Hull FC vs Catalans Dragons Predictions: Tomkins looking to finish strong

Catalans Dragons need a big helping hand as they head to Hull FC’s MKM Stadium (KO, 15:00) looking to salvage an indifferent season with an unlikely spot in the Betfred Super League playoffs.

Catalans will know before kick-off on Saturday whether or not their season is over, while Hull know that theirs never even got started.

Hull FC vs Catalans Dragons Odds

Team News

Just like last week, Hull FC interim boss Simon Grix reacts to defeat by making four changes to his squad.

Veteran hooker Danny Houghton returns to the squad for his final game before retiring, while prop Ligi Sao is available again after injury and Jed Cartwright is back from suspension.

Teenager Callum Kemp is called into the senior squad for the first time.

The four to drop out are Brad Fash, Davy Litten and ed Chamberlain, all of whom are injured, plus academy star Jack Charles who played in the academy semi-final on Monday.

Catalans, who are dependent on results elsewhere to have any chance of making the top six, have star winger Tom Johnstone back in the squad for what could be his final Dragons game should they not make the playoffs.

The England man returns alongside youngster Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, with Jordan Abdull and the suspended Arthur Romano - who landed our any time try scorer bet last week, the men to make way in the two changes made by head coach Steve McNamara.

Rugby League Odds

Handicap 3-way Alternative 1: Catalans Dragons -24 @ 6/4

So at time of press, the Dragons know they must win in Hull and hope that St Helens have beaten Leigh by then, with Leeds likely to lose at Hull KR to pave the way for Catalans to qualify with a victory.

It seems a certainty that Catalans will fulfil their side of the bargain, but by now it could be too little too late after a season that has just shown up too much inconsistency. The strangely wayward Dragons performances are what prompted Sam Tomkins to come out of retirement after just six months with his feet up, but even the former England captain has been unable to put things right.

I had a long phone call with Tomkins this week and he pulled no punches, calling it a "disaster" for last year's Grand Finalists to be facing the prospect of ending their season without playoff football.

As for Hull, their hopeless season has got even worse in recent weeks, prompting Director of Rugby Richie Myler to release a "this is not a blame game, but ..." statement this week, in which he blamed "certain members or out organisation" for "not delivering on their roles".

In short Hull are a mess and have lost their last two games 58-4 and 68-6 to slip to the foot of the Super League. They have to better London's result this weekend if they are to leapfrog the Broncos at the last.

Hull won't win this game but could they cover the handicap? Possibly. Catalans have been erratic on the road, losing their last two away games at Salford and Leeds.

I'm backing the French side though to finally show why they have been such a dependable top six team in recent seasons, even if this year proves one that got away.

Sam Tomkins Anytime Tryscorer @ 6/5

We backed Tomkins to cross for a try on his first game back out of retirement earlier this summer and he obliged. He has recovered from an injury suffered since then, and still has all the old magic in the admittedly ageing legs.

He tells me he actually feels fresher than he can remember being at this point of the year, because he spent most of it on his sofa.

The porous Hull defence should have the Wigan legend licking his lips, and whether he starts or comes off the bench, 6/5 has to be a good bet for the old boy to finish the season with a try.

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