Huddersfield Giants will hope to secure just their third win of the Super League season when they take on York Knights at Magic Weekend on Saturday.
The annual event in the Super League calendar moves to Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium in what RFL chiefs hope will be a blockbuster few days to try and grow the sport.
Saturday's clash is the curtain raiser for the event, and on paper, it is not the most glamorous tie.
Huddersfield are 14th on four points and York are only four points and one place better off, but there's every chance this game could deliver some drama for the neutrals.
Huddersfield Giants v York Knights Tips Summary
Best Bet - York Knights +8.5 @ 4/5
Alternative Bet - To win both halves - neither team @ 4/5
Bet Builder - 1st-half handicap - Huddersfield Giants -4.5, Huddersfield Giants to win & First scoring play - Huddersfield try @ 11/5
Huddersfield Giants v York Knights Prediction
Best Bet: York Knights +8.5 @ 4/5
There is nothing to split the two teams ahead of kick-off, and it is surprising to see York considered outsiders.
While Huddersfield are showing signs of improvement, York come into this game on the back of a hard-fought 20-14 win over Castleford Tigers away from home.
York have already lost 34-14 to Huddersfield this season, but since then, the Giants have lost nine matches on the spin.
The Giants are capable of winning this, but on the handicap, York are the play here in a game that promises to have plenty of twists and turns.
Alternative Bet: To win both halves - neither team @ 4/5
Both teams have plenty to prove and at a neutral venue it is tough to say who has the upper hand.
Last week's win over Castleford was York's second away victory of the campaign, but both sides have conceded too many points to trust them to win both halves.
Both teams have conceded over 38 points on average in their last five outings, and that points to an end-to-end battle, rather than one team dominating from the outset.
Huddersfield Giants v York Knights Bet Builder Tip
1st-half handicap - Huddersfield Giants -4.5
Huddersfield Giants to win
First scoring play - Huddersfield try
Pays @ 11/5
Backing Huddersfield to win has been a recipe for disaster this season, but last week's gutsy display against Wakefield Trinity was a line in the sand for Jim Lenihan's side.
The Australian has yet to guide his team to a victory since he took over, but their 29-23 defeat to Wakefield Trinity was the best performance they've produced since he stepped into the hot seat.
York are stepping into unknown territory this weekend as they play in their first Magic Weekend, but the Giants have a tremendous record at the event, with 12 wins, five losses and one win to their name since the concept started.
Huddersfield's players will have been buoyed by that performance against Wakefield and at a neutral venue they can just drag themselves over the line in what should be a tight battle.
The Giants were leading 18-8 against York at half-time in their last meeting and they can make another fast start here.
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Key Match Stats
Huddersfield Giants have lost nine games in a row in Super League
Huddersfield's last win came in April against York as they ran out 34-14 winners
The Giants have won 12 of their 18 games at Magic Weekend
York Knights will make their first appearance at Magic Weekend on Saturday
York have won two of their last 10 matches in all competitions
The Knights ended a run of six defeats by beating Castleford Tigers 20-14 last weekend
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
