Bradford Bulls vs Hull KR Prediction: Champions should rip through ravaged Bulls

After a slow start to their title defence, champions Hull KR continue to pick their way through the Betfred Super League backmarkers, and are big favourites to grab another win on Saturday against an injury-hit Bradford Bulls at Odsal. (15;00, Sky Sports+).

The Bulls have only had 15 bodies at training this week so this one feels like an ominous afternoon in West Yorkshire, which will be reflected in my Bradford Bulls vs Hull KR predictions. They follow below, with the latest team news and Betfred's match odds.

Bradford Bulls vs Hull KR Odds

The Bulls are a massive 22/1 to win this one, with the reigning champions a restrictive 1/100. Even the draw is out at 66/1, a reflection of Bradford's struggles with injuries right now.

Team News

Bradford head coach Kurt Haggerty has spent much of the week on the phone trying to cash in some favours and land a few loan deals to bolster his squad for this one. He hasn't had much luck however, and thus names only a 19-man squad. Much of it is padded out with academy players too, with the main issues appearing to be in the halves.

That is an understatement actually. There are no recognised half-backs available for the Bulls - only utility Chris Atkin, although full-back Caleb Aekins is one of those players who can excel in any position in the backs.

Ruled out are first choice halves Jayden Nikorima and Rowan Milnes, Joe Keyes, Joe Mellor - who has been excellent since his move from Salford, Esan Marsters, Waqa Blake, forwards Eribe Doro, Ryan Sutton and Dan Russell, Luke Hooley, Guy Armitage and new signing Phoenix Steinwede.

Veteran prop Jack Ormondroyd is included but is rated only 50/50 to play, hooker Andy Ackers is out, and young centre Harvey Ward is involved.

No such problems for Hull KR after their walloping win in Toulouse. Centre Oliver Gildart did pick up an injury so misses out, with young back-row forward Tom Whitehead taking his place in the squad in the only change made by head coach Willie Peters.

Rugby League Odds

Handicap 3-way Alternative 1: Hull KR - 38 @ 13/10

Hull KR are finding form, as they were always going to do after a disrupted start to the season. And Bradford are absolutely decimated. We have had some shock results in the opening three months of the season but I am failing to find any reason to suggest this will be one of them. In the outright betting with Betfred the Robins are 1/100 to win.

The handicap is 34, which feels huge but I don't think it is. Not least given the way Rovers ran out 46-0 winners last weekend while Bradford were conceding a half-century in Wakefield.

I feel this may be pretty ugly for a Bulls side suffering from the brutal physical nature of the Betfred Super League in their first campaign back in the big time. This is the first meeting between the two sides since 2017, and Rovers won all three of those, two by at least 30 points.

I had KR to beat the 22-point handicap in France last weekend and they cruised past that, so the 34-point margin looks well within reach, and with the sun out at Odsal I'm expecting Rovers to remind fans why they are champions.

Tyrone May Anytime Tryscorer @ 7/4

Rovers shared eight tries between seven different scorers in Toulouse last week, and wouldn't you know it our 11/4 tip Tyrone May wasn't one of them. He was arguably the best player on the park however, and absolutely menaced the Toulouse line with ball in hand, a key reason for the tries that followed.

You could make a strong claim for over half the Rovers team scoring again this week, so take your pick. I like May as a selection, likewise full-back Jack Broadbent, who is rediscovering the form that made him an unsung hero last year and so unfortunate to miss out on selection in the Grand Final at Old Trafford.

Wingers Joe Burgess (1/3), Tom Davies (2/5) and main man Mikey Lewis (2/5) dominate the betting, but given the likely big win this feels a good week to go against the obvious choices.

May appeals again at 7/4, while captain Elliot Minchella and Jai Whitbread provide the threat in the middles at 5/2.

Find more Rugby League Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights