The final match of the Super League Magic Weekend sees the two teams from across Hull meeting when Hull KR take on Hull FC in what is simply a huge derby for both sides as the race for the play-offs begins to intensify.
There is never any love lost between these two at the best of times but with Hull FC occupying the final play-off spot heading into this match and Hull KR only being two points below them it goes without saying this is going to be an extremely competitive encounter.
Where to watch
The match will be shown live and in full on the Sky Sports Arena channel with the build-up to it beginning at 5.15pm ahead of the kick off which comes at 5.30pm.
Hull KR
This has been a pretty ordinary season for Hull KR when you consider what they achieved last term and the signings they made in the off-season to go again. They go into this match in eighth place in the table and in the middle of a run of just one win in eight in all competitions. I guess when you consider the run they are in the fact that they are only two points away from the play-offs shows you that this is a wide open campaign.
Two things appeared to be catalysts for the poor form of the Robins. The first is a bad injury list where key players were hit and the other was the strange announcement about two months ago that Tony Smith would be leaving his coaching position at the end of the season. They have rectified that issue by dismissing him last week and they’ll hope the injury situation eases up. The one thing Hull KR need to do if they are going to push for the play-offs is sort their attack out. Danny Maguire should be the ideal coach to help with that.
Hull FC
Hull FC fans could be forgiven for feeling a touch of déjà vu about how their season is panning out. If we go back 12 months they were in a season where they promised much on paper and in a good position which was just starting to fade away and the exact same thing is happening again this term. Clearly the recent addition of Jake Trueman at the end of the season suggests that they have planned for the future but whether they can afford this season to just fizzle out remains to be seen.
Hull FC go into this match having lost their last four matches, a run which was sparked when they lost a seemingly unassailable lead to Wakefield before hitting rock bottom when they were taken to the cleaners by Leeds last week. Injuries aren’t helping Hull FC but the swift exit of Josh Reynolds suggests that there might a bit of an issue in the dressing room. Whatever the situation is their confidence can’t be very high here.
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Team News
Hull KR will be without winger Ryan Hall and half-back Jordan Abdull for this match but importantly Lachlan Coote and Mikey Lewis are around. George King is another who misses out for the Robins in the first game in charge for Danny Maguire.
Hull FC are without 12 players for this match which includes some heavy hitters including Jake Connor, Carlos Tuimavave, Ligi Sao, Jordan Johnstone and Kane Evans. Luke Gale returns though which will be some sort of boost.
Betting
It is hard to look past Hull KR for this match even though their form is absolutely terrible. I do think there is an element of form going out of the window at Magic Weekend because there is a final feel to the proceedings. It isn’t like Hull FC are going much better than their rivals anyway and when you consider that Hull FC are missing a huge chunk of their squad, and some big players too, then it is fairly easy to make the case for the Robins.
Sunday is going to be a day for the men who are light on their feet, for the playmakers to shine and I think Hull KR have more of those at their disposal than Hull FC do. Hull KR also have the running from dummy half ability of Matt Parcell who could soon put some tiredness into the legs of the Hull FC big men. This will be a competitive match as all Hull derbies are but KR go into it in much better shape personnel wise and I expect that to show on the eventual scoreboard.
Tips
Back Hull KR to beat Hull FC for a 3/10 stake at 1.91 with Coral
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