Super League preview: Huddersfield v Leeds

2013 minor premiers Huddersfield have won their last five meetings with opponents Leeds, but the Rhinos go into Friday’s fixture in good form.

Last week’s win away at Catalan continued Leeds’ impressive start to the season, and they will be looking to make it four wins from four at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Jamie Jones-Buchanan could make his first appearance of 2014 for the away side, and head coach Brian McDermott also drafts Mitch Achurch back into the matchday squad due to Liam Sutcliffe joining Bradford on a months loan.

Giants counterpart Paul Anderson names an unchanged side from the defeat to Widnes last time out, but he will be hoping for a much improved performance.

Danny Brough has scored points in his last 11 games against the Rhinos, with his streak beginning when he was at previous club Wakefield in 2009.

Huddersfield

Squad: Grix, McGillvary, Cudjoe, Wardle, Murphy, Brough, Robinson, Crabtree, Kopczak, Ferres, Chan, Bailey, Lawrence, Faiumu, Ta’ai, Wood, Broughton, Kaufusi, Johnson.

Last match: Lost 22-20 away at Widnes

Leeds

Squad: Hardaker, Watkins, Moon, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Aiton, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sinfield, Ward, Delaney, Bailey, Clarkson, Achurch, Briscoe, Singleton.

Last match: Won 40-12 away at Catalan

Previous 10 meetings

Huddersfield 40, Leeds 18 (SLR19, 23/6/13)

Huddersfield 24, Leeds 8 (CCR5, 11/5/13)

Leeds 8, Huddersfield 32 (SLR6, 8/3/13)

Huddersfield 48, Leeds 24 (SLR27, 9/9/12)

Leeds 12, Huddersfield 22 (SLR9, 30/3/12)

Huddersfield 28, Leeds 34 (SLPSF, 23/9/11)

Huddersfield 24, Leeds 31 (SLR27, 11/9/11)

Leeds 6, Huddersfield 38 (SLR10, 15/4/11)

Leeds 21, Huddersfield 20 (SLR22, 16/7/10)

Huddersfield 26, Leeds 20 (SLR6, 14/3/10)