Hull derbies never need any extra spice adding to them but Friday night’s one has an extra edge as both sides have two weeks left to accumulate enough points to confirm their Super League status for next season. Failure to do so will leave teams with a nervous seven matches later in the season so plenty is on the line at the KC Lightstream Stadium not just local bragging rights.
If anything it is Hull KR who are more desperate for the points. They sit in ninth spot going into this week and are two points behind their city rivals who are one place ahead of them in the table. Hull KR were looking to push towards the playoffs a few weeks ago but back to back defeats have seen them change their plans dramatically.
One problem area for Hull KR in the last couple of weeks has been their defence. They have shipped 28pts or more in their last three matches and that clearly isn’t good enough. Chris Chester has addressed that by bringing Greg Burke and Tony Puletua back into the squad but there is a major doubt over Albert Kelly and with Terry Campese out for the season if they were to be without Kelly too that would be big.
On the flip side of that Hull FC needed to put a run together to push themselves up into the top eight and they’ve done just that. They’ve won their last two matches and will be going into this match with their confidence high. A win here will secure their Super League status for next season and there is no bigger incentive than that.
Lee Radford didn’t need to make changes to his side for this match but he has brought captain Gareth Ellis and fellow forward Mark Minichello back into the squad and both are set to start. Tom Lineham is expected to play even though he’s off at the end of the season and he’ll want to leave Hull FC in Super League where they belong.
Generally Hull KR have had the better of these matches in recent times, much to the delight of their fans, but FC fans had something to shout about at the Magic Weekend when their side demolished their rivals and they will be hoping for more here.
Although Rovers have enjoyed more success in the derby recently it is Hull FC I like here. Their defence is performing a lot better and if Albert Kelly doesn’t pass a fitness test it might not be tested as much as it could have been. Hull’s attack is becoming more and more potent and KR have suddenly started shipping points at a pretty alarming rate so at odds against I’ll back Hull to preserve their Super League status by claiming the two points here.
Back Hull FC to beat Hull KR for a 4/10 stake at 2.20 with William Hill
