The Black and Whites have the tough job of welcoming the Champions to town this week for the second time this season.
Though the Champions may not appear as daunting as usual with some poorer performances over the last few weeks than we’ve come to expect and injuries still running rampant in their squad.
Could this open the door for Hull to spring a shock and give their play-off hopes a boost?
Team News
Hull FC have recalled Ben McNamara, Denive Balmforth and Davy Litten to their squad as Jacob Hookem and Jack Brown – who has copped a shoulder injury – drop out. The other man to drop out of last week’s squad is of course St Helens’ Josh Simm.
Simm instead is included in the St Helens squad this week after his loan was ended prematurely by the Champions. He joins the returning Will Hopoate, Sione Mata’utia and Agnatius Paasi in the Champions’ 21-man squad. Curtis Sironen misses out with a ban as Dan Hill is absent with a shoulder injury.
Match Preview – Key Battles:
Will Smith vs Jack Welsby: A talented individual like Will Smith was always going to take well to Super League and his skillset will test the Saints. But will he have the tools to outfox the always brilliant Jack Welsby this week?
Brad Fash vs Morgan Knowles: Brad Fash deserves plenty of credit for the role he’s played at Hull this season but this week he’ll test himself against the best in Saints’ loose-forward Morgan Knowles who’ll look to punch holes through the Black and Whites.
Where the game will be won and lost:
Saints have recently lost that cutting edge which made them the best team in the league by far. So, if Hull can get into the arm wrestle – which is still easier said than done against the Champions – they’ll give themselves a chance otherwise the Saints – who are so accustomed to winning they’ve still triumphed in two of the last three games despite poor performances – will continue to head towards the League Leaders’ Shield.
Score Prediction: Hull FC 10-18 St Helens
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