HULL DERBY PREDICTIONS AS HULL KR TIPPED TO WIN AND HULL FC LOOK FOR HISTORY REPEAT

Hull FC and Hull KR meet for the 245th time on Good Friday. First clashing in 1899, the Hull derby has been fiercely contested ever since, and while the current fortunes of both sides may differ, this Easter meet shouldn't go away from the script.

On that front, Hull have been completely and utterly written off, with Super League title sponsor Betfred having the Robins as overwhelming 1/20 favourites, at the time of writing, while the Airlie Birds are priced at 9/1, a staggering figure in a two-horse race.

And as the two old foes prepare for battle again, we asked our rugby league team to give their predictions ahead of the game.

James Smailes - Head of SportIn form, reasonably healthy, full of confidence, and with supporters revelling in a positive start to the season, Hull KR are the polar opposite to Hull FC right now. The Black and Whites are in a really tough position, and while it may not have felt as bad as it does right now, Hull have been here before.

It was a Good Friday comeback victory at Craven Park that saved Lee Radford’s job and started a run that would ultimately lead to Wembley glory. That’s not to suggest a similar turnaround of form this Good Friday can lead to anything like a similar result, it wouldn’t. But a win would breathe life and some enthusiasm back into a club struggling for both.

The bookies will tell you FC have no chance and most fans would agree. In truth, it’s only a small chance, but a chance nonetheless, and don’t be shocked if we see an upset. I can’t see that happening, but I’d not be surprised if it did.

For their part, KR need to not get caught up in the drama surrounding their rivals and focus on repeating their form of the past few weeks. Do that, and they’ll have enough to win, probably comfortably. Prediction: Rovers by 10.

Matt Shaw - Rugby League Live Editor

At the risk of having egg on my face, it's a case of how many Hull KR win by, rather than if they win, isn't it? Both teams have had six outings so far and I think Rovers' worst performance of the season would still be enough to beat the Black and Whites' best outing so far. Tony Smith's side have to get better, they can't possibly get worse, and you have to think the occasion will see them find some of what has been missing in recent weeks.

But I just can't see how they win this game. It would take drastic improvement and a drastic fall-off from the Robins after the way they played against Salford last week. I don't think it will be a demolition but I do envisage a resounding victory for the club in the east side of the city. Prediction: Rovers by 28.

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Dan Tomlinson - Hull Daily MailIt's hard to remember a derby, at least in the Super League era, where one team was written off as much as Hull FC. It's for good reason as well. The Airlie Birds have been woeful in their last two outings, leaking 104 points, while the Robins have picked themselves up after a minor wobble. Willie Peters' side are firmly in the driving seat here, and they'll be gunning for a fifth win in seven derby clashes. It's hard to see anything other than a comprehensive Rovers win, but you all know the clichés: form goes out the window, anything can happen, etc, etc.

For Hull to taste victory, they need more than clichés. They need an effort-and-desire-based performance full of passion, pride, grit, and determination. That's what derby games are about and that's what Hull must base their game on. If they don't, then it's hard to see recent results deterring too much. Tony Smith's players have to pick themselves up and get some belief into their system. Few will back them for a result here, but so long as they believe internally, then that's fine. However, you'll have to forgive me for going for a more pessimistic outcome. Prediction: Rovers by 20.

2024-03-28T15:12:48Z dg43tfdfdgfd