Huddersfield Giants vs Catalans Dragons Prediction: Home win expected

Two teams with nothing of note to play for lock horns in West Yorkshire second bottom Huddersfield host a Catalans side starting a rebuild.

The French side have a new permanent head coach in Joel Tomkins but will miss the playoffs and have a lot of work to do to get themselves back up to where they feel they should be. (Kick-off 17:30, Sky Sports+)

Huddersfield Giants vs Catalans Dragons Odds

Huddersfield Giants are 8/11 to win this match. Catalans Dragons are 6/5 to come away with the victory, while the draw is on offer at 16/1,

Team News

Both teams make a number of changes this week, and crucially for Huddersfield playmaker Tui Lolohea is out for the remainder of the season with a quad injury.

Given Adam Clune, Niall Evalds and Sam Hewitt are also out long-term, that represents a bit of a problem for boss Luke Robinson.

Winger Adam Swift is out too after an injury picked up in the win at Hull FC, and that leaves Robinson with only 18 fully fit players. As such youngsters Archie Sykes and Leo Ward get call ups from the academy.

Experienced head Oiver Wilson is at least back.

The Dragons make three changes, bringing in Paul Seguier, Reimis Smith and Arthur Romano.

The men to make way are Clement Martin, Julian Bousquet and Tevita Pangai Jr.

Handicap 3-way Huddersfield Giants -2 @ 20/21

I find this a really tricky contest to call and that is reflected in the two-point handicap. I would normally always back Catalans against Huddersfield, and indeed the Dragons were comfortable 32-0 winners when the teams met in the south of France at the end of June.

But the Dragons have not won since then, beaten in all four games through July including 44-6 at Wakefield. So the last trip to West Yorkshire was not a good one.

Huddersfield have hardly been setting the world on fire of course, but the two wins out of four games in July were impressive - not least the 30-14 victory at Hull FC last time out.

I'm tempted to ignore the Dragons' good record in the head-to-head and feel that form will favour the home side. But the Giants are so depleted, will they create enough without their star half-backs?

This is a really tough one. I've changed my mind several times. But am going to stick with the injury-hit Giants - just.

Tommy Makinson anytime try @ 6/4

St Helens legend Tommy Makinson has had a really difficult first season in Perpignan. The Dragons demise from heavyweight finalists to inconsistent also-rans hasn't helped the England star, but injuries and lack of form have been obvious too.

Nonetheless I still always fancy Makinson for a try when he is on the field - he remains one of the most reliable finishers in the game out wide.

Makinson scored last time out in a 28-18 defeat at Wigan and should get a chance or two in this one, regardless of the outcome.

Click the link for all the latest Rugby League Odds

Find more Rugby League Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights