Thursday night’s Betfred Super League fixture at The Jungle promises an intense West Yorkshire derby as Castleford Tigers host Huddersfield Giants, two teams struggling near the bottom of the table. With both sides desperate for points, this clash is more than just local bragging rights—it’s a crucial battle to climb out of the relegation zone.
The match kicks off at 20:00 and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+, offering rugby league fans a gripping contest between two sides that have shown flashes of competitiveness despite their tough seasons. Castleford currently sit just above Huddersfield, with only the Salford Red Devils below them in the standings, making every point vital.
Rugby league expert George Riley has weighed in with his predictions and betting insights ahead of the game. He favors Castleford to edge out the Giants by a margin of 1-12 points, with odds of 2/1. Riley also highlights Louis Senior as a key player to watch, tipping him to score at any time with odds of 5/4. These predictions come amid a backdrop of squad challenges and disciplinary issues that have shaped both teams’ recent form.
Castleford Tigers head coach Danny McGuire faces added pressure as he is currently under investigation by the Rugby Football League (RFL) over comments he made regarding refereeing standards following their controversial defeat to Wigan Warriors. Despite this off-field distraction, McGuire has named an unchanged 21-man squad, showing faith in his core players. Notably, Liam Horne remains in the squad despite a disciplinary hearing, although he will miss the match due to a six-game ban imposed after the Wigan loss. The Tigers plan to challenge this ban, but Horne’s absence is a significant blow for the home side.
In terms of team selection, full-back Tex Hoy has suffered a setback, meaning Zac Cini continues in the role. Fletcher Rooney, named last week but not featuring, is still not quite ready to return. Rowan Milnes, who was dropped last week, makes the bench and may come on if Chris Atkin shifts to hooker during the game. The halves pairing features Daejarn Asi and Chris Atkin, with recent recruit Joe Stimson starting from the bench alongside George Griffin and Sam Hall.
The Castleford starting XIII is as follows: Zac Cini at full-back; Josh Simm, Louis Senior, Sam Wood, and Innes Senior on the wings and centers; Daejarn Asi and Chris Atkin in the halves; Brad Singleton, George Hill, and Tom Amone in the pack; and George Lawler, Alex Mellor, and Joe Westerman completing the forwards. The interchange bench includes Rowan Milnes, George Griffin, Sam Hall, and Joe Stimson.
Huddersfield Giants, meanwhile, welcome back winger Adam Swift and prop Oliver Wilson, both returning from injury and named in the matchday squad. Their inclusion is a huge boost for coach Luke Robinson, who has seen his team struggle through an injury-ravaged campaign. Swift and Wilson replace Connor Carr and Aidan McGowan, who drop out of the squad.
The Giants’ starting lineup features George Flanagan at full-back; Jacob Gagai, Taane Milne, Sam Halsall, and Adam Swift in the backline; halves pairing Tui Lolohea and Matt Frawley; and Oliver Wilson, Zac Woolford, and NRL recruit Tristan Powell in the forward pack. The bench includes Tom Burgess, George King, Ashton Golding, and Kieran Rush, providing depth and utility options.
Both teams come into the match on the back of narrow defeats to Wigan Warriors, underscoring their competitiveness despite their low league positions. Huddersfield lost in the dying seconds, while Castleford also suffered a late loss last week. These close calls have only intensified the urgency for points as the season progresses.
George Riley’s analysis suggests this game could swing either way, but he leans towards Castleford, especially given their home advantage and squad consistency. He notes that Huddersfield’s poor showing in recent matches, including a heavy loss to Catalans Dragons, has dented their confidence. The handicap favors Castleford by a converted try, reflecting the tight nature of the contest.
A key subplot is the Senior brothers, Innes and Louis, both former Huddersfield academy players now starring for Castleford. Innes missed last week’s game due to an ankle injury but is named for this match, while Louis is tipped to be a significant attacking threat, especially with some doubt over Innes’s fitness. Will Tate’s impressive two tries last week in Innes’s absence highlight the potency of Castleford’s wing options.
Betting markets reflect these dynamics, with Castleford priced at 8/15 to claim their fifth win of the season and Huddersfield at 8/5 for their third. The draw is a long shot at 18/1. Adam Swift and Innes Senior are both considered strong candidates for the first try scorer at 6/1, with anytime try scorer odds of 10/11.
Off the field, Castleford’s situation is complicated by McGuire’s investigation and Horne’s ban, which could affect team morale. Meanwhile, Huddersfield’s injury woes have somewhat eased with key players returning, though they still face an uphill battle to climb the table. The Giants have shown resilience but need to convert close games into wins to avoid slipping further.
As the match unfolds at Wheldon Road, fans can expect a fiercely contested derby fueled by local pride and the pressing need for points. Both sides have the talent and motivation to make this a memorable encounter, with the outcome likely to have significant implications for their Super League survival hopes.
Whether Castleford can capitalize on their home advantage and squad stability, or Huddersfield can harness their returning stars to spark a turnaround, remains to be seen. One thing’s for sure: this West Yorkshire derby will deliver the drama and intensity that rugby league fans crave.
