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Betfred Super League: Previewing Hull FC v St Helens
Just five days on from Josh Griffin’s mindless sending-off against St Helens in the Betfred Challenge Cup quarter-finals, the 33-year-old’s Hull FC team-mates are out looking for revenge on the Betfred Super League champions as they return to league play on Thursday night.
Here is everything you need to know about the opening game of Round 16.
Hull FC v St Helens
Where: MKM Stadium, Hull.
When: 8pm (BST)
TV: Sky Sports Arena
Hull FC’s last five: Lost 16-28 @ Leigh (Rd 15), Won 30-18 v Warrington (Rd 14), Lost 22-29 @ Salford (Rd 13), Won 26-6 @ Wakefield (Rd 12), Won 14-10 v Wigan (Rd 11)
St Helens’ last five: Won 34-16 v Wigan (Rd 15), Won 48-6 v Huddersfield (Rd 14), Won 13-12 @ Leeds (Rd 13), Won 26-12 v Salford (Rd 12), Lost 12-24 @ Catalans (Rd 11)
Betfred match winner odds (80 minutes): Hull FC 11/4, St Helens 2/7, draw 20/1
First try scorer odds: Tee Ritson (St Helens) 6/1, Jon Bennison (St Helens) 6/1, Adam Swift (Hull FC) 9/1, Jack Welsby (St Helens) 9/1, Will Hopoate (St Helens) 10/1
Milestones:
Adam Swift is set to make his 200th career appearance, with 130 coming for them against Thursday’s opponents. Team-mate Brad Fash is one game away from 150 for Hull, almost eight years on from his debut.
Hull’s Joe Cator could also make his 100th career appearance, having made a combined 60 so far for the Airlie Birds and their city rivals, Hull Kingston Rovers. Meanwhile, Saints’ Konrad Hurrell’s next try will be his 100th, having scored two tries for Tonga, 55 in the NRL and currently 42 in the Super League with Leeds Rhinos and the Red Vee.
HULL ARE WITHOUT GRIFFIN FOR THE NEXT SEVEN MATCHES
Previous meetings:
Round 5, 2023: St Helens 20, Hull FC 12
Round 23, 2022: Hull FC 6, St Helens 60
Round 12, 2022: St Helens 24, Hull FC 10
Round 2, 2022: Hull FC 6, St Helens 38
Round 17, 2021: Hull FC 10, St Helens 42
Total Super League meetings: 62 (Hull FC 17, St Helens 42, three draws)
Hull FC spent the first half of this week sweating on the result of Josh Griffin’s disciplinary hearing following that red card in the cup last Saturday, and having learned of his seven-match ban they will be hoping to move on from the episode which saw the experienced centre abuse a match official at the MKM Stadium. Tony Smith is looking to steer his side back on course, with a four-game win streak having fallen away for a spell of one victory in four since losing at Salford Red Devils in late May.
Saints are on a roll, though, following a change in fortunes that Smith called “inevitable” before the world champions’ 32-18 win in Hull last week. Paul Wellens has rescued his side from a precarious position to leave them well placed in fifth, four points from the top with a game in hand, as well as leading them to the Challenge Cup semi-finals. Expect Lewis Dodd and Jack Welsby to play key roles once more on Thursday.
Sportsman stat: St Helens have won the last 16 meetings with Hull in all competitions, scoring 562 points to 212 in that time with an average result of 35-13.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject to Change
