Hull and Salford head into their Stobart Super League clash on Sunday afternoon off the back of contrasting results.
While the Black and Whites enjoyed derby delight at the expense of arch rivals Hull KR last time out, the City Reds saw their play-off hopes suffer a serious blow when they were heavily beaten on home soil by Widnes.
However, the confirmation of Bradford's six-point deduction during the week has suddenly given Phil Veivers' side renewed hope of a top-eight finish.
They currently sit 10th in the table but are only two points back of Rovers, who currently occupy the final play-off berth. In contrast, their opponents are sitting pretty in sixth.
Hull coach Peter Gentle has been allowed the rare opportunity to name an unchanged 19-man squad during what has been an injury-hit season at the KC Stadium.
Scrum-half Brett Seymour missed the match against Rovers with a knee injury but could come back into contention.
In his absence, Gentle selected Ryan McGoldrick and Aaron Heremaia in the half-back positions, meaning Richard Horne started at full-back.
Loan signing Jamie Foster, who kicked six goals on debut at Craven Park, can expect to keep his place on the wing, as too can youngster Tom Lineham. Centre Jordan Turnerhopes to recover from a head injury in time to play.
Salford, meanwhile, could hand places to second rower Luke Adamson and utility back Josh Veivers following the heavy reverse at the hands of the Vikings.
Phil Veivers has recalled prop Ben Gledhill in place of Iafeta Paleaaesina while Ashley Gibson continues to deputise for injured centre Joel Moon.
Yet despite the Reds' woes last time out, when they conceded eight tries and failed to muster a point in the first half, Gentle is taking nothing for granted.
"We built our game the other night around defence and we'll have to be very good defensively again on Sunday with what Salford will throw at us," he told the club's official website, www.hullfc.com.
"We've set the standard now for the rest of the season and if we can hold the middle defensively and punch through that area with the ball, we'll have a pretty good platform to play from on both fronts."