After two epic Betfred Challenge Cup semi-finals last weekend the Betfred Super League returns with a battle between two clubs who will believe that they still have a slim hope of reaching the end-of-season top six.
Huddersfield Giants host Hull FC in the opening fixture of Round 20, which begins the annual Tackle the Tough Stuff campaign, so here is everything you need to know about Thursday's clash.
Huddersfield Giants v Hull FC
Where: John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield.
When: 8pm (BST)
TV: Sky Sports Arena
Huddersfield's last five: Won 34-6 v Wakefield (Rd 19), Won 22-14 @ Catalans (Rd 18), Lost 6-22 @ Wigan (Rd 17), Lost 0-54 @ Leeds (Rd 16), Lost 26-30 @ Warrington (Rd 15)
Hull FC's last five: Won 36-18 v Castleford (Rd 19), Won 16-6 @ Hull KR (Rd 18), Lost 18-28 v Catalans (Rd 17), Won 34-6 v St Helens (Rd 16), Lost 16-28 @ Leigh (Rd 15)
Betfred match winner odds (80 minutes): Huddersfield 4/7, Hull FC 6/4, draw 18/1
First try scorer odds: Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield) 6/1, Adam Swift (Hull FC) 7/1, Darnell McIntosh (Hull FC) 9/1, Sam Halsall (Huddersfield) 9/1, Jake Bibby (Huddersfield) 10/1
Previous meetings:
Round 10, 2023: Hull FC 20, Huddersfield Giants 14
Round 22, 2022: Huddersfield Giants 22, Hull FC 16
Round 6, 2022: Hull FC 14, Huddersfield Giants 6
Round 15, 2021: Huddersfield Giants 40, Hull FC 26
Round 11, 2021: Hull FC 17, Huddersfield Giants 10
Total Super League meetings: 63 (Huddersfield 25, Hull FC 37, one draw)
Huddersfield Giants have won back-to-back matches, prompting some questions as to whether they could yet make the top six after a horrific campaign over the first 17 rounds, but in reality they would need to win at least seven of their remaining eight fixtures to make the play-offs. Ian Watson will be keen for his side to keep up their recent form though having beaten league leaders Catalans Dragons and basement-dwelling Wakefield Trinity in recent weeks. The return of high-profile duo Tui Lolohea and Jake Connor to the starting lineup has coincided with improved performances.
Four points better off than the Giants, Hull FC have timed their own renaissance slightly better. They've now won three of their last four matches, including a morale-boosting local derby win over Challenge Cup finalists Hull Kingston Rovers. Tony Smith will be marking this game down as two points for the taking as the Airlie Birds look to put further pressure on the current top six.
Sportsman stat: With 112 points so far, Hull's Jake Clifford is just 25 away from charting the highest individual points haul for the club in the last four seasons since Marc Sneyd's 260 in the 2019 campaign.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject to Change
