Hull KR vs Catalans Dragons Prediction: 2/1 Robins rolling all the way to Wembley

The Betfred Super League leaders take on the 2018 Challenge Cup winners in the first of this year's semi-finals as Hull KR lock horns with Catalans Dragons for the right to walk out at Wembley next month (kick-off 14:30 BST - live on BBC One).

Rovers are strongly fancied to return to the final which they lost two years ago in a golden-point thriller against Leigh Leopards, but the Dragons have been hinting at a bit of form in recent weeks and are unlikely to roll over at York's LNER Community Stadium. My Hull KR vs Catalans Dragons predictions follow, complete with full team news and Betfred's match odds.

Hull KR vs Catalans Dragons Odds

Rovers are heavy 1/4 favourites for the win in 80 minutes, making them an implied 80% shout to get the job done in regulation time.

The Dragons can be backed at 16/5, with the draw at full time available at 20/1.

In the handicap markets, it's all naturally leaning in Catalans' favour. They're given a 10/5-point start in the regular two-way bracket, and are 5/6 to come out on top with the advantage while KR are 10/11 to overcome the edge.

Team News

The big team news for both sides centres around the full-back position. Legend Sam Tomkins is missing for the Dragons, who say the former England captain has already returned to France from the training camp in England over a knee concern.

Tomkins actually has an infection in the knee and is set to see a specialist in Montpellier.

The other concern for boss Steve McNamara is captain Ben Garcia, who suffered a groin injury at Magic Weekend which seemed certain to rule him out. Garcia will be given a late fitness test but has been named in the squad, although Jordan Dezaria is back from his loan at Castleford Tigers as cover.

Tommy Makinson returns too, with Tomkins and Leo Darrelatour the two to drop out from last week's squad.

Hull KR's star full-back is the man they signed from Catalans, Arthur Mourgue, but he has already featured in this year's competition for the Dragons and is therefore cup-tied.

The other blow for Willie Peters' men was the knee problem suffered by centre Oliver Gildart at Magic last weekend. The former Wigan man managed just five minutes before the injury, and although he has not yet been ruled out this weekend he is obviously a huge doubt.

Jack Broadbent will probably move back to full-back from the wing to cover Mourgue, while Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is also included after being rested last week.

Both starting wingers are back in the squad, and what a huge boost it would be for KR to have both Tom Davies and Joe Burgess back in the team. Kelepi Tanginoa returns too, so other than Mourgue and potentially Gildart the Robins are in good shape.

Rhyse Martin and Michael McIlorum remain long-term absentees.

Hull KR -11.5 & Joe Burgess to score a try @ 2/1

I'm looking forward to this game a lot. And although I'm struggling to find a way that Catalans can win it, I do think McNamara's men can put up a fight.

They may have come up just short against Leigh at Magic but a two-point defeat against the Leopards after a perfect four wins in four through April says to me that this team is clicking.

Rovers having their wingers back is a big boost and Broadbent's move back to full-back could even end up strengthening the team.

This will be another good test to see how resolute the Robins are on the big stage, and reaching a third major final in as many years would represent a pretty strong answer.

A glance at the recent head-to-heads shows the Dragons don't mind playing Rovers, having won two of the three meetings between the sides last season.

This is a Rovers team though that keeps getting better and I am backing them here to win a really fierce and physical game by a couple of scores with Burgess making it over at some stage.

Rugby League Odds

Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet anytime tryscorer @ 5/2

What a conveyor belt of talent the Dragons seem to have at full-back. Arthur Mourgue has been allowed to leave and Sam Tomkins is injured, but suddenly we realise why there was no real fight to keep hold of Mourgue.

Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet broke through last season, with one try in 11 Dragons appearances and now the 19-year-old is thriving on the big stage.

He will be at full-back again this weekend and I'm backing him to find his way over at 5/2. Rovers are resolute defensively so Catalans will need a spark.

Aispuro-Bichet has shown his value with the kicking boot but also crossed for a try at Magic Weekend. So let's see if he can grab another here.

We also have Double Delight and Hat-Trick Heaven offers available, so if you back a first tryscorer and he scores two or even three, then you will see your odds doubled or trebled!

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