Leeds Rhinos vs Hull FC Prediction: 6/4 Martin won’t stop Hull suffering first away loss
Leeds Rhinos' clash with Hull FC on Friday should be a terrific contest between two teams who have produced some stellar performances already this season, with fourth meeting fifth at AMT Headingley (kick-off 20:00 BST, live on Sky Sports+)
Leeds announced this week that they will take on Hull KR in Las Vegas next year, but here they will need to produce a big performance to beat Hull FC on home soil. Below you will find my Leeds Rhinos vs Hull FC predictions, with full team news and Betfred's latest match odds.
Leeds Rhinos vs Hull FC Betting Tips
*odds correct at the time of publication
As the home side, it's the Rhinos who have the bookies' backing, with Brad Arthur's side priced at 1/4 to win the match in regular time. You can get 16/5 about an FC victory at a venue where they were hammered 68-6 on their last visit.
The Black and Whites are a better team than in 2024 though, and the closeness of these two sides in the league table makes the 20/1 for a draw an appetising prospect. Handicap-wise, Hull are given a 10.5-point start on the standard two-way market, with the Airlie Birds 5/6 to win under those conditions and the Rhinos 10/11.
Team News
Leeds Rhinos have a triple boost this week with three key players set to make their return.
Half-back Brodie Croft has been named in the squad after recovering from a hamstring injury, while joint-captain Cameron Smith is back in contention having missed the last nine matches with an ankle injury.
Also returning to the squad is veteran winger Ryan Hall, who picked up an ankle injury against former club Hull KR. Hooker Andy Ackers is close to returning but is not risked this week.
Hull FC also have a key man back with forward Brad Fash named in the squad following a calf injury.
Jack Charles is also included after an injury of his own, and Charles and Fash for Will Kirby and Matty Laidlaw are the two changes made by boss John Cartwright.
Leeds Rhinos vs Hull FC Stats
- Hull have lost their last 3 games, but still boast a 100% record on opposition turf in 7 matches this season
- Having lost only 3 of their first 27 home Super League matches against Hull FC, Leeds have been beaten in five of the last eight meetings at AMT Headingley
Leeds Rhinos 1-12 points @ 19/10
Followers of this column will be aware that I am a Leeds boy and generally when I back Leeds to win they lose, and vice versa. So it may require a pinch of salt to go with the optimism I have for a Leeds win in this fixture.
Of the three meetings between the teams last year, Leeds won two and Hull one, with two of those games relatively close and the other a whopping 68-6 win for the Rhinos.
That was a bad Hull side and this one is far stronger, so there is every reason to believe the Black and Whites can come to Headingley and win, especially with the extra motivation of chief executive Richie Myler wanting to get one over on his former employers.
I have said several times this season that I feel Hull are a team overperforming, and despite their obvious improvements from the shambles of last year, they are not yet as good a team as some of their results have suggested.
Leeds, on the other hand, seem to be producing the kind of performances and spirit that many did not expect - including yours truly, and the return of Croft, Smith and Hall is massive.
I think this will be a really good game and one that could see two sides trading blows for 80 minutes, with whoever is in front at the final bell the obvious winner.
I'm backing Leeds to keep their noses in front in a tight contest.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
Lewis Martin anytime tryscorer @ 6/4
I'm a big believer in backing the reliable horse in the tryscorer market and have come up trumps more times than not this year with the likes of Edwin Ipape, Jai Field, George Williams and Hull outside back Lewis Martin.
The latter scored on his last outing against Huddersfield at Magic Weekend - albeit in defeat - and if my instincts are decent this week then he will be crossing for a try again in another defeat. At an implied probability of 40%, the 6/4 odds look to be in our favour.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
You can read all our latest Rugby League Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights Rugby League content hub
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