The final match of the opening weekend in the Super League comes from Belle Vue on Sunday as the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats host the Challenge Cup winners Hull FC in the first match of the season for both sides.
Both teams will be hoping to get their campaigns off to a winning start which should add a further competitiveness to this Yorkshire clash.
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
It kind of got forgotten given the amazing story of the Million Pound Match and the excitement of the playoffs that Wakefield finished in the top eight last season. Another reason for that would be the fact that they completely lost their form after losing in the semi-final of the Challenge Cup but they showed they can live with the elite.
Wakefield are not completely adverse to quick starts while the optimism is high around the place. Whether that is taking advantage of the bigger sides gelling or if they do something special to hit the ground running I’m not sure but I would expect them to be on it in this match and dangerous if they are allowed to be.
Hull FC
I think Hull FC were most people’s idea of the team of the year last season but that counts for nothing now. They need to put that behind them and get back to business and prove they are good enough to go the distance again this season. Sides inevitably dip after winning the Challenge Cup so I’m not going to hold the fact they faded away against them but a couple of early defeats this season would change that thinking.
If Hull FC are to go well then they need their half backs to remain as creative as they were last season. If anything they look stronger in that area this time around so it will be interesting to see if that is how it plays out. A number of players came to prominence last year. They need to back those efforts up here.
Team News
Wakefield Trinity are expected to give debuts to four of their new signings with Sam Williams, Kyle Wood, Scott Grix and Craig Huby all included in the squad but Mitch Allgood will have to wait for his debut. Keegan Hirst and Mason Caton-Brown will have to wait too.
Hull FC will give debuts to Josh Griffin, Jake Connor and Albert Kelly while Gareth Ellis is expected to play despite not playing a single pre-season match. Josh Bowden and Dean Hadley are out with injury.
Betting
Hull are giving up between six and eight points depending on where you bet and that seems about right to me. I’m not convinced they will cover it but at the same time I wouldn’t be surprised if they do.
Both sides have had some key personnel change in the big positions which clouds the thinking heading into this match somewhat so I’m going to have a look at what both have to offer with an eye on the future rather than risk anything now.
Tips
No Bet
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