Hull KR vs Hull FC predictions: Robins can double up against local rivals
- Hull KR have won three of the last four derbies
- Ryan Hall has scored four tries in the last two meetings
- Recommended Bet: Ryan Hall Anytime Tryscorer
The second Hull derby of the season takes place on Sunday as Hull KR host Hull FC at Craven Park.
KR won the reverse fixture 40-0 on Good Friday and have recently had the better of things between the two sides, winning three of their four meetings since the start of 2022.
The hosts on Sunday sit four points ahead of their neighbours in the Super League standings and have looked good at home, winning six of their last seven games at Craven Park.
While they will be facing a much-improved FC outfit from earlier in the season, the Robins still look the ones to beat and could make it a double with a helping hand from an old favourite.
Team news
Hull KR raised eyebrows by deciding against extending the loan spells of Tanguy Zenon and Fouad Yaha, with the pair returning to parent club Catalans Dragons.
The Robins will also be without back-rower Elliot Minchella due to a shoulder problem.
However, wing Ethan Ryan is set to return following a broken jaw and academy half-back Lennie Ellis has also been included in the squad.
Hull FC have fewer selection issues to contend with and Adam Swift, Tex Hoy and Liam Sutcliffe are all in line to feature.
The stats
Hull KR have won three of the pair's last four meetings, most recently winning 40-0 in the traditional Good Friday clash between these two.
Ryan Hall grabbed a hat-trick in that match, while he also scored last September when the Robins ran out the 36-4 winners.
Hall has nine Super League tries this season, one more than FC's Swift, who has crossed eight times, while his colleague Darnell McIntosh has run in on seven occasions.
Hull KR have won six of their last seven games at home in all competitions, while Hull FC have lost their last two on the road.
Prediction
Hull KR have been the better side over the last 18 months and Willie Peters has got them playing well at home.
The Robins have rolled with the punches during their recent injury issues and seem a more resilient outfit than Hull FC, who, as is often the case, have plenty of talent but are struggling to gel under Tony Smith.
Smith may have to wait until 2024 to see his plans come to fruition and he is unlikely to be offered a warm welcome on his first return to Craven Park after leaving KR last July and subsequently taking over the reins at their nearest rivals.
Hall made a tryscoring return to the side for June's Challenge Cup win over Salford and demonstrated his class with his hat-trick earlier this season.
He also scored in the pair's meeting last September and his display could be vital to justifying his team's match-winner odds of 5/8 with LiveScore Bet.
With that price perhaps shorter than ideal, customers may look elsewhere and Hall is worth considering at slightly longer in the tryscorer odds.
