I would have a wager on RW having the 22nd in mind. Just to keep up the media campaign.
Although if it were the other way round I'm sure I'd move with similar tactics.
If it's not in by the 22nd and everything goes our way we will be neck and neck, then it really could come down to funding.
-That said the 20th (CSR- Comprehensive spending review) could potentially put a huge rock in Salford's way- as 22M out of the 26M total cost is coming from local government. And we know what David Cameron et al think about local spending at the moment. Thank god for the private sector!
Anyway's best of luck.