Lee Radford’s Hull FC look to bounce back after their derby day defeat, as they host table topping St Helens.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Hull FC
Hull FC ended a run of straight four straight wins with a lacklustre away performance at cross city rivals, Hull KR. The 18-10 defeat will be remember the most due to Joe Westerman’s medical antics. The last time Hull lost at home was to the Catalans Dragons on May 3rd.ย Hull come into the fixture in third position.
St Helens
Justin Holbrook’s side have been sensational this season with only two defeats from their 20 Super League matches. Both of their defeats came away from home at Catalans and London. The Saints beat second place Warrington last week, which brings them into the match off the back of three victories.
SQUAD NEWS
Hull FC
Coach Lee Radford makes one side to his squad from last weekend. Dean Hadley is replaced by veteran Gareth Ellis.
Albert Kelly is set to feature and is named in the squad again after not appearing against his former club.
Hull FC squad:ย Shaul, Faraimo, Tuimavave, Griffin, Kelly, Sneyd, Taylor, Houghton, Bowden, Minichello, Westerman, Connor, Green, Fash, Manu, Paea, Naulago, Ellis, Savelio
St Helens
Saints also make only one change, Aaron Smith misses out after being stretchered off last Friday. Hull’s new signing for 2020, Adam Swift is the player to replace him.
St Helens squad:ย Lomax, Makinson, Naiqama, Percival, Grace, Fages, Walmsley, Thompson, Paulo, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Knowles, Amor, Peyroux, Swift, Lees, Ashworth, Bentley, Coote, Costello
HEAD TO HEAD
The two sides have met only once so far, with that meeting being at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Easter Monday. The Black and Whites raced into a 10 nil lead inside the opening ten minutes. However, this was short lived as the Saints put 62 past Hull meanwhile Radford’s side could only add another six points to their first ten minute score. Kevin Naiqama crossed four times in the eleven try rout.
Saints have the upper hand in recent head to heads. The Reds have won seven of their last eight meetings with the East Yorkshire club. The last time Hull got the victory over the Merseyside club was back in August 2017 in an 8-6 away win at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
KEY BATTLE
Marc Sneyd vs Jonny Lomax
This battle sees two of Super League’s top assisters. Marc Sneyd currently sits second with 19, meanwhile Lomax has 18. Sneyd was on the losing side last week, however his kick over the Hull KR defence for the Bureta Faraimo try summed up how he plays. Inside an opposition twenty, Sneyd is arguably one of the best players in the league in that area. When Hull are in an attacking mood, Sneyd is one of the pivotal players in this. He also has two forty twenties this year and can help to relieving pressure.
Lomax is one of many key players for the Saints and it is no wonder how well they are doing. With 18 assists Lomax isn’t the even top in his own team, with Lochlan Coote on 19. In recent years he has become a very versatile player with the majority of his career at full-back, but in his new role he is excelling. He has also scored twelve tries so far.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Friday July 5th
Venue: KCOM Stadium
Kick-off: 7:45 PM
Referee: Chris Kendall
WHO WILL WIN?
Hull maybe able to run Saints close for a while, however Justin Holbrook’s side have proved their too strong and I expect much of the same again. It will be a close scoreline, but in favour of the visitors.
