Hull FC vs Leeds Rhinos Prediction: 11/4 a generous price for Rhinos star

Not many had Leeds Rhinos to beat Betfred Super League leaders Hull KR last week, but we did - so can the rampant Rhinos now beat the other team in Hull to maintain their powerful run into the playoffs?

The Black and Whites are themselves fighting for a place in the top six, and will need a big performance on Saturday (15:00 BST, Sky Sports Action) with Wakefield in hot pursuit of a playoff place. Below are my Hull FC vs Leeds Rhinos predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Leeds are without captain Ash Handley, who suffered a groin injury in that win over Hull KR.

Prop Mikolaj Oledzki was back in the squad last week and could now feature after another week of training. And another boost in the front row this week is the return of Cooper Jenkins.

Youngster Max Simpson replaces Riley Lumb in the other squad change.

Hull FC are without prop Sam Eseh with a hamstring injury, while Jed Cartwright is out for the season with a torn pectoral. Liam Knight won't play again this year either as he has ankle surgery, but Liam Watts could return after a concussion.

Hull FC vs Leeds Rhinos Odds

Hull are 6/4, or a 40% chance, to win, Leeds are 4/7, and the draw is 18/1.

Handicap 3-way Alternative 1: Leeds Rhinos -8 @ 6/4

It is a very odd feeling as a Leeds fan to be confident of the team's prospects. This is a really tricky fixture, and one the Rhinos could well lose, but the way this side is playing right now, I just can't back against them.

Brad Arthur has made an enormous difference, making the Rhinos resolute defensively and allowing enough freedom for the flair players Jake Connor and Lachie Miller to crave open defences at the other end.

I genuinely think this is the best-performing Leeds team since the one that one the treble in 2015, and that includes the 2017 Grand Final winners.

This, though, is a tough assignment. After a long wait for that first home win, the Black and Whites look like they have got used to home comforts now, as Leigh and Salford have found out this month.

And when you have players like Lewis Martin almost guaranteeing you tries at the top of the scoring charts, then anything is possible.

Hull were very unlucky not to win the game at AMT Headingley in May, losing out right at the end 18-16 thanks to Ryan Hall's match-winner.

So there could be revenge on the cards here, but I'm sticking with Leeds to make it a perfect four wins out of four in August.

Kallum Watkins anytime tryscorer @ 11/4

I may be going for another Leeds win, but I'm actually tempted by the home side in the anytime scorer market.

Leeds without Ash Handley will definitely be weakened down the left side, and the Rhinos will need a big performance from their other experienced head on that side, Chris Hankinson.

The former Salford man is 1/1 to cross for his first Leeds try, while the wise money has to be on the in-form Lachie Miller. In my opinion, the full-back is the form player in the Super League right now.

As for Hull FC, you can't ignore what Lewis Martin has been doing out wide - and we haven't! Martin has returned pretty much every time we have backed him from very early on in the season.

His odds this week are decent given the quality of the opposition, so with nine tries in his last four Super League games, I'm backing the Hull winger to keep that run going.

Yet I'm also tempted by Kallum Watkins - so there are probably two tips in one here! The veteran has been sensational since his return to the Rhinos from the car crash at Salford, and despite now being used in the forward pack, he filled back in at centre last week after the injury to Handley.

And if Watkins gets minutes at centre again this week, then his odds of crossing for a try look far too generous to refuse.

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