Betfred Super League: Under-Pressure Watson Take Giants To Warrington

Huddersfield are in desperate need of a win
09:00, 10 Jun 2023

The Betfred Super League season's biggest underachievers so far, Huddersfield Giants, head to second-placed Warrington Wolves on Saturday knowing that anything less than a win will only serve to pile the pressure on head coach Ian Watson.

That's one of two crucial fixtures in the top flight, as Catalans Dragons look to defend their position at the summit against slumping Hull Kingston Rovers. Here is everything you need to know about Saturday's double-header.

Warrington Wolves v Huddersfield Giants

Where: Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington.

When: 5pm (BST)

TV: Sky Sports Arena

Warrington's last five: Lost 18-30 v Hull FC (Rd 14), Lost 12-30 @ Leigh (Rd 13), Won 21-14 v Hull KR (Rd 12), Won 32-18 v Wakefield (Rd 11), Lost 6-28 @ St Helens (Rd 10)

Huddersfield's last five: Lost 6-48 v St Helens (Rd 14), Won 20-4 v Castleford (Rd 13), Lost 4-30 v Leigh (Rd 12), Lost 0-28 @ Hull KR (Rd 11), Lost 14-20 @ Hull FC (Rd 10)

Betfred match winner odds (80 minutes): Warrington 4/11, Huddersfield 23/10, draw 18/1

First try scorer odds: Matty Ashton (Warrington) 6/1, Matt Dufty (Warrington) 8/1, Connor Wrench (Warrington) 9/1, Josh Thewlis (Warrington) 9/1, Matty Russell (Warrington) 9/1

Milestones:

There's a few scoring milestones on the horizon for these two sides.

With another 18 points, Stefan Ratchford will reach 1,500 in Super League, while Ben Currie is two tries away from 100 in his senior career. For the Giants, Jermaine McGillvary needs three tries for 250 across a career in which he has represented Huddersfield, Barrow Raiders, Batley Bulldogs, England and the Combined Nations All Stars.

WARRINGTON WERE ROUND 2 WINNERS AGAINST HUDDERSFIELD
WARRINGTON WERE ROUND 2 WINNERS AGAINST HUDDERSFIELD

Previous meetings:

Round 2, 2023: Huddersfield Giants 16, Warrington Wolves 26

Round 26, 2022: Huddersfield Giants 38, Warrington Wolves 36

Round 21, 2022: Huddersfield Giants 32, Warrington Wolves 22

Round 10, 2022: Warrington Wolves 32, Huddersfield Giants 10

Round 21, 2021: Huddersfield Giants 6, Warrington Wolves 26

Total Super League meetings: 61 (Warrington 38, Huddersfield 22, one draw)

Having thrown away a half-time lead after having had a mountain of possession in the first 40 minutes, Warrington have a lot to prove following their 30-18 Magic Weekend loss to Hull FC. Daryl Powell's side need to get their assault on the League Leaders' Shield back on track, and there will be an expectation that they should be taking two points against a struggling Huddersfield side. The Wolves have been in the news this week, though, with Josh McGuire being banned for 12 games, which will see him miss most of the remainder of his side's season.

The Giants are nothing short of desperate at the moment. They have five wins from 13, only two of them coming again sides in the top 10, and their style of play has turned off viewers in 2023. Most recently they were battered 48-6 by St Helens in Newcastle in a weak submission of a performance. Huddersfield need wins right now, and they need a far better attitude out of their players following on from that abysmal showing.

Sportsman stat: Warrington at home appeared on Huddersfield's fixture list three times in eight matches between Round 21 of 2022 and Round 2 this season, with the postponement of the Giants' trip to St Helens narrowing the schedule after a couple of late meetings at the John Smith's in '22.

Catalans Dragons v Hull Kingston Rovers

Where: Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan.

When: 6pm (BST), 7pm (local)

TV: No live screening

Catalans' last five: Won 46-22 v Wigan (Rd 14), Won 36-6 v Wakefield (Rd 13), Won 46-22 @ Castleford (Rd 12), Won 24-12 v St Helens (Rd 11), Lost 14-16 @ Salford (Rd 10)

Hull KR's last five: Lost 16-26 v Salford (Rd 14), Lost 22-26 v Wigan (Rd 13), Lost 14-21 @ Warrington (Rd 12), Won 28-0 v Huddersfield (Rd 11), Won 12-7 @ Castleford (Rd 10)

Betfred match winner odds (80 minutes): Catalans 1/4, Hull KR 16/5, draw 20/1

First try scorer odds: Tom Johnstone (Catalans) 6/1, Fouad Yaha (Catalans) 7/1, Matt Ikuvalu (Catalans) 11/1, Ryan Hall (Hull KR) 11/1, Arthur Romano (Catalans) 12/1

Milestones:

Elliot Minchella is in line to make his 200th career appearance, and it will also be his 60th for Hull KR, taking him past his previous best at a single club, 59 with Bradford Bulls.

With 10 more points, Sam Tomkins will make it to 1,500 in his career, while Tom Johnstone is two tries away from 100 in Super League.

CATALANS CAME OUT ON TOP WHEN ROVERS LAST VISITED
CATALANS CAME OUT ON TOP WHEN ROVERS LAST VISITED

Previous meetings:

Round 5, 2023: Catalans Dragons 26, Hull Kingston Rovers 12

Round 13, 2022: Hull Kingston Rovers 8, Catalans Dragons 20

Round 6, 2022: Catalans Dragons 18, Hull Kingston Rovers 10

Semi-Final, 2021: Catalans Dragons 28, Hull Kingston Rovers 10

Round 17, 2021: Hull Kingston Rovers 16, Catalans Dragons 23

Total Super League meetings: 33 (Catalans 23, Hull KR 10, no draws)

With players starting to return from injury, Catalans are beginning to look like the real deal again. Last week's trouncing of Wigan at Magic Weekend - they were 46-8 up until a few late consolation tries - has returned them to the top of the table put them in a good position to battle for a second League Leaders' Shield following on from their 2021 trophy success. Steve McNamara welcomes back Adam Keighran and Manu Ma'u for the Robins' second visit of the season to Perpignan.

Following a third successive league defeat when going down 26-16 to Salford in Newcastle, Rovers had a mixed week off the field with news of long-term absences for Sauaso Sue and James Batchelor being offset by the announcement of a three-year contract extension for inspirational half-back Jordan Abdull. Having seen his side fall out of the top six for the first time in three months, Willie Peters will be delighted to have Abdull back in contention after five weeks out with a quad injury.

Sportsman stat: Rovers won four of the first five Super League meetings between these two sides but Catalans have come out on top in all but six of the 28 clashes since then.

BETFRED'S RUGBY LEAGUE BETTING HUB*

*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject to Change

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