Hull KR vs St Helens Prediction: Saints to edge out Wembley-focused leaders

A much-improved St Helens take on Betfred Super League leaders Hull KR at Craven Park on Friday night (20:00, live on Sky Sports Action), hoping to make it three wins on the bounce.

Saints legend Paul Sculthorpe gives his thoughts on the recent form of Paul Wellens' side, before giving his Hull KR vs St Helens prediction.

What a difference a couple of weeks makes in this game...

After a tough spell, Saints have enjoyed two significant wins in the last two rounds against Catalans and Huddersfield - but more importantly, put in two much-improved performances.

It's ideal timing ahead of our biggest test of the season at Hull KR on Friday.

Understandably, we might see a much-weakened Rovers on Friday, with the Betfred Challenge Cup final at Wembley on the horizon.

Willie Peters will want a full-strength side in the capital as they go head-to-head with Warrington Wolves, which could be to Saints' benefit in the league.

It's still a big ask, though. They've lost just one game in 12 this season and are fresh off the back of a 31-12 victory over the Wire.

That being said, never write off the Saints - whatever the opposition.

Last Friday, Paul Wellens' side backed up that 40-0 drubbing of the Dragons with another dominant at the home of Huddersfield,

It shouldn't take away from a clinical Saints display, but the Giants are as bad as I've seen in this division. They've won just one game this season and had it not been for the shenanigans at Salford, they would be bottom of the table.

Yet again Saints were inspired by another Jack Welsby masterclass. A hat-trick for himself and he had a hand in many other tries, proving what a difference it makes playing full-back and having a genuine half-back pairing to steer the ship.

Big wraps to Tristan Sailor, who really does look to be enjoying himself on the right edge - and Curtis Sironen, who when on form adds so much strike on the left edge. They both crossed the whitewash for a brace of tries.

Wello is clearly not getting carried away with the past two weeks, but is taking a lot of pleasure in the ability of his team to bounce back. Nobody has been more of a critic than me of the players in recent months, but as soon as individual standards rise, so do team results.

Back to Friday and with Wembley looming, I'm going for a much more confident and connected Saints side to edge the league leaders in East Hull. Back Saints to cover the handicap (-2).

Click the link for all the latest Rugby League Odds

Find more Rugby League Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights