Hull FC v London Broncos betting preview, tips, team news & TV details

TV: Sky Sports Arena & Main Event, 7.45pm Thursday

For much of the Betfred Super League season, London have threatened to defy the odds and survive their first season back in the top flight.

An epic run of three straight wins in June, which included the scalp of leaders St Helens, hauled them off the bottom of the table and dragged several other sides intro the relegation scrap.

But back-to-back hammerings by Castleford and Warrington have put the Broncos back in the trapdoor spot and bookmakers quote Danny Ward’s side at 8-11 for an immediate return to the Betfred Championship.

There are eight games left and London’s run-in looks tough starting with a trip to third-placed Hull.

The Broncos have been dismissed as 13-2 chances and handed a 20-point handicap start with the hosts 1-7 to snap a two-game losing streak of their own.

The Black & Whites lost the derby at neighbours Hull KR and were then thrashed 40-12 at home to St Helens.

Mercurial half-back Albert Kelly injured a hamstring during that defeat and will sit out this assignment.

Hull aren’t a one-man team by any stretch of the imagination but Kelly’s absence could be significant. Lee Radford’s team have lost four of the five league games missed by the Australian in 2019.

The sole victory came in golden-point extra-time at Wigan.

The counter stat is that Hull have have shown great resilience after heavy losses. All four of their defeats by more than 30 points have been followed by a victory.

However, three of those wins came by fewer than the 20-point line, so all things considered backing the Broncos with the start looks the bet.

It’s also worth chancing a punt on Hull veteran Gareth Ellis being named man of the match. The 38-year-old has performed a minor miracle just to be named in the squad after suffering an horrific eye injury which required 40 stitches last time out.

A decent display in a Hull win from the former international could make odds of 20-1 against him taking the individual honours look generous.

Recommendations
London +20.5
2pts 4-5 Sky Bet
G Ellis man of the match
1pt 20-1 Betfred, Sky Bet

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