Catalans Dragons vs Hull KR Predictions: Dragons tempting against high-flying Robins

Hull Kingston Rovers aim to strengthen their bid for the League Leaders’ Shield on Sunday as the Magic Weekend continues at Elland Road when KR face Catalans Dragons (kick-off 16:00 BST, live on Sky Sports Action).

The Robins had more than enough in them to see of Castleford Tigers last week but have lost twice already to the Dragons this term. My Catalans Dragons vs Hull KR predictions will very much take account of that.

Catalans Dragons vs Hull KR Odds

Despite the Dragons’ stranglehold over the Robins in previous games this season, it is KR who have the bookies’ favour. Rovers are 2/5 to come out on top at Elland Road, with Catalans priced at 21/10.

The draw is 18/1, which is tempting given that these two went the distance when they last met and also had to be separated by golden-point when they last clashed in Leeds. That was a Covid-era meeting at an empty AMT Headingley back in 2021.

Team News

The big news for Catalans is that there is no Sam Tomkins in their 21 following last week’s exertions in their 23-22 triumph over Huddersfield Giants.

New signing Reimis Smith comes in though, and could make his debut. Mike McMeeken also returns from injury with Yacine Ben Abdeslem missing out.

Rugby League Odds

Rovers name an unchanged 21 from the squad which was picked to play Castleford last week.

Jack Brown could again by chosen as 18th player, which would likely mean Danny Richardson, George King and Jack Broadbent being left out once more.

Handicap 3-way Alternative 2: Catalans -4 @ 11/8

There’s a psychological hurdle for Rovers to get over in this one, with their 36-6 shellacking in Perpignan in April having been followed in July with a 15-14 defeat in which they were 14-0 behind at the break.

That one was played in front of an eerily distracted Craven Park crowd, but there should be an element of a home advantage here for the Robins given their bolstered numbers on the road of late, There’s also the consideration that that extra-time loss is Rovers’ only defeat since mid-May.

That said, this is going to be a very tight one, and while I might have Rovers winning it, I don’t have them doing so by many.

As such, I like the look of the Dragons on the slight -4 handicap, which adds value and covers me if they manage to get over the top of Willie Peters’ side for the third time in three attempts.

Tyrone May anytime tryscorer @ 7/2

Tyrone May held up is half of the bargain last week when I jumped on the PickYourPunt offer of he and Matt Parcell both scoring tries.

And as he comes up against his former club on Sunday I fancy him to continue his excellent recent run.

He’s been a scorer in the last two, having also crossed in that wonderful away performance against the Warrington Wolves, and has generally delivered an upturn as Rovers have strung together nine wins in 10 games since their hugely disappointing showing in the Betfred Challenge Cup semi-final against Wigan Warriors.

I fancy him at odds of 7/2 and an implied probability of 22.2% to notch once more.

You can read all our latest Rugby League Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights Rugby League content hub.