Hull FC vs Catalans Dragons Prediction: Big up Staines against the West Hull massive

In-form Catalans Dragons head to Hull FC's MKM Stadium on Sunday looking to complete a perfect month of victories, but after ousting the champions Hull KR last week they will come up against an home side full of confidence after their thrilling win over Leeds (15:00 BST, Sky Sports+).

The Black and Whites needed that Rhinos win, but can they back it up against a French side who have won every game in March? Here are my Hull FC vs Catalans Dragons predictions, Betfred's match odds and all the team news from both clubs.

Hull FC vs Catalans Dragons Odds

Team News

Hull FC boss John Cartwright makes just one change this week after seeing his side overturn a half-time deficit to score 10 unanswered second-half points in that epic win over Leeds.

And that alteration is enforced, with half-back Cade Cust picking up a one-match suspension this week - his place in the squad goes to young back-row forward Lennon Clark. So who will deputise for Cust in the halves against the Dragons? Aiden Sezer remains out with a pectoral injury so the place alongside Jake Arthur is up for grabs. My money would be on Callum Kemp, who was named on the bench against Leeds but not used.

The rest of the Hull team should pick itself, with Zak Hardaker at full-back and last season's top tryscorer Lewis Martin joining veteran Tom Briscoe on the wings, outside of centres Arthur Romano - a former Dragon - and Davy Litten.

Hull's matchday squad is starting to look stronger, but the injured list remains lengthy. Sezer, Will Pryce, Herman Ese'ese, Harvey Barron, Joe Batchelor, Jed Cartwright, Ryan Westerman, Joe Ward and Yusuf Aydin are all out.

Catalans suffered a blow this week with star man Mathieu Laguerre ruled out for six weeks. The France international suffered an ankle sprain in last week's win over champions Hull KR. That is one of four changes, with Julian Bousquet, Tiaki Chan and Josh Allen also making way for Tommy Makinson, Ugo Tison, Alexis Lis and Leo Darrelatour.

Handicap 3-way: Catalans +6 @ 1/1

This is a fascinating match-up between two big clubs that you could class as under-achievers, both coming into the game off the back of fantastic wins. I certainly did not have Hull to beat Leeds, especially when trailing at half-time, and few expected Catalans to oust the struggling champions KR at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.

So this unpredictable Betfred Super League season throws us up another early contest that could go either way.

Both sides will miss key men here. Laguerre is a staple of the Dragons' back row and his absence will weaken the visitors. But the loss of Cust for Hull is arguably more key, with the Black and Whites having to do without their two main playmakers as Sezer is still not ready to return.

It is that uncertainty in Hull's creative axis that has made me lean towards Catalans. The Dragons get a six-point start which I also like, in a game I feel could be close. Hull's home form was patchy last year, and has brought two wins and a loss in their first three this term. That Leeds victory was huge for confidence and could well serve as a springboard, but we must not underestimate the opposition, who arrive in good form.

The French side were woeful last year and after a slow start look like they are getting their act together. Super League] wins over Rovers and Leigh either side of a thumping Betfred Challenge Cup win over Oldham have made for a magic March, and that momentum can cause Hull a few issues.

It's seventh against eighth in the table with just two points between the sides, and a glance at last year's head-to-heads shows that all three games were won by the away side. Hull enjoyed two healthy victories in Perpignan but the most recent match in September yielded a 26-22 Dragons win.

I'm sitting on the fence for the match outcome but taking Catalans with the handicap.

Charlie Staines Anytime Tryscorer @ 11/8

There are some good options in the tryscorer market this week, with Lewis Martin the most likely to cross at the MKM Stadium. Hull's top scorer last year is just 4/7 with Betfred to grab a try despite coming up short in the win over Leeds. Martin did, however, score a double in the previous league game at Wakefield and remains the home team's most dangerous finisher.

Other options to consider include Arthur Romano against his former club - especially when priced at an attractive 6/4. I like both Martin and Romano as options, but am going to opt for one of the most exciting players for the visitors.

Full-back Charlie Staines has already returned for us a couple of times this year. He has four tries in his last four games and at 5/4 I'm picking him to pinch another here.

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