York Knights vs Keighley Cougars Prediction: Knights versus the handicap is the real competition

Betfred Super League new boys York Knights have a terrific chance of reaching the Betfred Challenge Cup quarter-finals when rank outsiders Keighley Cougars head to the LNER Community Stadium on Saturday lunchtime (12:00 GMT)

York have made a commendable start to their first-ever campaign in the top flight, and now look good for a cup run as they welcome a Cougars side 10th in the Championship. Here are my York Knights vs Keighley Cougars predictions, the full team news and Betfred's match odds.

Team News

York boss Mark Applegarth names just a 20-man squad for the visit of Keighley but it is strong.

Former NRL winger David Nofoaluma is unavailable, with the ex-Halifax man cup-tied.

The big news this week is the injury suffered by veteran Jordan Thompson. The 34-year-old has been a key component in the Knights' fine early-season form, but suffered a ruptured bicep that will require surgery.

Former St Helens winger Jon Bennison is not yet ready to return after undergoing hip surgery over the winter, but Will Dagger could feature.

Keighley will be without Matty Beharrell but could be boosted by the return of centre Max Clarke.

York Knights vs Keighley Cougars Odds

Unsurprisingly, the bookies are not even offering anything on York for the straight win. The upset is 18/1, with the draw in normal time at 25/1.

Keighley get a head start of 45,5 on the two-way handicap, with the Knights 5/6 and Cougars 20/21 in that case.

To get better value on a big Knights win, you could stretch to a 54-point handicap on one of the three-way bets, with York 9/5 to succeed by 10 clear scores.

Handicap 2-way York Knights -45.5 @ 5/6

York reached round four by beating Barrow Raiders 32-6 last month and are rewarded with another crack at Championship opposition. The Knights' Super League form since then has also been good, with wins over both Hull sides in the first four games - that opening-round win over champions KR the eyebrow-raising result of the season so far.

The Cougars, of course, came into the competition at an earlier date, beating amateurs Heworth and then narrowly edging past Midlands Hurricanes 18-14 in round three.

This is a great chance for Keighley to show they can compete at this level, but it feels like a very tough ask.

This is not a York side who are just happy to have reached Super League, their performances so far show that the exciting club is one on the up and keen to make an impact. As such, this fixture is a fantastic opportunity to reach the business end of rugby league's most iconic cup competition.

I don't see any chance of an upset here, and it is worth noting that these two sides also met in the Betfred Challenge Cup last year, with York going to Cougar Park and having a field day with 13 tries in a 72-12 win.

It might not be that ugly a scoreline again, but there is every chance, depending on how strong a side head coach Mark Applegarth sends out. York will win this one with ease.