Hull KR vs Leigh Leopards Predictions: Rovers to avenge 2023 heartbreak

| 12th April |

3 mins read

Lachlan Lam’s golden-point drop-goal in the 2023 Betfred Challenge Cup final is sure to get a bit of airtime this weekend as Hull Kingston Rovers meet Leigh Leopards once again in the quarter-final stage of this year’s competition on Saturday (kick-off 17:00 BST).

The Leopards’ stunning cup run last year will take some replicating, as their one-from-seven start to the Betfred Super League season sees them arrive at Sewell Group Craven Park as the outsiders in a rerun of the 2023 final. Here are our Hull KR vs Leigh Leopards predictions.

Hull KR v Leigh Leopards Tips

Hull KR by 13+ points @ 6/5
Peta Hiku anytime tryscorer @ 5/4

Team News

There’s still no Oliver Gildart for Hull KR, with head coach Willie Peters explaining in his pre-match press conference that the former Leigh centre is no longer having symptoms following a head injury sustained in the sixth-round cup win over Salford Red Devils, but having visited a specialist he has been advised to sit out a further week as a precaution.

That means Tom Opacic should continue in his place on the left edge, while hooker Jez Litten is back after being rested against London Broncos last week and utility forward Dean Hadley returns after feeling a tight calf ahead of that one-sided 50-10 victory.

Tom Amone is back in the picture for Adrian Lam’s side, although the Leigh coach did warn in his media duties that it will be a last-minute decision on whether the influential prop can play a part in east Hull.

But there is still no Tom Briscoe, Edwin Ipape or John Asiata, with Lam confirming that the trio are back running as they look to make their recoveries from injury.

Hull KR by 13+ points @ 6/5

Rovers have started their last few matches like a train. Half-time leads of 24-0, 28-0 and 40-4 would suggest that they went on to post cricket scores, but of course the 40-0 win over Salford in the Challenge Cup was followed by lacklustre second-half efforts against Hull FC and London.

In the local derby the Robins lost the second period 10-6, and tries from Matt Parcell and James Batchelor saw them edge the final 40 against London by a similar margin. All of which is to say that Peters is still waiting to see a full 80-minute performance from his side in 2024.

That would intimate that the smart money would go on Rovers winning the first half only to lose the second, but there is not a lot of value in those markets so I’m looking at the home side to build up a decent lead and see it out with a little to spare. The 6/5 odds imply a 45.5% probability of KR winning by three scores.

Peta Hiku anytime tryscorer @ 5/4

Kelepi Tanginoa came in for us last week as he and Ryan Hall both scored having had the gauntlet laid down to them by their coach. Peters was critical of his left edge in the win over Hull FC, and it it noticeable that it has been on the right that Rovers have particularly excelled so far this year.

Right-centre Peta Hiku has seven tries in all comps, winger Joe Burgess has four in as many appearances, and full-back Niall Evalds has crossed to the right of the sticks for three of his four scores. Add in Batchelor’s try-scoring form over the last couple of weeks (one v Hull FC, two v London), and that edge looks potent just now.

Batchelor is a tempting 7/2 to score at any time, but I’m going to play it safe and back Hiku to add to his seven so far at a favourable 5/4 since the implied probability of 44.4% doesn’t match his current 75% scoring rate thus far (he’s scored in six of eight matches in a Rovers shirt).