The second match of the opening day of the Magic Weekend in the Super League on Saturday is a heavyweight clash as Hull FC host St Helens in what is suddenly a huge match for both sides given their respective positions in the table.
Hull FC can head to the top of the table for 24hrs at least if they can find a win in this one while if St Helens lose and results elsewhere go against them they could end the weekend in the bottom four in the league which is unheard of.
Hull FC
The Black and Whites head into this match off the back of five successive wins of which the last two have come about by running up a cumulative 95pts as they have suddenly explosive into life in attacking areas. They have a win over the Castleford Tigers in among those five wins too so they are going well at the minute.
If there were any doubts that the form of last season was a one off then they have been emphatically put to bed over the last month or so. One of the reasons for their success has been their potent half back pairing but their power up the middle has been significant too. Combined that makes Hull hard to beat.
St Helens
It has been a tough season for the Saints but it hit a real low last week when they were torn apart by the Castleford Tigers in the cup. That has left their focus solely on this competition now and they will be looking for a big boost at the Magic Weekend to kick what has been a disappointing campaign into life.
If they are going to get anything from this match then they simply have to find some cohesion in attacking areas. If they can do that then they usually have enough in their defence to keep sides out although Castleford exposed them quite badly last week and that has to be a concern. Saints will hope last week was rock bottom.
Team News
Hull FC are boosted by the return of Sika Manu from suspension and while they remain without Gareth Ellis they do at least have Fetuli Talanoa and Carloa Tuimavave back from injury.
Surprisingly given the horrendous beating they took last weekend St Helens have named the same squad for this match. It may well be a case of sending the same players out to put things right.
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Betting
These two go into this match off the back of very different cup results last week but even allowing for that and putting them to one side it is hard to take on Hull FC right now and it is particularly hard to do that against a side who are not clicking in the halves.
One of the real strengths of this Hull FC side is the combination of Marc Sneyd and Albert Kelly and in modern day British rugby league a half back combination is a real big thing. Theo Fages and Matty Smith haven’t clicked in the same way this season and St Helens’ attack has struggled as a result.
Things aren’t great at either end of the pitch for St Helens at the minute and they look like a side who need their new coach to arrive and takeover sooner rather than later. He’s not here yet so I’m Hull to win this comfortably.
Tips
Back Hull FC (-8) to beat St Helens for a 4/10 stake at 2.00 with Paddy Power
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