Preview: Hull FC vs Castleford Tigers – prediction, team news, lineups

Hull FC will be looking to end their near one-year wait for a home Super League victory when they welcome Castleford Tigers to the MKM Stadium this Friday night.

In spite of their home form, the Black and Whites are enjoying a good season and are looking to position themselves as potential playoff contenders, but the same cannot be said about the Tigers, who are in the midst of yet another underwhelming campaign.

Match preview

It was a painful weekend for Hull FC fans as they not only watched their staunch rivals Hull KR win the Challenge Cup but also celebrate it with an open top bus in the city.

While the Robins are levels above the Black and Whites this season, John Cartwright’s men will certainly take a lot of encouragement from his team’s current trajectory.

After spending the entirety of the previous campaign battling against relegation, Hull FC are back in the playoff mix after winning seven of their 13 outings this season.

Cartwright’s men are in the midst of a two-match winning run having picked up a 26-12 win away at Leigh Leopards before whitewashing Catalans Dragons 34-0 away in France.

Hull are now looking to win three straight games for the first time since March, and they will certainly fancy their chances against a poor Castleford Tigers team.

Speaking of the West Yorkshire side, Danny McGuire’s men come into this game on the back of successive defeats to Leeds Rhinos and the Warrington Wolves.

The Tigers have only secured three wins this whole season, with two of them coming against a financially destitute Salford Red Devils side.

There was some positive news at the Jungle in recent weeks with the experienced Chris Chester taking over the Director of Rugby position, and one of his first acts was getting Alex Mellor to sign a contract extension which will keep the influential second-rower at the club until 2027.

Despite the positive updates off the field, supporters would undoubtedly like a positive result on the field when their side travels to Hull.

The Tigers have done rather well in recent meetings against the Black and Whites, winning three of their previous four encounters.

However, with Cartwright’s men coming into Friday’s game on the back of two confidence boosting victories, there is no question who the favourites will be come kickoff.

Hull FC form: WWLLL

Castleford Tigers form: LLWLW

Team News

Hull FC have been forced into making one change as they target their first home Super League win in 11 months.

Will Pryce will miss Friday’s match with a hamstring injury, joining Ligi Sao, Jed Cartwright, John Asiata and Jordan Lane on the absentee list.

Will Gardiner will replace Pryce in the squad as the 24-year-old looks to make his third appearance for the club this season.

Castleford, meanwhile, are without Tex Hoy, who is out with a suspected hamstring injury; Zac Cini is expected to take his spot at full-back.

Judah Rimbu was also omitted from the squad, with the Kumul reportedly heading for the exit door as part of the club’s mid-season shake up.

Joshua Hodson has already departed, joining the Sheffield Eagles on a two-week loan.

Hull FC predicted lineup: Rapana, Barron, Briscoe, Litten, Martin, Cust, Sezer, Ese’Ese, Bourouh, Knight, Hardaker, Chamberlain, Aydin; Balmforth, Eseh, Ashworth, Laidlaw

Castleford predicted lineup: Cini, I Senior, Wood, Tate, L Senior, Asi, Milnes, Amone, Horne, Singo, Lawler, Mellor, Hill; Atkin, Muzzy, Okoro, Hall

We say: Hull FC 20-12 Castleford Tigers

Hull FC have not won a home game in almost a year, but we are expecting that run to end when a poor Castleford Tigers team show up at the MKM Stadium.

While Hull are building confidence, the Tigers are staring down the barrel of yet another poor season. With that in mind, we are backing the hosts to win.

Written by
Barney Corkhill

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