Friday 13 April 2018 19:04, UK
Leeds face Wigan at Headingley on Friday as two of Super League's powerhouses go toe to toe, live on Sky Sports Arena.
And we've picked out three head to heads that might decide it...
We've seen some of the best of Ryan Hall in 2018: A lung-busting long-range try in the opening round against Warrington, a typically powerful finish as Leeds nearly produced a stunning comeback against Castleford, and some excellent stats.
Hall's already smashed the 1000m barrier for the season, notching up 1364m from his 143 carries. That's the second best in Super League, and at an average gain of 9.54m a carry, only behind Greg Eden in terms of the best of the backs in the competition.
That's only translated to four tries for Hall, but his 11 clean breaks and 36 tackle busts are the best in the Rhinos ranks. This campaign has seen a serious carrying presence from Hall, as he continues to earn his nickname of world's best winger.
Competition is fierce on Wigan's wings. There's Joe Burgess, Tom Davies - currently out with an ankle injury - and then Liam Marshall.
Marshall's been struggling to get into the side recently, but just look at that scoring record. He has nine tries in five games and is topping Wigan's charts, two clear of Burgess, though four of those did come in one game, the 44-6 win over Hull KR on Easter Monday.
It's certainly a nice headache for Shaun Wane to have. Marshall excelled last season too, ending up as Wigan's top scorer with 21 tries - three clear of Burgess. He's clearly a natural finisher and the winger is capable of big metres, notching up 592m at an average of 9.40m a drive. That again is the best average in Wigan's side. Leeds will have to deny him any scoring opportunities.
This year is a big year for Kallum Watkins. He inherited the captain's armband, filling the considerable shoes of Danny McGuire, and before him, Kevin Sinfield. That certainly gives the role extra significance. But the centre is living up to the responsibility, leading by example for the Rhinos.
He's got seven tries so far in the campaign, including two in last week's narrow win over Wakefield that included an excellent finish in the corner. And Watkins has three try assists as well. He's also past 1000 metres for the season, only behind Hall in Leeds colours this year, while averaging 7.53m a carry.
Watkins is also working hard in defence. He's the top tackler in the backs, putting in 213 hits, nearly 100 more than any other. Plenty worried Watkins might lose his sparkle with the pressure of the captaincy, but so far he's still proving why he's England's first choice centre.
It's been a frustrating return to Super League so far for Dan Sarginson. He's only managed five appearances in the Cherry and White in 2018, and one of those came against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the World Club Series.
And those games have yielded only one try and one try assist so far. Sarginson's NRL career was wrecked by injury too, after requiring surgery on his shoulder. He decided to return to Wigan from the Gold Coast Titans in the off-season, but the back only returned in the win over Hull KR on Easter Monday before featuring against Catalans.
He started the comeback against the Dragons, scoring Wigan's opening try and as an England international, he brings experience into the Warriors' backs. And they'll need him at his best against the likes of Watkins on Friday night.
Leeds need a fit and firing Stevie Ward in 2018. Once again, he's missed a big chunk of the early season. The backrow went off in the World Club Challenge defeat against Melbourne Storm and wasn't seen again until Easter Monday, featuring in the win over Salford.
He started against Wakefield, however, and Ward will now hope his 2018 kicks into life. It's astonishing to think the forward is yet to win an England cap. He missed out on the World Cup because of the injury that nearly scuppered his Grand Final.
At his best, Ward is an all-action machine. He tackles, he runs and he can create too. There's no doubting the class there. Will Leeds see enough of it this season?
One player Ward might have to oust from an England spot is Wigan's Liam Farrell. He missed out on a World Cup place too, with Elliott Whitehead, Ben Currie, Mike McMeeken, Chris Heighington and John Bateman ahead of him. That means there's plenty to prove in 2018.
Farrell has been ever-present so far, featuring in the World Club Series and the nine Super League matches for the Warriors. He's is typically high in all Wigan's stats this season. He's the team's top tackler, making 287 so far. And he's missed just nine.
Farrell is also the second highest metre maker, and the highest of any forward, returning 990m from his 136 carries, an average of 7.28m a drive. With four tries and four assists to his name, you can see why Farrell is such a key cog for Shaun Wane in both attack and defence.
