In-form Huddersfield host out-of-form Hull FC. Here’s everything you need to know…
SQUAD NEWS
Huddersfield Giants
The Giants made it ten league wins in the last 11 games with a 16-12 victory away at league leaders St Helens last Friday, and coach Simon Woolford has made two changes to his squad.
Jake Mamo drops back out having only made one appearance since May, while Matty English also comes out with Jake Wardle and Daniel Smith returning.
Kruise Leeming is also available for selection again after dropping out late last week, although his replacement Colton Roche impressed enough to be kept in, as did new signing Suaia Matagi who is set to make his home debut.
Huddersfield 19-man squad: McGillvary, Cudjoe, Turner, Gaskell, Brough, Leeming, Hinchcliffe, Ferguson, Rankin, Roberts, Ta’ai, Clough, Smith, O’Brien, Mellor, McIntosh, Roche, Wardle, Matagi.
Hull FC
Lee Radford’s side have lost their last five matches, but the Hull FC coach makes just one change to his squad following last Friday’s 31-13 home defeat to Wakefield Trinity.
Jack Downs is the man to drop out, but Brad Fash is expected to be available despite sustaining a head knock last week.
Neither Dean Hadley nor Mark Minichiello appeared in that game but could feature this time, with Hadley recovering from an ankle injury.
Hull FC 19-man squad: Shaul, Faraimo, Tuimavave, Griffin, Talanoa, Sneyd, Taylor, Houghton, Hadley, Minichiello, Green, Abdull, Washbrook, Fash, Manu, Paea, Lane, Harris, Bienek.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
This is the third meeting between the two sides this season, with the hosts coming out on top on both occasions.
Hull FC ran out comfortable 38-12 winners at the KCOM Stadium on the opening weekend of the season, but the turnaround of form was reflected in the reverse fixture in July when Huddersfield won 29-18.
KEY BATTLE – Suaia Matagi vs Scott Taylor
This is the chance for new signing Suaia Matagi to show what he can do in front of his new fans for the first time, as he makes his home debut following a decent start at St Helens last week.
If he can get the Giants on the front foot they will be well on their way to victory, against an out-of-form side that needs one of their experienced heads to have an impact in the middle of the park.
Scott Taylor is a crucial player at his best but has had an up-and-down season, and if he can regain the form that has made him one of the most respected props in Super League then Hull have a chance of getting out of their rut.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Friday 17 August
Venue: John Smith’s Stadium
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Referee: Robert Hicks
POLL
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