Final round call made as Hull FC and London Broncos look to avoid wooden spoon
Hull FC host Catalans Dragons this Saturday afternoon in their final game of the Super League season. Here, our reporters preview the clash.
Dan Tomlinson - Hull Daily Mail
The permutations for Hull FC and Catalans Dragons will be laid out come 10pm this Friday night—a farce in itself when considering the integrity of the Super League competition.
Every game in the final round should kick off at the same time on the same day, as it did last year, with Hull’s game against the French side moved to Saturday 3pm over Friday night at the request of Sky. That is due to three games already taking place tonight, with the broadcaster not having the means to cover four games on the same night live. Thus, the Airlie Birds and le Dracs clash at the MKM Stadium in the final game of the regular season, knowing what they need to get their desired outcome. For Hull, that is avoiding the wooden spoon, with the Black and Whites aiming to better London’s result at Warrington. However, for Catalans, the season could already be over should Leigh taste victory over St Helens.
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For Hull, the extra incentive should be there to send Carlos Tuimavave and Danny Houghton out with a bang, with the duo set for their last games for the club. Added to that the loyal fans who have stuck with them through a torrid year, and you’d like to think an effort-based performance will be produced, one with some grit, determination, and energy.
Unfortunately, that just hasn’t been the case in recent weeks, with Hull hammered 68-6 at Leeds and 58-4 at home to Salford last week. That's been the story of their season, one of the worst in their entire history, with unwanted club records starring down their throats. Hopefully, the embarrassment of finishing dead last will spur them on, but you’d be forgiven for thinking the worst. Prediction: Warrington to win, Catalans to win, but the margins to ensure Hull finish 11th by the skin of their teeth.
Matthew Shaw - Rugby League Live
Hull FC's suffering fans will be put out of their misery when the final siren sounds on Saturday, and credit goes to those who have battled their way through an utterly dismal campaign. You'd like to think they'll finish on a high, but there's little evidence to suggest that will happen, unfortunately.
Danny Houghton deserves a good send-off, so does Carlos Tuimavave, and no doubt the supporters will supply that, even if the Black and Whites don't on the pitch. It's a miserable take but it's hard to be able to say with conviction the Black and Whites will be anything like good enough to compete. With Catalans potentially playing for something too, it could be a long afternoon. Prediction: Catalans by 22
Super League summary
Played 41 - Hull wins 20 Catalans wins 21
Last ten meetings:
2024: Catalans 24 Hull 16
2024: Catalans 26 Hull 12
2023: Hull 18 Catalans 28
2023: Catalans 38 Hull 6
2022: Catalans 36 Hull 8
2022: Hull 14 Catalans 8
2021: Catalans 31 Hull 16
2021: Hull 10 Catalans 27
2020: Hull 29 Catalans 34
2019: Catalans 10 Hull 50
Bookies say
Super League title sponsor Betfred have Catalans as 1/20 favourites to defeat Hull FC. The Black and Whites are priced at 9/1, with the draw coming in at 25/1.
*Odds correct as of Friday 20 September, 3pm
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