Hull FC vs Huddersfield Giants preview - prediction, team news, talking points and stats

Hull FC will be looking to build on last week's win over Warrington Wolves when they travel to Anfield to take on Huddersfield Giants.

Here's this weekend's preview

Talking points

The return of Josh Bowden

Over a year has passed since he last laced up his boots for a Super League game but Magic Weekend will see an end to Bowden’s injury nightmare.

The prop forward injured his knee in May 2018 and for the last 12 months he has been going through an arduous rehabilitation process, patiently working his way back towards full fitness.

A playing return came a fortnight ago for the reserves against Bradford Bulls and after two weeks working on his fitness and testing his knee further, he is finally ready to make the step back up into the first-team.

His return promises to provide Radford with food for thought. Scott Taylor and Mickey Paea have been in fine form this season and appear to have comfortably tied down their starting roles, but could Bowden force his way in?

The top two in sight

Hull FC have an opportunity this weekend. Seeing off Warrington Wolves last weekend at the Halliwell Jones Stadium has taken FC to within four points of the top two and touching distance of Warrington.

As such a win over Huddersfield Giants this weekend could take them to within two points of Steve Price’s side, depending on how they get on against Wigan Warriors on Saturday evening at Anfield.

However, some of the fixtures scheduled for Magic Weekend could play into Hull’s hands. Catalans take on Wakefield Trinity in the game before Hull’s on Saturday afternoon, which Castleford take on St Helens, meaning FC could steal a march on the rest should they be able to see off the Giants.

Magic record

FC may have won three of their last four games at Magic Weekend, but history dictates Hull haven’t always made the most of the weekend.

The Black and Whites have won just five of the 12 games they have played at the event, which of course is now in its fifth home, having spent time in Cardiff, Edinburgh, Manchester and Newcastle.

Kirk Yeaman scores a try for Hull FC against Hull KR at the 2013 Magic Weekend

Five defeats have come against Hull KR, while defeats and Harlequins and St Helens have also come.

But, Lee Radford will undoubtedly be confident that Hull can get Liverpool’s stint as hosts of the Magic Weekend off to a winning start.

Same again

That will be the message from Lee Radford as he delivers his pre-match team talk in the dressing rooms at Anfield.

The Black and Whites were simply exceptional to a man at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, putting their bodies on the line to keep Warrington at bay time and time again. The effort was second to none and they got the rewards they deserved by claiming the two points against the odds.

Scott Taylor of Hull FC scores his side's second try against Warrington Wolves (Image: Ste Jones/RLPIX.COM)

Huddersfield are no mugs. They’ll be flying high in confidence after coming from behind to see off Hull KR last week and they’ll see playing Hull as an opportunity climb even further from the drop zone and towards the top five.

Hull will need to handle the occasion well but repeat the heroics of last Saturday, particularly through the middle against a pack that will attempt to roll Hull down the field.

Prediction: Hull by 10

Team news

Josh Bowden could be set to make his first appearance in over a year having been named in Hull FC’s 19-man squad to take on Huddersfield Giants on Saturday.

The prop forward has been out for more than 12 months with a knee injury and after making a playing return for the reserves a fortnight ago, he is now considered fit enough to make the step back into Lee Radford’s squad.

Hull FC prop Josh Bowden has returned to training (Image: Hull FC)

He is named in the squad alongside fellow front-rowers Scott Taylor and Mickey Paea, who both picked up knocks in last weekend’s victory over Warrington Wolves.

Danny Houghton and Sika Manu both come into the side after recovering from their respective calf and ankle injuries which saw them drop out of the squad last week.

Bureta Faraimo was also a late omission last weekend, but his dead leg issue will keep him out for at least another week.

Possible Hull FC side: Jamie Shaul; Kieran Buchanan, Josh Griffin, Jake Connor, Ratu Naulago; Albert Kelly, Marc Sneyd, Scott Taylor, Danny Houghton, Mickey Paea; Sika Manu, Mark Minichiello; Joe Westerman

Bench from: Josh Bowden, Dean Hadley, Chris Green, Masi Matongo, Brad Fash, Danny Washbrook,

Possible Huddersfield Giants side: Darnell McIntosh, Jermaine McGillvary, Jordan Turner, Jake Wardle, Innes Senior; Lee Gaskell, Oliver Russell; Matty English, Kruise Leeming, Suaia Matagi; Aaron Murphy, Sam Hewitt, Joe Wardle

Bench from: Paul Clough, Alex Mellor, Michael Lawrence, Adam O'Brien, Ukuma Ta'ai, Louis Senior.