Huddersfield Giants host Castleford Tigers on Sunday afternoon, in a must-win game for both sides. The Giants sit just two points ahead of bottom side London Broncos whilst the Tigers are outside of the play-off places on points difference. Neither team can afford to lose. Here’s everything you need to know.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Huddersfield Giants
The Giants are currently on a two-game losing streak having been beaten 32-12 by the in-form Salford Red Devils last weekend, after conceding a flurry of late tries. They also lost 44-0 at home to Leeds Rhinos the week previously and need to find some form again heading into the final few weeks of the season. They did pick up a pair of crucial wins away to Hull KR and Salford in July but have lost five of their last six games at the John Smith’s Stadium. They currently sit in 10th place in the table and could move as high as eighth with a win whilst a defeat could leave them joint bottom.
Castleford Tigers
The Tigers have picked up their form again recently, having won three of their last four Super League matches. That includes last week’s 20-6 success at home to London as well as an impressive home win against Warrington Wolves. However, Cas have lacked consistency in 2019 and need to start putting a good run of form together if they are to have any chance of reaching the Grand Final at Old Trafford in October. Currently sitting in sixth place, victory could move them as high as fourth, but defeat would deal a massive blow to their play-off chances with just four fixtures of the season remaining.
SQUAD NEWS
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield coach Simon Woolford has made two changes to the side after last week’s defeat against Salford.
Matty English misses out through concussion protocol with Joe Wardle also dropping out.
The duo are replaced by Sam Hewitt and Adam Walne, respectively, in the 19-man squad.
Huddersfield’s 19-man squad:ย McIntosh, McGillvary, Gaskell, Leeming, Matagi, Mellor, Lawrence, O’Brien, Roberts, Ta’ai, Wardle, Russell, Holmes, Ikahihifo, Walne, Hewitt, L. Senior, I. Senior, Wilson.
Castleford Tigers
Coach Daryl Powell has made a single change from the side that saw off London last time out.
Greg Minikin comes back into the squad, replacing Chris Clarkson who drops out.
Castleford’s 19-man squad:ย Aston, Blair, Clare, Egodo, Ellis, Holmes, Maher, Massey, Mata’utia, McMeeken, McShane, Millington, Milner, Minikin, O’Neill, Rankin, Sene-Lefao, Smith, Trueman.
HEAD TO HEAD
Castleford have won eight of the previous 10 meetings between the two sides, but the two teams have played out a pair of close encounters this season. Huddersfield claimed a 20-18 win back in April thanks to a hat-trick from Alex Mellor before the Tigers claimed a golden-point 27-26 victory in June courtesy of a Peter Mata’utia drop goal despite the Giants Lee Gaskell crossing for a hat-trick of tries.
KEY BATTLE
Darnell McIntosh (Huddersfield) v Peter Mata’utia (Castleford)
These two players played crucial roles in their side’s respective victories against each other in Super League this season.
Darnell McIntosh’s accuracy from the kicking tee, despite a lack of goal kicking experience, proved to be the difference in the meeting at the John Smith’s Stadium back in April with his four goals enough to hand the Giants a two-point victory against the Tigers. He then provided a try-assist in their second meeting of the season, albeit in a losing cause. The full-back has enjoyed an excellent 2019 campaign with 12 tries and 11 assists to his name and needs another stellar performance on Sunday to steer his side clear of danger.
Peter Mata-utia’s goal-kicking has also come in handy, having kicked a golden-point winner in their meeting back in June, as well as contributing a further seven goals. He impressed with the boot in the side’s first meeting as well, with his five goals in that fixture proving in vain. He may only have scored three tries in 2019, but he has provided 15 assists, the 11th highest total of any player in Super League this season. Will he be able to guide his team to victory on Sunday?
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Sunday 18th August
Venue: John Smith’s Stadium
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Referee: James Child
WHO WILL WIN?
The form book points to a Castleford win but with the two sides playing out two extremely close game’s already this season, along with the Tigers inconistency in 2019, this should be another close encounter. However, Cas should have enough quality to claim back-to-back wins in the league but I wouldn’t be surpised if the Giants take the two points in what is a must-win game given their tricky run-in. Castleford to win by four points.
