SL Preview: Widnes v Hull
Widnes will hand a debut to one of their star signings, Kevin Brown, while Hull coach Peter Gentle has made one change to his 19-man squad for Saturday’s televised clash.
Gentle will be hoping his side can get their second win of the season when they visit the Stobart Stadium looking to avenge last season’s 42-16 demolition.
Denis Betts however, will hope the extra time off following their fixture postponement with Leeds Rhinos will benefit his side and they can bounce back from a 44-18 hammering at Hull KR.
Daniel Holdsworth missed the Black and Whites’ 24-10 defeat to Warrington with concussion but having trained this week, he is in contention for a return to the side. Danny Tickle is officially named for this rounds game but there is no place in the 19 for half-back Brett Seymour. Winger Jason Crookes has failed to get over his twisted knee so Tom Lineham will keep his place.
Brown, signed from Huddersfield has recovered from ankle surgery and is in the 19-man squad. Ben Cross returns to the side having served his suspension, while Patrick Ah Van makes his return to the side.
Losing their places in the 19-man announcement are Shaun Briscoe, Macgraff Leuluai and Phil Joseph.
Widnes Vikings 19-man Squad: Ah Van, Allen, K. Brown, Cahill, Clarke, Cross, Dean, Flynn, Gerrard, Hanbury, Hock, Kavanagh, Marsh, Mellor, O’Carroll, Phelps, Pickersgill, White, Winterstein.
Hull FC 19-man Squad: Arundel, Briscoe, Crooks, Galea, Green, Heremaia, Holdsworth, Horne, Houghton, Johnson, Lineham, Lynch, McDonnell, O’Meley, Pitts, Tickle, Westerman, Whiting, Yeaman
Prediction: The inclusion of Kevin Brown will no doubt be a boost to the home side – Widnes win.
Last 10 meetings:
Widnes 42, Hull FC 16 (SLR25, 18/8/12)
Hull FC 58, Widnes 10 (SLR7, 18/3/12)
Widnes 26, Hull FC 50 (CCR5, 21/5/11)
Widnes 18, Hull FC 32 (CCR5, 11/5/08)
Widnes 20, Hull FC 40 (SLR22, 24/7/05)
Hull FC 32, Widnes 28 (SLR9, 10/4/05)
Hull FC 20, Widnes 18 (SLR28, 18/9/04)
Hull FC 70, Widnes 4 (SLR12, 31/5/04)
Widnes 32, Hull FC 18 (SLR6, 12/4/04)
Widnes 46, Hull FC 10 (SLR18, 13/7/03)
Super League summary:
Widnes won 3
Hull FC won 8
Widnes highest score: 46-10 (H, 2003) (also widest margin)
Hull FC highest score: 70-4 (H, 2004) (also widest margin)