Two teams punching above their weight in Super League meet in France on Saturday as Toulouse host York Knights at Stade Ernest-Walton.
The two teams met in last season's Championship Grand Final, with Toulouse winning 10-8 in October.
York got their revenge in April in Round 9 of Super League as they ran out 38-14 winners on home soil.
After both teams were handed a place in Super League thanks to the IMG grading system, many tipped the pair to struggle.
It is fair to say both teams have silenced their critics in recent weeks and this weekend's clash has the potential to steal the headlines.
Toulouse sit ninth on 12 points and York are one place behind them and are only trailing their French opponents due to their inferior points difference.
Toulouse v York Knights Tips Summary
Best Bet - Toulouse -14.5 @ 1/1
Alternative Bet - 1st-half betting 2-way - York Knights +6.5 @ 8/11
Bet Builder - Over 52.5 points, Olly Ashall-Bott to score a try & Mathieu Jussaume to score a try @ 9/2
Toulouse v York Knights Prediction
Best Bet: Toulouse -14.5 @ 1/1
Any fixture between Toulouse and York this season would have probably been avoided by the neutrals. The former Championship clubs were expected to struggle and just make up the numbers according to the critics.
However, before Saturday's showdown, both teams have found their rhythm and are in their best form of the campaign.
Toulouse have won back-to-back games and posted 106 points in the process. They hammered French rivals Catalans Dragons 60-18 at Magic Weekend in Liverpool and followed that up with a 46-0 win over St Helens on Merseyside.
York have also hit their stride and have won three games in a row for the first time this season.
The Knights deserve immense respect for their improved performances, but the reality is, they beat three struggling teams in Castleford Tigers, Huddersfield Giants and Hull FC.
The weather forecast suggests Toulouse will have a huge advantage in the searing heat and their recent scoring exploits are hard to ignore.
With their fans behind them, they can cover the handicap in what should be an exciting game.
Alternative Bet: 1st-half betting 2-way - York Knights +6.5 @ 8/11
York's recent form suggests they will be competitive to start with, before falling away once the conditions start to take their toll.
The Knights have been able to hang in and cause problems and they have already proved they can beat Toulouse this season, although that victory came in Yorkshire.
York have actually won on their last two visits to Toulouse and they will be right in this fixture before Toulouse's players take control in the second half.
Toulouse v York Knights Bet Builder Tip
Over 52.5 points
Olly Ashall-Bott to score a try
Mathieu Jussaume to score a try
Pays @ 9/2
A high-scoring game looks inevitable this weekend, especially with the recent form of both. Toulouse have scored 106 points in two games, but before that they had conceded at least 36 points in three consecutive matches.
York have scored at least 20 points in four successive games and confidence will be high in their camp after three wins on the bounce.
Toulouse pair Olly Ashall-Bott and Mathieu Jussaume should be considered in the anytime tryscorer market.
Jussaume scored a hat-trick last week and has hit a real purple patch, having scored five in two, while Ashall-Bott grabbed a brace against Catalans and has 11 tries to his name this season.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
Toulouse have won back-to-back games in Super League
The French side have scored 106 points in two weeks
Toulouse have lost seven games in a row at home, although they scored 16 points or more in six of those ties
York have won three games in a row in Super League
The Knights have lost seven of their 11 away matches this season
York beat Toulouse 38-14 in their last meeting in April
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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.
