Leeds have won both their clashes against Bradford so far this season - 17-4 in the Challenge Cup in February and 28-20 at Headingley in the Super League in May.

But prop Brian McDermott reckons the pressure is still on the Rhinos to prove themselves in the third meeting of domestic rugby league's greatest rivalry at Valley Parade on Friday.

The 32-year-old, who is part-way through his testimonial season with the Bulls, said: "We maybe have something to prove to ourselves, but not to anyone else.

"Leeds are going through a bit of a bad patch at the moment, and they probably have quite a bit more to prove, even though we didn't perform in either of our two matches against them.

"Their players will certainly feel they have something to prove to their coach and to their fans, who haven't been too happy with their team recently.

"It is certainly going to be an interesting match because we haven't been playing well and have been getting the results, and Leeds haven't been playing well and haven't been getting the results.

"Mind you, they cannot go from being a good side to a bad side overnight, and you have to look at the players rather than the coach."

Mcdermott added: "We all play rugby league for the kind of matches like Friday, and the week is certainly passing quickly because we are looking forward to it."