Warrington Wolves vs Hull FC Predictions: Ratchford 9/4 to continue George’s hot streak

Warrington Wolves will be aiming for a big response to just their third defeat of the season when on Friday they welcome a Hull FC side without a head coach and only one win to show for an awful season so far (kick-off 20:00 BST, live on Sky Sports Action).

Sam Burgess' side are one of eight teams separated by just four points at the top of the table, with the visiting Black and Whites being among the bottom four teams still looking for their season to get going, making Warrington Wolves vs Hull FC predictions a one-sided affair.

Team news

Warrington boss Burgess makes several changes to his squad from the group beaten at Salford.

Forwards James Harrison and Jordy Crowther both drop out, with Burgess confirming the pair are not injured but instead being given a rest. Winger Matty Ashton missed out last weekend with a toe injury and is again not risked, while young half-back Leon Hayes suffered a horror injury at Salford that has ended his season. Hayes was stretched off with an oxygen mask after a fracture dislocation of his ankle. Winger Matty Russell is also left out.

Into the Wire squad come Zane Musgrove, Aaron Lindop and academy full-back Cai Taylor Wray. Josh Drinkwater is expected to replace Hayes alongside George Williams in the halves.

Hull could have star man Jake Trueman back having not featured at all this year following an achilles injury. Veteran winger Tom Briscoe is included too after re-signing for the club, while centre Cam Scott has been cleared from concussion and is free to play.

Dropping out of the Hull squad are Jayden Okunbor and youngsters Zach Jebson and Matty Laidlaw.

Handicap 3-way Warrington Wolves -24 @ 20/21

It will be no consolation to Warrington of course, but their defeat at Salford on Saturday saw both of our picks land for followers of this column.

The Red Devils’ victory came in at a juicy 9/5, while England captain George Williams crossed for the Wolves to land our other 9/4 anytime tryscorer selection.

This week should see Warrington return to winning ways at the Halliwell Jones Stadium despite the weakened side they look set to select, with the visitors still without a coach or any kind of direction. There were signs of improvement – on the scoreboard at least - in their defeat to Leeds Rhinos, but I fear for Hull again this week against a wounded Wolves who will be keen to put on a show.

At some point soon Hull will stop getting thumped every week, but that is unlikely to be until they have a new head coach and a settled side, so I’m going for Warrington here on a 24-point handicap.

Stefan Ratchford anytime tryscorer @ 9/4

The versatile Warrington stalwart has been employed at centre in recent weeks and is still as big a threat as he has ever been.

The Wolves are the leading scorers in the Betfred Super League so far with 242 points in the nine rounds to date, and there should be chances galore for their outside backs in this one. Their three-quarter line has accounted for 25 tries in 11 matches in all competitions so far, and having not mustered one between them in their last two matches this should be the game in which they find their try-scoring form once more. The 9/4 odds imply a 30.8% probability.

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