Hull FC vs Leigh Leopards Predictions: Hanley to score in first Leigh win

Two struggling sides meet at the MKM Stadium on Saturday afternoon as the Betfred Challenge Cup holders Leigh Leopards head to Hull FC in search of their first win of the campaign (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

In truth the Black and Whites are having an equally difficult time of it, with only a dramatic late victory over newly-promoted London Broncos to show from their first four games. Leigh have lost each of their first three games after blowing a 16-0 half-time against Leeds last week in a game that looked like rewarding those who followed our tip of the Leopards to narrowly upset the Rhinos at 11/5, but our Hull FC vs Leigh Leopards predictions should hopefully fare better.

Team news

Hull FC head coach Tony Smith makes half-a-dozen changes to the squad that was beaten 26-12 last week at the Catalans Dragons.

Liam Sutcliffe, Franklin Pele and Jack Brown are all back available after serving suspensions, while former Leeds winger Liam Tindall is in line to make his debut having recovered from a thumb injury. Cam Scott is back in the mix too, having been out with a calf injury, and Matty Laidlaw also comes in.

Injury though rules out full-back Jack Walker, who picked up a hamstring problem in Perpignan, Jack Ashworth is banned for the next two games, while Davy Litten and Denive Balmforth drop out. On-loan Matty Russell has a pectoral injury while fellow loan recruit Joe Bullock has been recalled by Warrington Wolves.

Leigh are still without key forward John Asiata with a calf injury, and their win record in his absence is decidedly poor. Veteran winger Tom Briscoe remains sidelined, with Umyla Hanley taking his chance last week with a fine try against Leeds. A late call will be made on Lachlam Lam after he limped out of the lost to Leeds with a nasty gash to his leg.

Leigh Leopards to win by 1-12 points @ 11/5

I’m going to stick with exactly the same bold prediction that I made last week in a narrow Leigh win, and although that ended up not landing against the in-form Rhinos, it really should have done.

The Leopards will be absolutely kicking themselves having not only forged a 16-0 half-time lead but looked in complete control. Credit Leeds for a stunning fightback, but if Leigh can start with the same energy this week then I think they can win on the road for the first time this year.

Hull showed plenty of promise and fight in the south of France to ensure the scoreline in defeat to Catalans was far more respectable than many predicted, and they will be pretty confident of winning this too. This genuinely could go either way, but I just feel a Leopards win is coming. Leigh won 24-16 on their last visit to the MKM Stadium and I am backing a similar scoreline here.

Umyla Hanley anytime tryscorer @ 2/1

The winger took his chance in place of the injured Tom Briscoe last week to score a spectacular try in the corner against Leeds, and he can expect decent opportunities to score again here.

With the prolific Josh Charnley always occupying defensive attention on the other flank, Hanley can exploit Hull at more generous odds than Charnley given half a chance.

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