The Black and Whites host the Robins on Thursday evening
Hull FC take on Hull KR on Thursday night
Hull FC and Hull KR go head to head in the third derby of the season on Thursday night.
Neither side is in a great place at present, with the Robins dropping out of the top six last week following their defeat to Warrington Wolves.
That was KR’s third defeat in four games and something has to change if the club are to reach the play-offs and give themselves a chance of defending the title they won at Old Trafford last October.
Hull, on the other hand, haven’t won since beating Huddersfield Giants at the start of June and that was only their fifth Super League win of the season with the club sitting in 13th at present.
As such, the derby means far more than just local bragging rights this time, with both sides determined to get back on the horse and build some momentum as the run-in approaches.
Here’s how we think they could line-up.
Starting with the home side, who have been boosted by the fit again Lewis Martin and the returning Max Wood, Andy Last can be expected to make a couple of changes.
All being well, he’ll throw Martin straight back into the action, ensuring he will have his first choice outside back line-up available this week. Expect the rest of the line-up to remain fairly similar.
There’s no Yusuf Aydin due to a head knock, of course, so Wood can be expected to be the man to step onto the bench.
Willie Peters has a couple of decisions to make this week, with Mikey Lewis and Noah Booth dropping out of the fold due to suspension and injury.
The head coach has options, with Ryan Hampshire and Jack Charles being available. However, Arthur Mourgue is arguably the most experienced half-back option at his disposal and with Jack Broadbent able to step into the team at full-back if needs be, that might appeal.
If he’s fit, surely Joe Burgess comes back into the side on the wing to replace Booth. Jai Whitbread can expect to step back into the fold too after dropping to 18th man last time out.
Tom Amone and Sauaso Sue have been the preferred starting middle unit this season and a return to that could see Dean Hadley moved back out to back-row.
Predicted Hull FC v Hull KR teams
Hull FC: Logan Moy; Harvey Barron, Zak Hardaker, Davy Litten, Lewis Martin; Jake Arthur, Aidan Sezer; Harvie Hill, Amir Bourouh, Hugo Salabio; Joe Batchelor, Ethan O’Neill; James Bell.
Bench: Herman Ese’ese, Max Wood, Cade Cust, Lennon Clark
Hull KR: Jack Broadbent; Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess; Arthur Mourgue, Tyrone May; Sauaso Sue, Karl Lawton, Tom Amone; Dean Hadley, James Batchelor, Elliot Minchella.
Bench: Jez Litten, Sam Luckley, Jai Whitbread, Rhyse Martin.