Hull FC vs Catalans Dragons Prediction: Can the Airlie Birds catch the play-offs?

Hull FC need a huge helping hand if they are to sneak into the end-of-season playoffs but they should at least complete their side of the bargain at home to an improving Catalans Dragons (20:00BST, Sky Sports).

Wakefield's shock win over leaders Hull KR last week looks like knocking FC out of the playoff picture, while the Dragons produced an inspired performance to produce a shock of their own last week at Leeds.

Team News

Hull boss John Cartwright has two key men back available after suspension.

Prop Yusuf Aydin and hooker Air Bourouh are both free to play and are both recalled to a 21-man squad.

Dropping out however is in-form Sam Eseh, with the prop forced to observe head injury protocols. Youngster Will Kirby also drops out. 

Denive Balmforth is in line to play against the club he has been with for most of this season, with the Hull star recalled last week from his loan spell in France. 

Aiden Sezer came off last week as a precaution and is named in the squad. There is still a lengthy injury list including Will Pryce, Ligi Sao, Herman Ese'ese and Ed Chamberlain, with Jack Ashworth and Jordan Rapana both suspended. 

Catalans boss Joel Tomkins makes three changes from the side that produced a brilliant win over Leeds at AMT Headingley. 

Into the squad come Oliver Partington, Tevita Pangai Jr and Alrix da Costa, to replace Tariq Sims, Leo Darrelatour and Tanguy Zenon.

Hull FC vs Catalans Dragons Odds

Hull FC are the 1/3 favourites with a healthy 75% implied probability of victory. The draw is priced at 18/1 while Catalans are the 5/2 underdogs.

Handicap 3-way Hull FC -10 @ 11/10

This is a far trickier game to call than I anticipated it was going to be. 

Catalans have found some form out of nowhere, and were sensational at Leeds last week where they were fully deserving of their shock win. That was a third win in the last four games as Tomkins looks to rebuild the French dynasty after a very odd season which has seen the Catalans challenge sink without trace. 

I think this will be a really close game too, and the Dragons will take a lot from their trip to West Yorkshire last week.

So can they back up and do it again? I think they can. But I'm actually for once going to go against my instinct and back the home side to see it through. 

Hull have had a really good season but now look like missing the playoffs after Wakefield's shock win last week over Hull KR. What FC cannot afford to do however is lose this one, and I think they will at least fulfil their side of the bargain with a hard-fought win.

What makes me hesitant is both the Dragons' form and the long list of FC absentees through injury and suspensions. My instinct therefore is that this might end up being closer than the 10-point handicap, but I am still expecting the home side to see it through and then hope for the best in the game between Salford and Wakefield.

Hull FC -2.5 & Lewis Martin to score a try @ 6/5

This feels a much more confident punt given the prolific form of top try scorer Lewis Martin. 

The winger has been one of the real success stories of Hull's season and I expect him to finish with a flourish whether his side sneaks into the playoffs or not. 

His odds to cross during 80 minutes this week are pretty short, so I am doubling up with a Hull win for a bit more value.

Offers

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