Hull FC vs Wigan Warriors Predictions: Keighran and champs should make hay

The Betfred Super League-leading Wigan Warriors bid to strengthen their position at the top of the table with what looks like a fairly routine trip along the M62 on Saturday to take on struggling Hull FC at the MKM Stadium (kick-off 14:00 BST, Sky Sports Arena).

Hull have just two wins all year as they prepare to host the all-conquering holders of the Betfred Challenge Cup, World Club Challenge and Super League titles, and few would give the home side much of a chance. Neither do I in my Hull FC vs Wigan Warriors predictions.

Hull FC vs Wigan Warriors Odds

Hull FC are about the longest odds they will have ever been for a home game at the MKM, priced 11/2 to beat the world champs. Wigan themselves can be picked up at 1/8 for the 80-minute win and are 8/13 for a victory by 13 or more points. The draw is 22/1.

Team News

Hull FC make two changes to their squad after last week’s defeat in the derby at home to Hull Kingston Rovers. Interim boss Simon Grix has two new faces in the squad, with this week’s signings of Ed Chamberlain from Leigh Leopards and prop King Vuniyayawa from Salford Red Devils.

Both players have arrived on loan for the rest of the season and are expected to feature straight away, with Tiaki Chan and youngster Will Kirby the men to drop out. Chan is unavailable to play against his parent club.

Carlos Tuimavave had a tight hamstring last week but makes the squad, with Jack Charles and Ligi Sao also included.

Rugby League Odds

Wigan make just one change to their squad as hooker Brad O’Neill returns following a one-match ban.

Goal-kicking centre Adam Keighran is free to play after seeing his suspension successfully overturned at a disciplinary hearing this week.

Bevan French is again the big-name absentee after picking up a hamstring injury in the lead-up to last Friday’s derby against St Helens. Jai Field, Kruise Leeming, Willie Isa and Tom Forber are still out and prop Mike Cooper misses out due to concussion protocols.

In the absence of French and Field last week, Wigan played young Zach Eckersley at full-back in the derby and he excelled in a man-of-the-match performance. Harry Smith and Jack Farrimond will continue in the halves.

Handicap 3-way Wigan -16 @ 1/1

Even without a host of big names including French and Field, the Warriors will have way too much for the soft-centred Black and Whites.

Oddly, Hull have actually got a pretty good record in this fixture, winning their last two home games against Wigan. I won’t read a great deal into that though, as I don’t see much I like at Hull at the moment, and Wigan are a colossus.

I like the look of youngsters Eckersley and Farrimond and this could be the kind of fixture in which they express themselves on the big stage.

With a fully-fit squad I would be backing a walloping away win, but given the players missing I expect the visitors will win this by two or three scores.

Adam Keighran anytime tryscorer @ 6/4

The value tryscorer bets for Wigan look like being in the centres, where Adam Keighran is a points machine at 6/4 and Jake Wardle a 5/4 shot to cross during the 80 minutes.

Half-back Farrimond also appeals at 5/2, while if Tyler Dupree marks his 100th appearance with a try you can get that at 11/2.

I’m sticking with Keighran though this week, buoyed by having his ban overturned, I expect a few points from his kicking boot and a try thrown into the mix too. The price implicates a 40% chance of him crossing.

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