Super 8s Preview: St Helens v Hull (Fri)

Two teams currently holding on to the Super League play-off places meet at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Friday.

St Helens are the team on everybody’s lips this week after their impressive win over Castleford last weekend, while Hull as ever have been quietly going about their business.

The Airlie Birds can consolidate third place with a win here, and ease their pressures with a Wembley date against Wigan looming.

They are boosted by the return of key man Marc Sneyd, however they are still without back-rower Mark Minichiello.

Saints have made just one change, Jake Spedding coming in for Tommy Lee, with Matty Smith recovering from a knock taken last week.

Last ten meetings:

St Helens 19, Hull FC 12 (SLR21, 7/7/17)
Hull FC 0, St Helens 45 (SLR14, 20/5/17) (at St James’ Park, Newcastle)
Hull FC 24, St Helens 14 (SLR4, 10/3/17)
St Helens 31, Hull FC 10 (SLS8-R4, 2/9/16)
Hull FC 32, St Helens 24 (SLR16, 28/5/16)
St Helens 18, Hull FC 47 (CCR6, 8/5/16)
St Helens 16, Hull FC 17 (SLR9, 1/4/16)
St Helens 22, Hull FC 32 (SLS8-R2, 14/8/15)
Hull FC 10, St Helens 17 (SLR15, 22/5/15)
St Helens 20, Hull FC 28 (SLR9, 6/4/15)

Super League summary

St Helens won 29 (includes win in 2006 Grand Final & wins in 2001 and 2006 play-offs)
Hull FC won 16
3 draws
St Helens highest score: 74-16 (H, 1999) (also widest margin)
Hull FC highest score: 44-6 (H, 2005) (also widest margin)

Squads:

St Helens: Lomax, Makinson, Morgan, Percival, Fages, Smith, Walmsley, Roby, Amor, Wilkin, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Thompson, Peyroux, Knowles, Richardson, Spedding, Grace, Lees, Taia.

Hull: Shaul, Fonua, Tuimavave, Griffin, Talanoa, Kelly, Sneyd, Taylor, Houghton, Watts, Ellis, Connor, Green, Thompson, Washbrook, Michaels, Manu, Bowden, Fash.

Prediction:

Saints momentum keeps on building – St Helens by 10.