Catalans Dragons vs Hull FC Predictions: Dragons are expected to dominate this encounter

The Catalans Dragons return to the Gilbert Brutus Stadium as they host Hull FC on Saturday night. Coming off a defeat last weekend, the Dragons aim to reverse their fortunes in this match, while Hull FC secured their first win of the season against the London Broncos.

For the first time this season, the Catalans Dragons experienced defeat, falling to the Leeds Rhinos in an 18-10 match. The Dragons had a challenging start, trailing 10-2 at halftime. Despite an improved performance in the second half where they played to an 8-8 draw, it wasn't enough to secure even a draw. Despite last week's three sin-binnings in Leeds, none resulted in a ban, allowing Catalans Dragons to name an unchanged squad. French prop Paul Seguier, who returned from suspension last week but did not play at Headingley, is poised to push for inclusion in the upcoming match.

Hull FC secured a hard-fought 28-24 victory over the London Broncos last weekend, putting an end to their challenging start to the season. The game saw Hull FC make a strong start, establishing a 16-4 lead by halftime. However, their second-half performance was subpar, scoring only 12 points while conceding 20. Despite the dip in performance, Hull FC managed to clinch the win, providing them with valuable momentum heading into the upcoming game.

For this match, Hull FC makes one change to their squad, welcoming back forward Herman Ese’ese after his two-match suspension. Jack Brown is excluded as he serves a one-game suspension. With 13 senior players either injured or suspended, loan pair Matty Russell and Joe Bullock retain their positions. Russell, in particular, made a noteworthy impact on the wing in the previous week's game.

In many respects, this fixture seems ideal for the Catalans Dragons to rebound from their first loss of the season. They emerged victorious in both encounters against Hull FC last year, including a commanding 38-6 win in this particular home fixture. Based on Hull's recent performances, there's little to suggest they can secure a win in this game. While their narrow victory over London last week may have alleviated some early-season concerns, even coach Smith would likely acknowledge the shortcomings in that performance. The ongoing injury and suspension challenges have added to Hull's difficulties. A wounded Catalans Dragons side often proves to be a formidable opponent, and I anticipate the home team responding well, potentially covering the handicap in the process.