After a week off due to the Coral Challenge Cup, Huddersfield and Castleford face each other in round 17 of the Betfred Super League. Here’s everything you need to know…
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Castleford Tigers
The Tigers head into this week’s game on the back of a loss to league leaders St Helens at Anfield in the Magic Weekend.
Castleford put in a good performance but still lacked a certain edge against a Saints side that has been tearing teams apart in 2019.
Daryl Powell’s side sit 5th in the Super League table after a drop in form, and with the announcement of Mitch Clark’s move to Wigan confirmed the Tigers faithful are starting to worry that their play off hopes are fading.
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield have had a mixed season, but their chances of making the play offs are still a possibility having improved over the last month.
Their victory against Challenge Cup semi finalist’s Hull FC at the Magic Weekend proved they have the ability to pick up good results.
Facing the Castleford Tigers will be another tough test but both teams having a period off will make it a game to watch.
SQUAD NEWS
Castleford Tigers
Daryl Powell has made just one change to his squad with Nathan Massey returning from a hip injury that kept him out of the Magic Weekend clash with St Helens.
Castleford Tigers 19-man squad:
24. Cory Aston 35. Cheyse Blair 2. James Clare 21. Mitch Clark 33. Chris Clarkson 18. Matt Cook 5. Greg Eden 23. Will Maher 14. Nathan Massey 1. Peter Mata’utia 12. Mike McMeeken 9. Paul McShane 10. Grant Millington 13. Adam Milner 3. Greg Minikin 32. Jordan Rankin 34.Daniel Smith 6. Jake Trueman 8. Liam Watts
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Huddersfield Giants
The Giants remain unchanged from their Magic Weekend win over Hull FC, however during mid week it was announced that Alex Mellor would be joining Leeds Rhinos from next season.
Huddersfied 19-man squad:
1. Darnell McIntosh 2. Jermaine McGillvary 4. Jordan Turner 6. Lee Gaskell 8. Paul Clough 9.Kruise Leeming 10. Suaia Matagi 11. Aaron Murphy 12. Alex Mellor 13. Michael Lawrence 14.Adam O’Brien 17. Ukuma Ta’ai 19. Matty English 20. Jake Wardle 23. Oliver Russell 29. Sam Hewitt 31. Louis Senior 32. Innes Senior 35. Joe Wardle
HEAD TO HEAD
The last time these two sides met was back in round 10 of the Betfred Super League at the John Smith’s Stadium. Huddersfield came away 20-18 in a tense game with Alex Mellor grabbing a hat trick of tries.
Since then both sides have not hit form, with Huddersfield winning two of their last five games in both league and cup whilst Castleford have won just one against the Leeds Rhinos.
KEY BATTLE
James Clare (Castleford Tigers) v Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield Giants)
James Clare and Jermaine McGillvary are perhaps up there as the best wingers in Super League and they have had their fair share of tries this season.
Clare has often been criticised this season having made errors, but when he doesn’t he can be one of the best players on the pitch and has been a strong option for Daryl Powell going forward.
Having impressed on the international stage, McGillvary is starting to find his feet again this season, and going up against Clare will be tough to handle.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Friday 7th June
Venue: Mend A Hose Jungle
Kick-off: 7:45pm (GMT)
Referee: Ben Thaler
WHO WILL WIN?
Castleford by 8
