Hull FC to win all-Yorkshire clash and away victories for Saints and Rhinos

Again, Hull FC have also been lucky with injuries thus far this season and will most likely name an unchanged team to the one that dismantled the Catalans in Perpignan. The hosts are odds-on favourites to make it three wins from three with at 3/10.

Fetuli Talanoa touched down twice in France in Hull FC’s last outing, and expect him to score again anytime at 8/13. Denny Solomana has three tries in two games so far this season for the Tigers, so don’t look past him in the same market at 8/11.

Expect a tight encounter between these two Yorkshire sides, with one score likely to separate them at the full time whistle. For Hull FC to win by 1-5 points, back them at 11/2.

Hull KR v St Helens

• Super League
• Friday, February 26th
• Play starts: 20:00 GMT
• Craven Park, Hull
• Live on Sky Sports 2

Routine win for Saints

Hull KR will go into this game with the shock announcement that their boss Chris Carter has been sacked, despite only being at the helm for 18 months and leading the Robins to the Challenge Cup final last year. Assistant Willie Poching has been put temporarily in charge for Friday’s game against the Saints.

The dismissal will be a bitter blow for coach Carter, whose side were extremely unlucky not to beat Wakefield in their last outing. However, this could inspire the Robins to victory over the Saints, but they are out at 4/1 to do so.

St Helens on the other hand will be looking to put an embarrassing week behind them, after all Super League teams were brushed aside by their Australian rivals in the World Club Challenge series. The only good news for the Saints after last week’s encounter is that they have no new injury worries. So, expect them to make amends for their loss last Friday and come back with a spirited performance against the Robins. They are heavily odds-on at 1/6 to win.

There should be tries galore in this game, with both teams eager to prove their worth. The usually prolific winger Tommy Makinson is yet to score this season, but don’t be surprised if he bundles over at some point at 4/7.

For Hull KR, don’t look further than Ken Sio, who has been on fine form and will look to continue the trend versus the saints. He is at 6/5 to score anytime.

Catalans Dragons v Leeds Rhinos

• Super League
• Saturday, February 27th
• Play starts: 17:00 GMT
• Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan
• Live on Sky Sports 2

Rhinos to Avenge World Series loss

With the Rhinos and Dragons surprisingly sat in the bottom two of the league, with no wins for either sides this season from two games, a victory on Saturday could make or break both teams’ campaigns.

Leeds are looking to avenge their humiliating loss verses the North Queensland Cowboys, whilst the Catalans will want to prove their doubters wrong by beating the champions in front of their hostile home crowd.

After their resounding loss in the World Club Series, to make matters worse they have now lost prop Mitch Garbutt for two games after being sent off against the Cowboys for punching opponent James Tamou. This is another huge blow for Brian McDermott, who is already without seven first team players through injury. Leeds are great chances to win for the first time this season at 7/4.

The Catalans will have a slight boost going into the game on Saturday, after completing the signing of veteran Australian prop Willie Mason on a one-year deal. This signing will no doubt bolster the Dragons’ squad, while installing some much needed experience too. The Catalans will be pumped for this match, and are odds-on 4/9 favourites.

Expect a very tight game between these two out-of-form teams with only a score or two between them. There has been much hype about the young French winger Fouad Yaha, so don’t be surprised if he goes over anytime.

For the Rhinos, Ryan Hall will want to show everyone why he is one of the best wingers in the Super League. After only scoring in Leeds’ first game this season, he can do so again on Saturday.

Round 3 fixture list

Thursday
Hull FC v Castleford
Wigan v Salford

Friday
Hull KR v St Helens
Warrington v Wakefield

Saturday
Catalans v Leeds

Sunday
Huddersfield v Widnes

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Coral’s top tip: Hull FC are terrific 11/2 shouts to beat Castleford by 1-5 points.