Leeds Rhinos v Wigan Warriors: Super League top two set for League Leaders' Shield showdown

Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors are set to meet in what is likely to be a "winner takes all" battle for the League Leaders' Shield at Headingley on Saturday (20:00 BST).

The two sides are both on 40 points from 25 Super League matches, with the Rhinos top on points difference, before the penultimate gameweek of the season.

Victory for Brad Arthur's Leeds would effectively clinch the title as their points difference is already 174 better than Wigan's.

Leeds welcome lowly Hull FC for their final game of the regular season the following week, while the Warriors host Catalans Dragons.

Third-placed Warrington, two points behind the top two, are technically still in the hunt for the Shield but their inferior points difference means they would need a miracle to claim top spot.

Leeds are looking to claim the minor premiership for the first time since a dramatic final-day win at Huddersfield Giants gave them the crown, ahead of Wigan, in 2015.

'It's a Grand Final before a Grand Final'

Matt Peet's Wigan have won their past 13 Super League matches and came out on top 24-4 in the reverse fixture in May.

Arthur said his side are "up for the fight" against the in-form visitors.

"You have your pre-season camp in Tenerife and you talk about these wonderful dreams and things you want to achieve and unfortunately for the majority of teams in the competition those things don't become a reality," he told BBC Radio Leeds.

"I've been there plenty of times before but this is the reality for us now, a winner takes all really.

"I'll maintain it's hard to get there but it's harder to stay there. We're up for the fight."

Arthur is looking for his first piece of silverware with Leeds since taking over in July 2024 and the club's first since the Challenge Cup in 2020.

"We've got a lot of respect for them but we need to focus on ourselves and really go after the occasion," he added.

"The majority of the place will be full of our fans so we've got to make the most of the opportunity. There's no pressure on us, we just need to go after it and enjoy it.

"It's no good getting here, we've got to make the most of it because these opportunities don't come along every year.

"It's a Grand Final before a Grand Final. There's a lot riding on the game but we're just grateful that we're here."

Wigan, meanwhile, are looking to win a second competition this season after lifting the Challenge Cup in May.

They have won two Grand Finals and two League Leaders' Shields in the past four campaigns since Peet took charge but he does not think their big-game experience will be a factor on Saturday.

"I think it's very much whichever team plays well on the night," he told BBC Radio Manchester.

"I don't think winning different trophies in different years counts that much. We've got some experienced players who've played in big games but Leeds have as well."

Sivo could return for Leeds, Nsemba in Wigan squad

Leeds have named returning winger Maika Sivo in their 21-man squad for the match, although Arthur said on Tuesday he is more likely to play against Hull FC the following week.

The 32-year-old Fijian has missed the past five games with a broken arm he suffered in the win over Bradford on 26 July.

He is Super League's leading try scorer this year with 29 from 19 appearances.

Meanwhile, Wigan have included forward Junior Nsemba, who has been out with a hamstring injury since 5 July, in their squad.

Peet said the 22-year-old "will feature" in Saturday's game.