The second round of Super 8 matches in the Super League begin at Widnes on Thursday night when the Widnes Vikings host the league leaders Hull FC in what should be an entertaining way to start the round of matches.
Widnes know they are playing for nothing but pride from here on in while Hull FC have it all at stake and a win here will move them three points clear at the top ahead of the rest of the matches in this round of games.
Widnes Vikings
Widnes have lost three of their last four matches which has seen any hopes they had of making the playoffs officially come to an end. Even their win in that run was against an injury ravaged Catalans side so that isn’t the best of form guides so you get the feeling the Vikings will have to find something substantial here.
Given that they aren’t playing for a whole lot it remains to be seen whether Denis Betts uses some youngsters in the remaining matches. His side rarely have a problem scoring points but keeping them out has become more of an issue the longer the season has gone on.
Hull FC
The leaders go into this match off the back of a massive defeat to the Castleford Tigers last week but we can excuse them of that given that they didn’t have the week off and Castleford did. It was encouraging that Hull FC tried to launch a comeback even though the cup semi had clearly taken lots out of them.
At their best Hull FC are tight and resolute in defence and the longer the season has worn on the better their attack has looked and that is a massive thing. Those two components will need to continue to come together heading into the playoffs if the Black and Whites are to be successful.
Team News
Widnes came out of the Calatans game with some key injuries. Rhys Hansbury, Stefan Marsh and Chris Dean are all out of this match with youngsters coming in to replace them.
Hull FC have made just the one change to their squad with Jordan Abdull making way. Liam Watts, Mahe Fonua and Feluti Talanoa are all expected to be fit to play in this one.
Betting
There are going to be a few of these matches in the Super 8s where a side who is playing for nothing goes up against a side with it all to play for and the later into the season we go the more the pressure could be a detriment to the side playing for something but I don’t see that being the case here.
Widnes flew off like a house on fire this season but the slump since Easter has never really ended and now big injuries are getting involved and not helping them either. I think the Vikings will struggle here so I’m on this powerful Hull FC side to win and to cover six points.
There is no more powerful and mobile pack in the competition than this Hull FC one and their back line has significantly improved in getting over the line as the season has gone on. Widnes might show glimpses in this match but I expect the baulk of the scoring to come from the visitors and they can cover a converted score in what could ended up a very one sided scoreline.
Tips
WON – Back Hull FC (-6) to beat Widnes for a 4/10 stake at 1.91 with Bet365
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