Sunday's second semi-final at Warrington pits the cup experts against the novices in a clash which is set to feature two debutants for the Red Devils.
Wigan are appearing in a record-equalling 47th Challenge Cup semi-final chasing a record-extending 20th final triumph while Salford are seeking their first trip to Wembley since 1969 in pursuit of only a second cup victory.
The Red Devils sit above the reigning league and world club champions in the Betfred Super League table and in May gained their first away win over Wigan for 20 years, but they have limped into the Super 8s, finishing in the top four despite winning only one of their last seven matches.
"We've had a blip in performance recently but this is a different ball game altogether, this is where the main characters step forward," Watson said.
20 years since their last semi-final 😈@tcarney06, @Weller_hauraki and @SalfordDevils are really up for Sunday 🔴⚫ pic.twitter.com/40W3h7lKVd
— The Challenge Cup (@TheChallengeCup) July 28, 2017
"I'm sure you will see a different team this weekend. I have every faith in the boys to step up."
Salford, whose solitary Wembley triumph was 79 years ago, are appearing in their first semi-final since 1998 when they lost to eventual winners Sheffield Eagles, whereas Wigan coach Shaun Wane says his club have a special relationship with the Challenge Cup.
"They've done a lot better than us in the league this year and they butchered us at the DW Stadium but this is a knockout game and it's our favourite competition," said Wane, who argues his side will gain additional motivation from their defeat by Hull FC in the semi-finals 12 months ago.
"We were really poor in that game," he added. "It hurt me greatly and I've reminded the players that I never want to have that feeling again.
"It took me a long time to get over that. We're desperate to get our second trophy of the year. It's an addictive feeling to travel down there and win that trophy.
"Living in a town like this, it's what everybody talks about, in every school and every pub, it's all about going to Wembley. I didn't sleep last night, so I'm ready."
It will be a tough journey tomorrow and our @SalfordDevils boys are looking forward to it to get us to that beautiful destination
— Marwan Koukash (@drmarwanK) July 29, 2017
Wane is able to field one of his strongest teams of the year with England second rowers Liam Farrell and Joel Tomkins both having recovered from injury.
That means all three of the Tomkins brothers will feature in the game, with youngest sibling Logan, the Red Devils hooker, going up against Joel and Sam Tomkins, which has enabled their parents to book their hotel in London in the safe knowledge that there will be family interest in the August 26 final.
Watson has included ever-present stand-off Robert Lui in his 19-man squad despite his injured foot being in a protective boot at the start of the week and is also poised to play new signings Manu Vatuvei, the former New Zealand Test winger, and ex-Hull KR and Warrington Wolves loose forward Tyrone McCarthy, who has played at Wembley for both his previous Super League clubs.
"They've made two great signings and they're going to put them straight into the game," Wane said.
"Vatuvei has played nearly 200 NRL games and I've watched nearly all of them.
"He's an unbelievably good winger, he will be a handful. But what we have to do as a team is make it a test for him. It's his first time in Super League and he's not played for a few weeks."
