The latest round of Super League matches kick off on Thursday night when the leaders Hull FC head to Huddersfield in another big game in the top flight. Hull FC can move four points clear at the top ahead of the rest of the matches in the round while for Huddersfield it is all about preparing for the upcoming Middle 8s.
Huddersfield Giants
It has been a wretched season for the Giants so far. They have had no consistency and they can’t even blame injuries for their recent dip in form. The worry for them is that their hopes of making something from the season was in the Challenge Cup and they fell flat on their face in that competition last week.
The really concerning thing for them last week was how easily their defence was exposed and opened up. When you think back to the good times Huddersfield have had in recent times they were all produced off the back of a solid defence. Had Wakefield gone into last week in better form they could have run up a lot more points than they actually did.
Hull FC
In contrast to Huddersfield, Hull FC produced one of the best all-round performances you will see all season in beating Catalans Dragons in the cup last week in what was a continuation of their excellent form in the Super League which has seen them open up a nice gap at the top and already look odds on for a place in the playoffs.
Unlike Huddersfield, Hull FC have been defending well this season and while they are not the most creative side in the halves or the back line they ride a very powerful pack as well as they can and the chances that come from that often get converted. They are an efficient machine much like the Giants used to be.
Team News
Huddersfield suffered the loss of Danny Brough to suspension after the cup game so he will miss this match. Scott Grix and Joe Wardle picked up injuries against Wakefield too and they are going to be sidelined here so that is three big players the Giants will miss.
Hull FC miss a couple of key men themselves in Gareth Ellis and Jamie Shaul. Ellis’ influence is important while Shaul has arguably been the best full back in the league this season. Curtis Naughton returns though which is a positive.
Betting
The way Huddersfield are defending you just have to take them on right now. Even if they were defending well they would be worth taking on against this quality Hull FC side but the fact there are huge holes in the Giants’ defence only heightens the confidence.
I’m surprised Hull FC are only having to give up a converted try in this match. Earlier in the season they demolished Huddersfield by 17pts and if anything have only got better and better since then. Hull FC have a strong edge in the forward pack and without Brough Huddersfield may well lack the creativity needed to open them up so I’m expecting a fairly routine Hull FC win here.
Super League Tips
Back Hull FC (-6) to beat Huddersfield for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Bwin
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