SL Preview: Leeds Rhinos v Castleford Tigers

Leeds will be searching for their first win in four games when they play host to Yorkshire rivals Castleford on Friday.

The Rhinos have lost their last four fixtures, including a Challenge Cup exit to Huddersfield, and have slipped to sixth in the Super League table.

Castleford came from behind to earn a dramatic last-minute point against London Broncos last weekend and will be looking over their shoulders if they lose to Leeds, with Salford and Wakefield playing each other on Monday.

Brian McDermott has been forced into drafting youngsters Thomas Minns and Jimmy Keinhorst into his Leeds squad. The Rhinos are without Kallum Watkins and Danny McGuire, who suffered injuries in last week’s defeat to Hull, while Ben Jones-Bishop, Jamie Peacock and Carl Ablett all continue their recovery from injury.

Castleford coach Daryl Powell makes to changes to the squad that drew with London. Justin Carney serves the first of his three-match suspension while Keith Mason also misses out. James Clare and Charlie Martin are in contention as they earn spots in the squad. The inclusion of Clare and Martin means that 13 of the 19-man squad are products of the club’s youth development squad.

Leeds Rhinos 19-man squad: Hardaker, Moon, Hall, Burrow, Leuluai, McShane, Jones-Buchanan, Sinfield, Delaney, Kirke, Clarkson, Achurch, Moore, Keinhorst, Singleton, Vickery, Sutcliffe, Minns.

Castleford Tigers 19-man squad: Owen, Shenton, Dixon, Chase, Ellis, Walker, Clark, Huby, Hauraki, Millington, Milner, Massey, Holmes, Thompson, Tansey, Fleming, Clare, Martin, Boyle.

Prediction: Leeds to turn their fortunes around with first win in four – Leeds win.

Super League summary:

Leeds won 26 (includes win in 2000 play-offs)

Castleford won 11 (includes win in 1999 play-offs)

2 draws

Leeds highest score: 76-12 (H, 2009) (also widest margin)

Castleford highest score: 38-20 (H, 2008) (also widest margin)