Hull FC vs London Broncos Predictions: Walker to cross in tight contest

Magic Weekend opens at Elland Road with a meeting of the Betfred Super League’s bottom two, as a resilient London Broncos face a Hull FC side thumped by Leigh Leopards last week (kick-off 14:30, Sky Sports Action)

London gave Warrington Wolves a scare last week by putting 22 points on the Wolves in a losing cause and stunned Catalans a week earlier. Now can they topple the Black and Whites to pull level on points with their nearest rivals at the foot of the table? Here are my Hull FC vs London Broncos predictions.

Hull FC vs London Broncos Odds

Simon Grix's Airlie Birds are the 1/3 favourites to get Magic Weekend off to a winning start, with the Broncos offered at 5/2 for the 80-minute victory. It's 20/1 for the draw in regular time.

Team News

Hull FC make five changes to their squad from last week’s defeat against Leigh and have some big names back in contention.

Forwards Brad Fash, Jordan Lane and Ligi Sao are all in the squad after serving suspensions while Ed Chamberlain is available again after concussion protocols. Jack Ashworth returns after an ankle ligament injury and comes back into the mix too.

The players to drop out of last week’s squad are Tiaki Chan, Lennon Bursell, Will Kirby, Ryan Westerman and Will Hutchinson.

Jed Cartwright made his debut last week and keeps his place, as do on-loan pair Leon Ruan and prop Sam Eseh.

Rugby League Odds

London had a real go at Warrington last week and make one change to their side, with Jensen Monk returning and Matt Davies the man to make way.

Handicap 3-way: London Broncos +10 @ 20/21

Pretty tricky one to call, this – if London were at home then given their recent form I would back them to win. But with Hull FC getting some key bodies back, and it being played at Elland Road, I do wonder whether the Black and Whites may find the kind of performance that saw them stun champions Wigan Warriors last month.

That said, Hull haven’t won since that 24-22 victory over the Warriors, coming up short away at Catalans Dragons and then suffering heavy back-to-back defeats this month against St Helens and Leigh.

That is bound to be a morale-sapper, while London will be hugely buoyed by both beating the Dragons and then scoring four tries against Warrington last week.

London beat Hull 34-18 back in May and lost the away fixture back in March by a single score at 28-24. That adds to my belief that the Broncos can make good use of the 10-point handicap in this one.

The Broncos have try scorers in Josh Rourke and Lewis Bienek and they will absolutely be backing themselves to win this game. I think London on the handicap may be the call this week.

Betfred are also offering free bets this Magic Weekend. Place any In-Play bet of £10 or more at odds of 1/2 or better on a Saturday game and we will give you a free £5 bet to play with on a Sunday game.

Jack Walker anytime tryscorer @ 6/4

Whether this game stays tight or not I feel Hull have points in them, and full-back Jack Walker has been in decent form. He was used in the halves in the defeat against Leigh and also in the 46-6 reverse at home to St Helens – Walker was the Black and Whites’ solitary try scorer that day.

Whether at full-back, or in the halves where he will have the ball in his hands more, or even off the bench, the former Leeds Rhino always represents good value to cross.

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