The best might well have been saved for last at the Super League Magic Weekend as the final game of the summer extravaganza sees both Hull sides going at it for a vital two points for each team.
Hull FC could go clear at the top depending on other results with a win here while Hull KR can edge their way closer to safety if they can pick up the points. This is derby which doesn’t need any extra motivation attached to it but it is there anyway.
Hull FC
FC have been on a really good run of late and they showed they are real contenders for a Grand Final spot this season when they went to Wigan and won last week. To win at Wigan is a fine achievement anyway but to do it without arguably their talisman Frank Pritchard is a real standard setter.
With that win Hull have now won eight of their last nine in the Super League with the real surprise about that run being the fact that the match they didn’t win came against the Leeds Rhinos. Hull are becoming masters of winning tight matches which can never be a bad thing.
Hull KR
After the surprises of last year where Hull KR had to go through the Middle 8s to secure their Super League status it has been a very poor start to the season for the red side of Hull and really and truly they haven’t been able to find any consistency and that will have disappointed them because I’m sure they would have wanted to build on the success of making the Challenge Cup final.
Key players have been missing at times and that never helps especially for a side like Rovers who are pretty reliant on a certain few players to be fit and delivering their best but that hasn’t happened hence why they are facing the prospect of the Middle 8s again.
Team news
Hull FC have Frank Pritchard back from the ban he was forced to serve last week which will be a real boost while Carlos Tuimavave is also fit to return from injury which is a positive too. Steve Michaels misses out though so Curtis Naughton is in the squad in his place.
Hull KR have named Terry Campese in the squad for the first time in six weeks. His return should be a real boost to them if they can keep him fit. Chris Clarkson and Iain Thornley also return with Jon Boudebza among those making way.
Betting
All things being equal you would think this will be a comfortable Hull FC win based on current form but these derbies rarely apply logic or indeed the form book so I just wonder whether this one will play out that way.
Hull KR certainly won’t lack for motivation in this match. They surrendered a 20-0 lead to their rivals on Good Friday and in truth their season hasn’t got going since then so they will be relishing the chance to put that right.
Despite that added incentive for Rovers I just don’t see them being good enough to win the game. I certainly see them competing and being competitive for large parts and if Kelly and Campese can combine well they should give a good account of themselves but I have to side with Hull FC here.
Hull FC, along with the Catalans, have the best set of forwards in Super League and they can lead them up the park enough to regularly threaten the Rovers line and bring home the two points albeit in a match which is a little tighter than the general consensus would appear it to be.
Tips
WON – Back Hull FC to win by 1-12pts for a 3/10 stake at 3.10 with Paddy Power
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