The Super League returns on Thursday after a week off for the Challenge Cup final and it returns with a real bang as Huddersfield host Castleford in a match which could shape the playoff picture dramatically.
The Giants go into this match in third place in the table, two points ahead of the Tigers in fifth with St Helens in between the two sides so the winner of this match is going to significantly boost their chances of making the postseason.
Huddersfield are in good form heading into this match. They have won four of their last five including a solid win over St Helens last time out which moved them into third place. A win here would all but secure their spot in the semi-final.
Castleford have been in good touch themselves over recent weeks although their good form came to a grinding halt when they were torn apart by the Calatans Dragons prior to the break. They will be looking to pick up their best form in what is the biggest match of their season bar none.
Not surprisingly Paul Anderson has named an unchanged squad for this match. Danny Brough has been in good nick recently and as always his kicking game will be big to how the Giants go here. Jermaine McGillvary has been in good try scoring form over recent weeks and Huddersfield will be looking at him to score more here.
Castleford are in a bit of disarray heading into this match. They have suspended Justin Carney pending an internal investigation and with nothing out in the public domain surrounding that incident everyone is a bit in the dark.
Michael Shenton is injured so the Tigers will be without arguably their two best players here. Denny Solomona comes in for Carney but at least Ashley Gibson has recovered from that nasty tackle he was on the end of in France.
I fancied Huddersfield in this match before the team news but I really like them now. They have got better and better as the season has gone on and there is a clear motivation to progress to the playoffs and do some damage in them when they get there.
Castleford have done really well to get themselves into the playoff mix after an ordinary start to their campaign and if they were to make it to back to back playoffs that would be a significant achievement. This is a big game for them in that regard but I fancy the Giants to come through this and have a double figure margin in hand come the end.
Back Huddersfield (-9.5) to beat Castleford for a 4/10 stake at 1.80 with Paddy Power
