Leeds Rhinos vs Hull KR Prediction: League leaders can come out on top

Leeds seek a third straight win as they welcome Betfred Super League leaders Hull KR to AMT Headingley (20:00) for a huge Friday night clash that will tell us much about both teams.

Rovers are rampant but the Rhinos have renewed resolve this season under head coach Brad Arthur, so can they produce a big performance to mix things up at the top of the table? Below you can find my Leeds Rhinos vs Hull KR predictions. 

Team news

Four points and five Super League places separate the two sides but Hull KR boss Willie Peters has to shuffle his pack ahead of the trip to West Yorkshire.

The setbacks come on the wings where first choice finishers Joe Burgess and Tom Davies are both missing. Burgess failed his head injury assessment in the Hull derby win last weekend so is not available for selection. To make things worse for the Robins, Davies suffered a shoulder injury in the same game so there will be a new-look wing pairing on show against the Rhinos.

Lee Kershaw is one obvious replacement, and he is back in the squad after a short loan at Castleford. Utility Jack Broadbent can play wing, centre, full-back or in the halves and was named on the bench last week - he would appear likely to get a chance again too.

Dropping out of the initial squad along with the two wingers is Harvey Horne, with Bill Leyland and Zach Fishwick included.

Hosts Leeds are boosted by the return of their key prop Mikolaj Oledzki after his one-match ban and he replaces youngster Jack Smith in the only change to a stable squad.

Leeds Rhinos vs Hull KR Odds

Rugby League Odds

Handicap 3-way Hull KR -2 @ 1/1

There is no doubt Hull KR are weakened by the absence of Davies and Burgess on the wings but to what extent? Is their absence enough to give Leeds a sniff here? I think it enhances the Rhinos' prospects considerably but I still have the Robins to win.

I genuinely don't think Broadbent - if he gets the nod - is too much of a downgrade, and as a former Leeds boy he will be all out for a big performance. With things kept intact where it really matters in the middle of the field, I think Hull KR can still win this one, but may have to weather a Leeds storm whipped up by the vocal South Stand at AMT Headingley.

Jake Connor has been at his enigmatic best in the blue and amber and the eyebrow-raising signing from Huddersfield currently leads the way in the Steve Prescott Man of Steel charts. If he is on it then Leeds can definitely win this game, but I again have to trust my gut that Peters' men may prove too strong.

The impressive results are coming thick and fast for Rovers who are worthy of top spot in the table and came through on our -10 tip in the derby to land at 11/10.

A win here with men missing would seriously underline their credentials and I'm backing them to do it in an entertaining game.

Jack Broadbent anytime tryscorer @ 5/4

The romantic 9/4 Kallum Watkins debut try scorer bet also landed last week on his return to the Rhinos, while our tip on Broadbent was thwarted by his demotion to the bench.

Backing him to start this week I will keep faith in him to cross for a try during 80 minutes.

There are some good options this week with all wingers available at 5/4 or better, with Peta Hiku (7/4) and Arthur Mourgue (2/1) also catching my eye.

But I'm going to back Broadbent again to score against his former club.

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