned from last year. Theyve shown everyone the quality they possess, now they must show the necessary consistency and mental toughness to stay on course in the league as the Wembley arch looms large in the background.

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Starting the Super 8s with a win will go a long way to doing that. Just as a defeat could see Hull playing catch-up, so a win opens a three-point gap over Salford and regardless of results elsewhere keeps Radfords men in the driving seat.

As long as the performance is good enough to win was Radfords assessment of what he wants to see against Salford.

Hull dont have to play at their impressive best this evening, they just need to win and thats the case for the Super 8s as a whole.

If anything this side have shown they can turn it on when it counts in knockout games, they just need to make sure theyre in one come the conclusion of the Super 8s.

With injuries to Marc Sneyd, Mark Minichiello and Josh Bowden, Hull FC coach Lee Radford has made three enforced changes to his squad.

Jordan Thompson is expected to feature having been left out of the Challenge Cup semi-final victory, while Steve Michaels should also come into the side to allow Radford to freshen things up in his back division.

Jansin Turgut was the third alteration to the 19-man squad, but may have to sit out once again with Brad Fash in pole position to come into the 17-man squad having missed out last week as 18th man.

Salford have been dealt a blow after it was confirmed Lama Tasi has been ruled out for 10 weeks, effectively ending his 2017 season.

Its really frustrating to pick up an injury like this so late on in the season. Were coming up to crunch time with the Super 8s and to miss these sort of game is disappointing, said Tasi, who was suspended for the match at the KCOM Stadium anyway.

Fellow forward Mark Flanagan has also been ruled out for the season with a shoulder injury, but coach Ian Watson has half-back Robert Lui and centre Jake Bibby back.

Tyrone McCarthy and Manu Vatuvei are both set to make their Super League debuts.

If theres one attribute that Salford have plenty of in their locker its size when it comes to the outside backs.

The Red Devils are a big physical unit out wide, similar to Hull, and that makes the contest on either wing not just crucial but exciting to watch.

In that regard, the match-up between FCs Mahe Fonua and new Salford arrival Manu Vatuvei is going to be bring fireworks.

Vatuvei is expected to make his Super League debut having played in the Cup semi-final defeat last week. The Kiwi international is a monster out wide, but Hull have their own ace up their sleeve in that regard with Fonua.

Expect fireworks when these two clash.

Last ten meetings:

Salford 10, Hull FC 34 (SLR18, 9/6/17)

Hull FC 18, Salford 54 (SLR8, 7/4/17)

Salford 20, Hull FC 28 (SLR23, 22/7/16)

Hull FC 42, Salford 20 (SLR1, 5/2/16)

Hull FC 24, Salford 20 (SLR12, 1/5/15)

Salford 32, Hull FC 28 (SLR3, 28/2/15)

Salford 35, Hull FC 22 (SLR20, 12/7/14)

Hull FC 36, Salford 37 (aet) (CCR4, 3/4/14)

Hull FC 30, Salford 8 (SLR7, 28/3/14)

Hull FC 18, Salford 13 (SLR25, 16/8/13)

Super League summary

Hull FC won 31

Salford won 9

Hull FC highest score: 82-6 (H, 2004) (also widest margin)

Salford highest score: 54-18 (A, 2017) (also widest margin)

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Hull FC v Salford Red Devils big game preview, opinion, key battle and score prediction - Hull Daily Mail