Castleford Tigers vs Hull KR Predictions: 14/1 Hiku leads Rovers threat

Craig Lingard’s much-improved Castleford Tigers host Hull Kingston Rovers in the Betfred Super League on Thursday (kick-off 20:00 BST, live on Sky Sports Action) with the aim of building on last week’s near-miss against the world champion Wigan Warriors.

The Tigers were narrow 10-8 losers against the quadruple champs, and this same fixture last year ended in a similar 12-7 reverse, so those defence-heavy results will be on my mind when I make my Castleford Tigers vs Hull KR predictions.

Castleford Tigers vs Hull KR Odds

The Tigers are 11/4 to win on home soil, with Hull KR 2/7 favourites to get the job done at Wheldon Road for the second season in a row. You can get 20/1 on a draw over the regular 80 minutes.

Team News

The Tigers have named Joe Westerman among their 21-player squad, with former Rovers forward Muizz Mustapha the other addition from the initial panel against Wigan. Liam Watts and Sami Kibula make way.

For Rovers, there’s no James Batchelor after he limped out of the win over Huddersfield Giants with hamstring and ankle injuries. It is the latter which has proved the more impactful, with the second row sent for scans earlier in the week to check the severity of the ankle problem.

Matt Parcell is also missing, with Joe Burgess and Zach Fishwick coming into the frame for selection.

Hull KR -14 @ 11/8

We need to consult the weather forecast as much as the form guide for this one, and with a clear couple of days expected leading into the game that gives me a little more belief that there could be a decent level of points scored on Thursday.

Sure, Cas kept the world champs to 10 last time out, and they only shipped two tries to KR last April, but they have conceded 30 or more on eight different occasions in 14 games this term.

And Rovers showed late on against Huddersfield in their 32-6 win last week that they can quickly put points on sides even when they’re not playing at 100 per cent.

In terms of threat from their half-backs, Mikey Lewis’ kicking game only gets better with each week and Tyrone May turned in his best performance in red and white against Huddersfield. The two also combined at key moments, which will have pleased Willie Peters no end.

Given that up-tick, I’m backing the visitors to cover the 14-point handicap at 11/8 (42.1% probability) despite their unconvincing record at the Jungle down the years. They have won on five of 14 visits in Super League, and only twice by more than 14 points, but they are an increasingly threatening side at the top of the league these days.

Peta Hiku first tryscorer @ 14/1

There’s the safe bet, and then there’s the value bet. The safe bet is to go for the summer era’s greatest ever tryscorer, Ryan Hall, to score a try at any time. But that is only on offer at 4/6.

The value bet is to have a go on Rovers’ leading tryscorer in Super League this season, Peta Hiku, to be the first one over the line again this week. The Kiwi has 11 tries to his name in 14 appearances, and bagged KR’s first and fourth tries in the win over the Giants.

We could split the difference and tip Hiku to score at any time at 6/4 but I like the 14/1 available for him to cross first. It’s a speculative one, but based on the centre’s record so far this term it could well land.

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