Hull FC vs Warrington Wolves Prediction: Hosts pushing for top-six finish

Hull FC may have lost the derby last week, but their playoff hopes were reignited thanks to Wakefield's shock defeat. A win for the Black and Whites over hapless Warrington this week could propel Hull back into the top six (kick-off 17:30, live on Sky Sports+).

Wire have no playoff rugby this year having lost their last three, and are in desperate need of a spark to restore a bit of late-season pride. Read on for our Hull FC vs Warrington Wolves predictions.

Hull FC vs Warrington Wolves Odds

Team News

Last week's derby defeat to Hull KR cost Hull FC more than just two competition points.

Head coach John Cartwright saw his already-depleted side hit disciplinary problems, with four players banned this week.

Forward Jack Ashworth copped the heaviest, with a seven-match ban ending his season and rolling over into next season. Also banned this week are hooker Amir Bourouh, Yusuf Aydin and Jordan Rapana.

The injury list is even bleaker, with Herman ese'ese, John Asiata, Ligi Sao, Will Pryce and Liam Knight some of the star names sidelined.

Unsurprisingly Hull have recalled both Denive Balmforth and Hugo Salabio from loans and both are included in the 21-man squad.

In total there are five changes, with Ryan Westerman, Harvey Barron and Will Kirby also called up to replace the four banned players plus Zach Jebson.

Warrington make two changes, and also have a key man banned in Luke Yates, but England captain George Williams returns.

Unfortunate youngster Leon Hayes has picked up another injury so soon into his return from a long-term ACL setback, as the half-back broke his arm last week. So I would expect Williams to be restored alongside Marc Sneyd.

The other man to come in is academy star Ewan Smith.

Handicap 3-way Hull FC -8 @ 11/10

This feels like the toughest game of the weekend to call. Given Hull's absentees this would normally feel like a pretty easy game to call in Warrington's favour.

But anyone who has watched Sam Burgess' side lose to Huddersfield, Salford and Leigh in the last three weeks would not be going anywhere near them in the market for this one.

Do Hull still have enough bodies to win this game? Yes, potentially. Do they have more to play for? Absolutely. This is a huge game for Hull FC now that Wakefield have reopened the door to the playoffs, and wins for both Hull sides this week would see FC back into the top six.

I feel that incentive might just be enough to win this one but I am expecting it to be tight, cagey and perhaps even lacking in quality.

I can't imagine Warrington are suddenly going to start playing like we know they can play, but the return of Williams would help.

I am going to back the injury and suspension-hit Hull to still find a way to win this one.

Lewis Martin anytime tryscorer @ 4/5

We are offering Super League Double Delight for this fixture, so if your player scores the first try of the match and then goes on to score again, Betfred will double your first try scorer price.

I'm going to be boring this week and stick with the main man. I have been on Lewis Martin all season and the Hull FC top scorer rarely lets me down.

For Warrington it would be take you pick from the Thewlis brothers - who are both pretty good options at 5/4.

This could either be a wide-open points frenzy or a tight, cagey low-quality nerve-fest. I sense it may be the latter but I hope to be proved wrong.

Offers

Super League Double Delight - if your player scores the first try of the match, then goes on to score another, we'll DOUBLE your first tryscorer price!

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