Leeds Rhinos vs Hull FC Preview

The Lowdown

LEEDS RHINOS

• Leeds will be looking to capitalise on Hull's Wembley exploits by taking full advantage of their extended break and also avenge their Challenge Cup semi-final defeat.
• The second-placed Rhinos currently sit three points ahead of their opponents and a win here would all-but seal a home semi-final. However, a win for Hull would close the gap to just a point and leave the race for second place wide open.
• Brian McDermott makes just the single change to his 19-man squad with fullback Ashton Golding earning a recall having missed out in the previous game against St. Helens. Jordan Lilley is the man to make way.

Head Coach: Brian McDermott

Squad: Carl Ablett, Tom Briscoe, Rob Burrow, Adam Cuthbertson, Brett Delaney, Mitch Garbutt, Ashton Golding, Ryan Hall, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Jimmy Keinhorst, Danny McGuire, Joel Moon, Anthony Mullally, Matt Parcell, Brad Singleton, Liam Sutcliffe, Stevie Ward, Jack Walker, Kallum Watkins

Unavailable: Keith Galloway (Achilles), Josh Walters (Knee) Ash Handley (Knee), Brett Ferres (Knee), Jordan Lilley

HULL FC

• Hull return to Super League action having successfully retained the Challenge Cup with an 18-14 victory over Wigan Warriors at Wembley on Saturday.
• They face a short turnaround which could cause issues for the black and whites. They have to back up with just four full days' rest whilst the Rhinos enjoyed the weekend off.
• Lee Radford has chosen to rest a couple of his troops following the energy-sapping game at Wembley. Mark Minichiello and Liam Watts are given the week off whilst Josh Griffin picked up a slight knock against Wigan and won't be risked.

Head Coach: Lee Radford

Squad: Josh Bowden, Jake Connor, Jack Downs, Gareth Ellis, Brad Fash, Mahe Fonua, Chris Green, Danny Houghton, Albert Kelly, Sika Manu, Steve Michaels, Jamie Shaul, Marc Sneyd, Fetuli Talanoa, Scott Taylor, Jordan Thompson, Carlos Tuimavave, Jansin Turgut, Danny Washbrook

Unavailable: Josh Griffin (Calf), Mark Minichiello (Rested), Liam Watts (Rested), Masi Matongo

• The middle zone for both of these sides provides the stingiest defence in Super League out of any zone, conceding just five tries apiece.
• Leeds have conceded the same number of tries on both wings (28).
• Hull spread their tries across the field, with their lowest scoring zone coming through the middle (15) and their highest just eight higher on the right wing (23).
• With 26% of their tries coming in the left-centre zone, Leeds have the highest percentage in that zone out of any side in Super League.

Analysis - what to expect
In a repeat of the Challenge Cup semi-final, second-placed Leeds face third-placed Hull in a game that could go a long way to defining who claims the second home semi-final come the end of the Super 8s. Leeds go into the game having had the week off with Hull given little time to back up following their win at Wembley on Saturday. It's a daunting task facing Hull, having lost on their last nine visits to Headingley in Super League. On top of that, as highlighted in our Challenge Cup Final preview, the winners of that game have only won in their following fixture 33.33% of the time since 2005. The smart money here would be on Leeds but with Hull needing a win, could they finally get their Headingley monkey off their back?