CASTLEFORD TIGERS MATCH PREVIEW | ROUND 4

Our Match Preview as we take on the Castleford Tigers at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle on Friday evening, looking to secure our second win of the season.

THE STORY SO FAR 📖

The Giants have had an up & down start to the 2024 Betfred Super League season, with a superb opening day victory over 2023 high flyers Leigh Leopards at the Leopards den, and then recent defeats against St Helens and Wigan Warriors, however with an encouraging display against Wigan, in which spirit and fightback was shown, the Giants now have a platform to build on.

With Captain Luke Yates returning from his suspension, Huddersfield have their leader back, however Leroy Cudjoe has done a stellar job in his absence, racking up the second most tackles in the division.

Castleford have struggled in their start to the 2024 season, being defeated by Wigan, Salford and Warrington, will be eager to kickstart their season and will see Friday as a real opportunity to do just that, with a packed home crowd at the Jungle the Giants will need to be on their game.

Craig Lingard's men looked strong vs Salford, and came roaring back after falling behind early on, losing out 26-22 with tries coming from former Giant Sam Wood, Jack Broadbent, Joe Westerman and Liam Horne.

THE OPPOSITION 🐯

Castleford have had a major overhaul of their squad in 2024, after a season which saw them battle relegation with Wakefield Trinity, with no real standout names in the squad, which isn't particularly a bad thing, Cas were wrote off by many as one of the League's bottom teams.

As stated above, however, recent performances show that they are not to be taken lightly and can mix it with the top clubs, taking the lead vs Warrington and battling with Salford.

11 signings added to a core squad meant that Castleford looked to solve their issues of last season, coupled with a new coaching team, the Tigers will look to secure their first win of the season on Friday evening.

Here, is the 'Opta Stats Pack' for this weeks matchup. 📈

• Huddersfield Giants have won six of their last seven Super League matches against Castleford Tigers (L1), including each of their last four; a fifth consecutive win in this game would be the Giants’ outright longest winning run against the Tigers in the history of the competition (also W4 from July 2006 to March 2009).
•   Castleford Tigers have lost their last five Super League matches, scoring just eight points per game across those matches; the last time the Tigers recorded a longer losing run in the competition was a six-match span from August 2022 to March 2023.
•   Huddersfield Giants have won four of their last seven Super League away games (L3) after losing seven in a row previously – the Giants have scored exactly 16 points in each of their first two away games this season (W1 L1).
•  Only Hull KR (5.0) have conceded fewer penalties per game than Castleford Tigers (5.7) in this season’s Super League, while the Tigers are also one of just two teams yet to be shown a yellow card in the league this term (also London Broncos); they are one of three sides to have had a men sent off however (also Hull FC and Catalans Dragons).
•   Only Warrington Wolves’ Matthew Duffy (60) has made more runs in the 2024 Super League than Castleford Tigers’ Jacob Miller (57), while only Hull FC’s Jordan Lane (137) has made more tackles than Huddersfield Giants’ Leroy Cudjoe (128) this term.

WHO TO WATCH 👀

• Jacob Miller - The Half signed from close neighbours Wakefield has impressed for the Tigers in the early rounds, making the second most carries in the League.
• Jack Broadbent - One of Super League's brightest talents has carried on his form into 2024, crossing for a try vs Salford in their narrow defeat.
• Luke Hooley - The full-back signed from Leeds is a mean goal-kicker and also a running threat, the Giants will have to watch out for him.

TICKETING INFORMATION 🎟️

Tickets are on sale online, from the Ticket Office at the John Smith's Stadium and over the phone, please note, that you can purchase digital tickets from our ticketing site, or Castleford's using the links provided in this article, both benefit the club.

Tickets will stay on sale until 3:00pm on Friday 8th March. Adult Prices will increase on the day so please book in advance.

There will also be a coach to take supporters to our first away game, departing from the stadium at 5:30pm then at 5:45pm from Bays A,B or C at the Bus Station.

SQUAD NEWS 💪

Ian Watson has named his 21-Man Squad for this weekends game, with a few enforced changes as Matty English drops out with a failed HIA, and Adam Milner also misses out on a second reunion with Castleford, picking up a one-match suspension.

In more positive news, Captain Luke Yates returns after his suspension in pre-season, with Harry Rushton also returning to the squad after a long lay off due to a ruptured ACL.

IAN WATSON & OLLY WILSON PREVIEW 🗣️

Head Coach Ian Watson and half Adam Clune spoke to the media ahead of our game on Friday, with both covering a number of topics, which GiantsTV members can view below.

WATCH HERE!

WHAT KIT WILL WE WEAR AT THE JUNGLE? 🟣

We will debut our Third Shirt at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle on Friday evening, the striking pink and purple shirt will be visible on Sky Sports cameras in preparation for the Magic clash vs Castleford, click here to browse our 2024 range.

HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE GAME 👇

Giants club social media accounts will also keep supporters updated, with team news, picture and video content during the build up and then match updates throughout the game, the main hub for this is X (Formerly Twitter). Follow us on: Twitter |Facebook | Instagram

Highlights will be available on our YouTube channel 24 Hours after the game, alongside a Full-Match replay on GiantsTV for subscribers to enjoy.

Sky Sports subscribers can watch it live on Sky Sports Arena, as can SuperLeague+ subscribers – Members can save £30 on an annual SuperLeague+ pass, sign up here.