Arguably the biggest single contest of the Betfred Super League season takes place on Sunday as Hull Kingston Rovers and Hull FC go head-to-head in the 243rd meeting of the great city rivals.
That's one of two games to be played as Round 18 is wrapped up, so here is everything you need to know about Sunday's huge fixtures.
Hull Kingston Rovers v Hull FC
Where: Sewell Group Craven Park, Hull.
When: 12pm (BST)
TV: Sky Sports Arena
Hull KR's last five: Lost 4-34 @ Leigh (Rd 17), Won 28-12 v Wakefield (Rd 16), Lost 4-38 @ Catalans (Rd 15), Lost 16-26 v Salford (Rd 14), Lost 22-26 v Wigan (Rd 13)
Hull FC's last five: Lost 18-28 v Catalans (Rd 17), Won 34-6 v St Helens (Rd 16), Lost 16-28 @ Leigh (Rd 15), Won 30-18 v Warrington (Rd 14), Lost 22-29 @ Salford (Rd 13)
Betfred match winner odds (80 minutes): Hull KR 8/13, Hull FC 7/5, draw 18/1
Handicap betting (Hull FC +4.5): Hull KR 20/21, Hull FC 4/5
Milestones:
If selected, Kane Linnett will be making his 100th appearance for Hull Kingston Rovers, adding to his 23 for Sydney Roosters and 164 for the North Queensland Cowboys, with whom he won the 2015 NRL Grand Final.
Previous meetings:
Round 8, 2023: Hull FC 0, Hull Kingston Rovers 40
Round 27, 2022: Hull FC 4, Hull Kingston Rovers 36
Round 18, 2022: Hull FC 34, Hull Kingston Rovers 28
Round 8, 2022: Hull Kingston Rovers 16, Hull FC 4
Round 20, 2021: Hull FC 23, Hull Kingston Rovers 22
Total Super League meetings: 44 (Hull KR 21, Hull FC 23, no draws)
There is simply no over-hyping the Hull derby, and Rovers fans in particular have had great cause to celebrate the occasion in recent times having hammered their neighbours in the last two meetings. However, they have suffered a number of long-term injuries since battering the Black and Whites 40-0 at the MKM Stadium back in April, including the career-ending issues suffered by Lachlan Coote and a hamstring problem for key playmaker Jordan Abdull which will keep him out until at least September. Their performance at Leigh Leopards last week was so passive it was incredible, and Rovers will have to be right back at it if they are to record a first derby double since 2009.
Tony Smith returns to Craven Park for the first time since being sacked by the Robins last season, and he does so with a Hull side which has won five of its last eight league matches to push back into the play-off reckoning. Even in defeat to table-topping Catalans Dragons last week there was a performance level on show which was sadly lacking earlier in the campaign when the Airlie Birds lost seven straight matches including that humiliating 40-0 washout at home to Rovers.
Sportsman stat: Rovers have beaten Hull more times (21) than they have won against any other opponent in Super League, with Salford Red Devils next on 17 losses to the Red and Whites.
Salford Red Devils v Leeds Rhinos
Where: AJ Bell Stadium, Eccles.
When: 3pm (BST)
TV: No UK screening
Salford's last five: Lost 6-32 @ Wakefield (Rd 17), Lost 6-26 v Wigan (Rd 16), Won 42-10 @ Castleford (Rd 15), Won 26-16 v Hull KR (Rd 14), Won 29-22 v Hull FC (Rd 13)
Leeds' last five: Won 22-6 @ Warrington (Rd 17), Won 54-0 v Huddersfield (Rd 16), Lost 14-24 @ Wakefield (Rd 15), Lost 24-26 v Castleford (Rd 14), Lost 12-13 v St Helens (Rd 13)
Betfred match winner odds (80 minutes): Salford 9/5, Leeds 4/9, draw 20/1
Handicap betting (Salford +4.5): Salford 5/6, Leeds 10/11
Milestones:
With three more tries, Ken Sio will reach 100 in Super League, having scored 23 with Hull Kingston Rovers and 74 so far for the Red Devils.
Leeds' Rhyse Martins in 12 points away from bringing up 1,000 in his career, with 764 have come in Rhinos colours. Meanwhile, team-mate Ash Handley will make it to 100 Super League tries with two more four-pointers.
Previous meetings:
Round 11, 2023: Leeds Rhinos 12, Salford Red Devils 22
Round 22, 2022: Leeds Rhinos 34, Salford Red Devils 14
Round 12, 2022: Salford Red Devils 23, Leeds Rhinos 8
Round 6, 2022: Salford Red Devils 26, Leeds Rhinos 12
Round 15, 2021: Leeds Rhinos 38, Salford Red Devils 16
Total Super League meetings: 54 (Salford 8, Leeds 46, no draws)
Salford are currently experiencing their most significant downturn of the season so far, having followed their meek Challenge Cup exit to Hull KR with losses to Wigan Warriors and bottom-of-the-table Wakefield Trinity in Super League. The loss of Brodie Croft and Ryan Brierley to injuries did them no favours last week as a reshuffled side was easily second best to Wakey, but confidence is suddenly in short supply at the AJ Bell.
On the other hand, Leeds have a new vibe about them just a couple of weeks on from also being beaten by Wakefield. The one-sided battering of Huddersfield Giants was followed by a thoroughly convincing performance in the win at Warrington Wolves as the Rhinos completed a 48-point turnaround from the 42-10 opening round defeat to Daryl Powell's side in their previous trip to the Halliwell Jones.
Sportsman stat: Leeds have won 75 and lost just 11 of their last 86 clashes with Salford, even taking into account their three losses in four heading into Sunday's latest encounter.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject to Change
