Huddersfield Giants vs Hull KR Predictions: Back the hosts to edge a close one

Huddersfield Giants will be looking to back up a hammering of Castleford Tigers when a faltering Hull Kingston Rovers arrive at the John Smith’s Stadium for a huge clash in round five of the Betfred Super League.

Much was expected of Willie Peters’ Robins after two early wins, but back-to-back losses have left them sat alongside the Giants on four points after four games. Our Huddersfield Giants vs Hull KR predictions reflect the fact that the embryonic season has been unpredictable to say the least.

Team news

Huddersfield coach Ian Watson has called upon Jake Bibby, with the former Wigan Warriors and Salford Red Devils winger replacing Elliot Wallis in the 21-man squad due to a knock picked up by the former Rovers man.

Adam Milner also returns to consideration, stepping in for Tom Deakin at hooker, but beyond those alterations it is hard to imagine Watson wanting to make too many tweaks to a side which ranked up the half-century a week ago.

Peters has a clean bill of health, with an inability to get enough of his squad game time his greatest concern right now. The impressive Matty Storton might get a recall after being named as the 18^th player for the last two matches, while the positioning of Peta Hiku and Niall Evalds will be a talking point amid the struggles of the former at full-back defensively.

Huddersfield to win by 1-5 points @ 11/2

Given their respective finishes in the 2023 Betfred Super League of ninth and fourth, not many would have been tipping the Giants to take this one just five rounds into the new campaign, but Watson’s side are the form team heading into this one.

They may have been nilled by St Helens in round two and then lost to the currently-untouchable Wigan Warriors six days later, but the 50-8 battering of Castleford last week spoke to their massive improvements with ball in hand compared to 2023.

The Giants averaged only 17.5 points per game last year, making them a frustrating watch at best, but the addition of Adam Clune in the halves seems to have made them a much more dynamic outfit.

Contrast that to Rovers, who have so far struggled with the heavy conditions of the early rounds and even in victories over Hull FC and Leeds Rhinos in the first two weeks made a combined total of 25 errors.

They scored enough last week to win their game against Warrington Wolves, but it was their defensive deficiencies that came back to bite them as they conceded five tries. Another issue is their ability to turn four points into six, with Jez Litten having kicked eight from eight but unlikely to play a full 80 minutes, and Peta Hiku and James Batchelor having combined for one success out of nine with the boot.

That all adds up to a tight game which could be decided by a small margin, and I’ll take the Giants to make the most of their chances. The 11/2 odds imply a 15.4% likelihood of Huddersfield winning by 1-5 points, but I make it greater than that and a good bet as a result.

Adam Swift anytime tryscorer @ EVS

The Robins’ right-edge defence was one of their selling points in 2023 but it has looked a lot more ragged when tested so far this term.

Former St Helens and Hull FC finisher Swift is in fine form, having crossed three times in Huddersfield’s last two games, and he could have a say against on Saturday.

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