Leeds Rhinos will have to dust themselves down following their defeat to Wigan Warriors as they prepare to host Hull FC at Headingley on Friday night.
Leeds have been in strong form in recent weeks but the Rhinos were brought down to earth when they were thumped 40-8 at home by the Warriors last Saturday.
With the League Leaders' Shield seemingly out of reach, the temptation for head coach Brad Arthur would be to rest his players this week ahead of their play-off semi-final.
However, with Lachie Miller out injured, Arthur is eager to see the rest of his full-strength backline get a run out and no mercy is set to be shown to a Hull FC side who are joint-bottom of the Super League standings on 14 points.
Leeds Rhinos v Hull FC Tips Summary
Best Bet - Leeds Rhinos -24.5 handicap @ 10/11
Alternative Bet - Ash Handley anytime tryscorer @ 20/21
Bet Builder - Leeds Rhinos to win & Maika Sivo, Brodie Croft & Harry Newman anytime tryscorers @ 11/5
Leeds Rhinos v Hull FC Prediction
Best Bet: Leeds Rhinos -24.5 handicap @ 10/11
Beaten in all departments by a ruthless Wigan side last weekend, Leeds might have just been handed a timely reminder of the levels they will need if they are to be crowned champions at Old Trafford next month.
The loss of Miller is a significant blow to the Rhinos' attacking game and now the backline will need to be rejigged to try to fill the void.
Determined to make sure his back division is running smoothly ahead of the semi-finals, Arthur has confirmed he will go with the best available attack for this clash against the Airlie Birds.
The Black & Whites earned a shock 24-16 win over Leeds back in March but much has changed in the fortunes of these sides since then.
Leeds have won three of their last four games against Hull FC, in a spell that included a 68-6 home win for the Rhinos in September 2024.
The Airlie Birds could be on the end of a backlash here and Leeds are backed to respond to their defeat to Wigan with a comprehensive win on Friday, covering the handicap in the process.
Alternative Bet: Ash Handley anytime tryscorer @ 20/21
Getting himself in top try-scoring form at this important stage of the season, it's hard to overlook Leeds' Ash Handley in the anytime tryscorer market.
Having gone three games without a try, Handley has crossed in all of his last three appearances against the York Knights, St Helens and Wigan.
Against a Hull FC defence that conceded 44 points in their last outing away at Toulouse, look to Handley to add to his nine tries for the Super League season on Friday.
Leeds Rhinos v Hull FC Bet Builder Tip
Leeds Rhinos to win
Maika Sivo anytime tryscorer
Brodie Croft anytime tryscorer
Harry Newman anytime tryscorer
Pays 11/5
With Leeds backed for the win on Friday night, the trio of Maika Sivo, Brodie Croft and Harry Newman are all fancied in the anytime tryscorer market.
Returning from injury, Sivo is backed to add to his remarkable 29 tries for the league campaign here, while Croft has scored in nine of his last 10 appearances for Leeds and is also fancied to touch down.
Playing his last season for the Rhinos, Newman recently scored a try against St Helens and can use his excellent running lines to cut through the Hull FC defence on Friday night to bag himself another score here.
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Key Match Stats
Leeds Rhinos have won five of their last seven matches in Super League
Hull FC are on a two-game losing streak, having lost to Warrington Wolves and Toulouse in their last two outings
Hull FC have lost seven of their last nine away games in Super League
Leeds have won three of their last four meetings with Hull FC
The Rhinos are on a three-game winning streak at home against the Airlie Birds
Read more rugby league betting tips and predictions on site.
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.
