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2018 Super League – Castleford Tigers vs Hull FC Preview
AT A GLANCE
When? Saturday 24th February, 15:15
Where? The Mend-A-Hose Stadium
What channel is it on? Sky Sports Arena
Where can I stream the match? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via Sky Go
Are tickets still available? https://tigers.mysportstickets...
THE STATISTICS
THE LOWDOWN
CASTLEFORD TIGERS
Head Coach: Daryl Powell
Squad: Eden, Ellis, Foster, Gale, Green, Hitchcox, Holmes, Massey, McMeeken, McShane, Millington, Milner, Minikin, Moors, Roberts, Sene-Lefao, Shenton, Wardle, Webster
Unavailable:
- Castleford overcame their opening-game hammering at St Helens by narrowly defeating Widnes Vikings 13-12 in their second league encounter.
- Head coach Daryl Powell, who this week turned down the chance to work with the England coaching set-up, has a fully fit squad at his disposal with Joe Wardle set for his debut.
- Castleford were strong at home last season and also have a good record against their opponents with them recording five home wins from the last seven Super League meetings.
HULL FC
Head Coach: Lee Radford
Squad: Abdull, Bowden, Connor, Faraimo, Fash, Green, Griffin, Hadley, Kelly, Manu, Matongo, Minichiello, Paea, Shaul, Sneyd, Talanoa, Tuimavave, Washbrook, Watts
Unavailable: Danny Houghton, Scott Taylor
- Hull were unable to win either of their games on their mini tour of Australia but put up a battling performance against St George last week which could be the springboard to help them get back to winning ways here.
- Lee Radford lost both his captain and vice-captain on the tour with Danny Houghton suffering a calf injury and Scott Taylor requiring appendix surgery. Chris Green and Carlos Tuimavave are named in the 19-man squad having overcome injuries.
- Hull have lost six of their last eight Super League games and face an uphill task to improve that record against a team that have had the better of them in recent times on home soil.
KEY STATS
- Castleford Tigers have won 5 of the last 7 home Super League meetings between the two sides
- Hull FC have lost 6 of their last 8 away Super League matches
- There has been a total of 308 points scored in the last 6 meetings between the two sides in all competitions at an average of 51.3 per game
- There has been a total of 53 tries scored in the last 6 meetings between the two sides in all competitions at an average of 8.8 per game
- Castleford Tigers' Luke Gale has scored 4 tries in his last 3 home Super League meetings between the two sides
- The winning margin has been no more than 6 points in 6 of Castleford Tigers' last 7 home Super League meetings between the two sides
THE PREDICTION
Castleford and Hull renew the rivalry that developed last season with the pair meeting in a Saturday afternoon encounter in front of the Sky cameras. The Tigers bounced back from their mauling against St Helens with a one-point win over Widnes last time out whilst the Black and Whites lost to Wigan in their encounter in Australia. Cas’ home form combined with the extra week off might be too much for Hull in what is likely to be a close contest.
