SL Preview: Huddersfield v Hull

James Gordon

Hull will look to build on last weekend’s 52-0 win over Castleford against Super League leaders Huddersfield on Saturday night.

Camera-shy Hull have lost three times when playing in televised matches this season, but have claimed at least a point in their other three games – wins over Bradford and the Tigers, plus a draw at St Helens.

They are yet to win away from home this season, and are missing Danny Tickle through suspension, and Kirk Yeaman and Aaron Heremaia through injury.

Jason Crookes, Chris Green and Ben Crooks all return to Peter Gentle’s squad.

Early pace-setters Huddersfield were impressive in a 32-8 win at champions Leeds last week, and welcome back Jermaine McGillvary.

They have lost Jason Chan through injury, with Jacob Fairbank and Jamie Cording in contention to replace him in the line-up.

Huddersfield 19-man squad: Grix, Cudjoe, Wardle, McGillvary, Brough, Robinson, Crabtree, Lunt, Kopczak, Faiumu, Ferres, Patrick, Ta’ai, Murphy, Cording, Fairbank, Ferguson, Dawson, Fielden.

Hull 19-man squad: Arundel, Bowden, Briscoe, Crookes, Crooks, Galea, Green, Holdsworth, Horne, Houghton, Johnson, Lineham, Lynch, McDonnell, O’Meley, Pitts, Watts, Westerman, Whiting.

Prediction: It’s time Hull delivered under the spotlight, but Brough and his Giants will be too strong – home win.

Stats:

Hull FC‘s Tom Briscoe has scored tries in his sides’ last three meetings with Huddersfield as follows: 2-1-2.

Last 10 meetings:

Hull FC 46, Huddersfield 10 (SLEPO, 16/9/12)
Hull FC 28, Huddersfield 24 (SLR19, 1/7/12)
Hull FC 16, Huddersfield 42 (CCR4, 15/4/12)
Huddersfield 22, Hull FC 4 (SLR11, 9/4/12)
Hull FC 20, Huddersfield 34 (SLR15, 29/5/11)
Huddersfield 20, Hull FC 10 (SLR3, 27/2/11)
Huddersfield 32, Hull FC 18 (SLR18, 20/6/10)
Hull FC 14, Huddersfield 6 (SLR2, 12/2/10)
Hull FC 0, Huddersfield 24 (SLR23, 31/7/09)
Huddersfield 20, Hull FC 24 (SLR4, 6/3/09)

Super League summary:

Huddersfield won 11
Hull FC won 24 (includes win in 2007 and 2012 play-offs)
1 draw
Huddersfield highest score: 34-20 (A, 2011) (Widest margin: 24-0, A, 2009)
Hull FC highest score: 46-10 (H, 2012 EPO) (also widest margin)