Halifax Panthers vs Catalans Dragons Predictions: Away side should progress

Championship side Halifax Panthers host one of Super League’s most formidable sides when the 2018 Betfred Challenge Cup Winners Catalans Dragons visit The Shay on Sunday afternoon (kick-off 15:00)

Team news

Catalans coach Steve McNamara names a strong squad for the trip to West Yorkshire, as the French side launch their bid to reclaim the famous Cup they won 6 years ago, becoming the first – and so far only – non-British side to do so.

Hooker Michael McIlorum has completed his suspension so will return to the side, with former Hull FC prop Chris Satae also back in the mix after concussion.

Arthur Romano has recovered from injury to take his place on the plane, while Alrix Da Costa has also been given the green light to play after concussion.

Halifax head coach Liam Finn has a relatively stable squad, making just the one change from last week’s win at Dewsbury.

Loanee Zack Smith drops out and returns back to parent club Leeds Rhinos.

Influential French half-back Louis Jouffret is likely to come up against his cousin, dangerous Catalans full-back Arthur Mourgue  - who rewarded followers of this column with another anytime try last week at 6/4.

Handicap 3-way Catalans Dragons -30 @ EVS

Halifax have a good Championship squad, a good tactician in coach Liam Finn and a passionate fan-base at The Shay. But they have no chance of winning this game, which is why Catalans are pretty much unbackable.

Fax had a dream run to Wembley last year, where they beat everyone in their path to lift the 1895 Cup, with a thrilling win over Batley.

But The Dragons love this competition and will take this very seriously, with a very strong side likely to be sent out by McNamara, the like of which the Championship side are unlikely to have any answer to.

It is likely to be a big scoreline and I am expecting a Dragons win by 30 or 40 points here, so the 3-way handicap at Evens looks the way to go.

Check out our other Super League Tips here.