Hull KR vs Leeds Rhinos Predictions: Mikey Lewis to star again for Robins

Betfred Super League’s annual opening round of thrills, spills, controversies and recriminations has been and gone, leaving the second week of action to take over the headlines. And when Leeds Rhinos travel to Hull Kingston Rovers’ Craven Park home on Thursday (kick-off 20:00 GMT), more drama is guaranteed.

The Rhinos came back from four separate deficits last week to beat the Salford Red Devils, while Hull KR opened the season with a commanding win in the local derby against Hull FC. And these two have had some tight tussles in recent times, with none of the last four meetings having been won by more than 12 points. That will help to inform our latest Super League Tips.

Team news

Rovers coach Willie Peters will be forced into at least two changes from the 17 which beat Hull FC 22-0 last week, with Matt Parcell suspended following his yellow card for head contact on Ligi Sao. Dean Hadley is the other absentee, with Matty Storton, Corey Hall, Louis Senior, Louix Gorman, Leo Tennison and new signing Joe Burgess all awaiting a season debut among those named in the 21-man squad.

Leeds have some key absences, primarily in the front row. Tom Holroyd is once again missing for Rohan Smith’s side, while Mikolaj Oledzki is out having injured a shoulder in the 22-16 win over Salford.

David Fusitu’a is still out, as are Morgan Gannon and Max Simpson. James McDonnell returns to the available squad, while Tom Nicholson-Watton is included and could make only his second senior appearance for the club.

Mikey Lewis anytime tryscorer @ 9/4

If there was a single stand-out performer in Round One of the Super League season, it might just have been Mikey Lewis. The 22-year-old had a hand in Kelepi Tanginoa’s try and then crossed himself as Rovers started to take the game away from their local rivals at a key point in the game last Thursday. As young superstars go, Lewis is one of the greatest in the British game right now.

He might also benefit from the greater responsibility in the halves this term after Jordan Abdull’s loan departure for Catalans Dragons, and I can see him feeling some freedom from the new partnership he is developing with Tyrone May.

Against a Leeds defence which struggled to hold Cade Cust last time up, there may be scope for the England half to make inroads on Thursday night, especially given the other threats the Rhinos will have to be aware of on Rovers’ left in Tanginoa, Oliver Gildart and Ryan Hall.

Hull KR (-6.5) handicap winners @ 10/11

If we learned one thing about Hull KR in week one, it was that they will be tough to break down. Sure, the Hull FC attack wasn’t up to much, but when scrambling defence was required on their own line, Rovers were well up for the fight. The Robins also should be a decent bet to score prolifically, having crossed for five tries in game one despite the damp weather conditions.

While this hasn’t exactly been the driest week on record in East Yorkshire, there may be more scope for the red and whites to throw the ball around at Craven Park, and I can’t see them not making the most of that. With the likes of Lewis, May and Peta Hiku as real strike threats and a very dangerous pack, the outside backs could make the most of what happens through the middle.

Rovers to win by a margin of 11-15 points at 13/2 is a fair bet, but with goalkicking already looking like it might be a problem for them – they converted just one from six last week, with Peta Hiku's penalty shot being of the memeable variety – I’m hedging my bets a little and going for the handicap win off a 6.5-point disadvantage.