Super League: Hull FC head to south of France looking for Catalans scalp

Lee Radford’s side are 2/1 with Coral to beat Catalans in Perpignan and have reason to be confident after already recording a 33-22 victory over them this season already, and losing just once in five games.

However, if the Airlie Birds are to win, they will have to do so without top-scorer Tom Lineham, who is also second in the Super League standings. The winger has also agreed a move to Warrington Wolves for next season as well, so this will give Radford an idea of how his side can cope without the player, against tough opposition.

Make no mistake, Catalans are a savvy side, and the 58-16 victory over high-flying Wigan Warriors last month was no fluke. If the Humberside outfit are to win, they will need everyone to perform; there is no hiding place for a player on a rugby league pitch.

Radford, will therefore, no doubt be looking to his experienced heads to lead by example, as former NRL star Gareth Ellis did in the comprehensive derby victory at the Magic Weekend. The imposing second-rower is 4/1 in the anytime market; odds that should be considered, as it is likely to be in the pack where the game is won.

For the hosts, Morgan Escare is the key protagonist, and it is hardly surprising that he is odds-on at 4/7 to cross for four points in the anytime market.

Zeb Taia and Tony Gigot both collected hat-tricks against Wigan, and they will be ones to watch. Both are evens in the anytime market. The latter also scored in the narrow away defeat to Warrington last time out, as did Elliot Whitehead; a typically uncompromising player, and he is 5/4 in the same market.

For Hull, Leon Pryce returns to Perpignan for the first time since making the switch in close season, and after scoring in the Airlie Birds win at Widnes is good value at 5/2 to haunt his old club anytime.