Castleford Tigers v Hull FC predictions and rugby league tips

Free rugby league tips, best bets and analysis for Castleford Tigers v Hull FC in the Betfred Super League on Thursday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Action, 7.45pm Thursday

Best bet

Hull FC
2pts 10-11 Betfair, Paddy Power

Match preview

Castleford Tigers and Hull FC endured mixed emotions in the Betfred Challenge Cup semi-finals last Saturday but fortunes could be reversed in their Super League dust-up at the Jungle.

Hull fell short of a trip to Wembley following a 33-18 defeat to St Helens but the Tigers will be stepping out at the national stadium next month after a shock 35-20 hammering of Warrington at Leigh Sports Village.

However, victory may have come at a cost for Cas, who will have to make do without Niall Evalds, Jake Trueman, Cheyse Blair, Daniel Smith and Gareth O'Brien on Thursday. That could hand the edge to the Black & Whites, who will be without Josh Griffin for the rest of the season after he ruptured an Achilles in their semi-final loss.

Hull can still field a side dripping in quality, though, and they can get back on track following back-to-back defeats to Saints in a fixture in which they have dominated recently, winning five of the last six meetings.

The Tigers were looking tame prior to their cup triumph, shipping 124 points in their previous three league matches, and Hull, although more defensive in nature, can make the most of a Cas side who may already be distracted by their upcoming trip to Wembley.

Hull have the third-best defensive record in the competition ahead of round nine and if they can cage the Tigers, the Airlie Birds have the talent in attack to silence the home crowd.

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