Leeds Rhinos vs Huddersfield Giants Predictions: Swift to continue incredible form

Two unpredictable sides lock horns in a West Yorkshire derby at AMT Headingley on Friday night, as the inconsistent Leeds Rhinos host the resurgent Huddersfield Giants (kick-off 20:00 BST).

The Giants pulled off a famous win last week in France to knock the Catalans Dragons out of the Betfred Challenge Cup and return to Betfred Super League action on a four-match winning streak looking to crank up the pressure on Rhinos head coach Rohan Smith, whose side have won just one of their last four. Here are my Leeds Rhinos vs Huddersfield Giants predictions.

Team news

The headline team news for Leeds sees the return of winger David Fusitu’a from his latest injury layoff, and he could make his first appearance of the season.

The Tongan international injured his calf in pre-season and then had a knee operation, meaning he hasn’t played since the final day of last season. His return is good timing given the loss of in-form Ash Handley to a rib injury, while forwards James Bentley and Tom Holroyd are also both out, as is James Donaldson.

France international prop Justin Sangare returns from a one-match ban.

Huddersfield are without Jack Murchie, who misses out with a slight strain, while England prop Chris Hill is a long-term absentee. Coach Ian Watson will be looking for his side to continue their recent improvement, best exemplified by their stunning 34-6 win in Perpignan last week.

2-way Handicap Huddersfield Giants -6.5 @ 7/4

Leeds have been almost impossible to predict this year and we haven’t had the best luck in this column in games where the Rhinos have been involved.

This is a game, at home, that Leeds should win given Huddersfield haven’t won at Headingley for six years, and were thumped 54-0 in the corresponding meeting last summer.

But I like Huddersfield in this fixture. The Giants produced a terrific display in France last week to stun the Dragons and they have enough quality in their side to give Leeds another difficult night in front of their own crowd.

The Rhinos can be devastating when they hit a purple patch, which is why they have been so tough to call for backers, but I feel this Giants side has a better structure and is well coached, and can win this one.

I’m going for an away win to stun Headingley by more than six points.

Adam Swift anytime tryscorer @ 4/5

Followers of this column were quids-in with our anytime tryscorer bet on Adam Swift last week at great odds of 5/4. Swift is arguably the top winger in Super League right now having left Hull FC to blossom in West Yorkshire.

Swift isn’t quite as generous odds this week as he was to score in France last week, but I still wouldn’t turn down 4/5 for him to cross the whitewash during the 80 minutes. The 31-year-old has scored an incredible 13 tries in seven consecutive tryscoring appearances.

You can read all our latest Super League Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights Super League content hub.