Date: Friday 7th July 2017
Kick Off: 20:00
Venue: Totally Wicked Stadium St Helens)
Check Odds
Radio: Live on BBC Local Radio and via the BBC Website
St Helens v Hull FC
The last time these 2 teams met, we were given one of the, if not the biggest shock of the season as Saints came away from the Magic Weekend with a 0-45 win over the Airlie Birds and since then they have improved greatly.
Hull FC of course have been much better than that for the majority of the season and they come into this one with a point to prove.
Hull FC are down to 4th in the league table but such is the competitive nature of the Super League this season, they are just 1 point behind Salford in 2nd.
St Helens on the over hand are down in 6th spot but they can wrap up safety in the top 8 with a win in this one.
Form
Despite improved performances, Saints form has literally been up in down recently with their last 5 matches reading LWLWL, so for lover of patterns they should be in for a win in this one. Despite those 3 losses, they have been competitive in all of them with their 8-point loss to the Giants been the widest gap. At home, they are undefeated in their last 7 with 6 wins and 1 draw.
The Airlie Birds have been quite streaky over the past few months.
After ending a 3 match losing run with a 3 match winning run, they lost once again last time out but it was by just 2 points to Castleford in what was a good performance by Hull.
Team News
Saints are without their influential half back Matty Smith after he picked up a serious eye injury in the opening minutes at Castleford. 20-year-old Danny Richardson gets the call up to replace Smith.
Matty Lees replaces the suspended Jon Wilkin and on a positive, Mark Percival returns with Jack Ashworth dropping.
Hull FC name the same squad as last week with Carlos Tuimavave fit enough to play after a toe injury.
Prediction
There will be a lot of pressure on Theo Fages to take control of the match for Saints with Matty Smith missing but he is more a support type half rather than the controlling half so that could prove to be a weakness for the home side despite the talent of the French star.
Hull FC has no such worries and have 2 of the best halves in the league and that should allow them to control the game and that should be enough for the Black and Whites to pick up the win.
Our Prediction: Hull FC by 10
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Tagged with: Hull FC • St Helens