Catalans Dragons coach Mick Potter insists his in-form French side remain the underdogs as they prepare to take on defending engage Super League champions Leeds in Perpignan on Saturday night.

The Dragons are unbeaten at the Gilbert Brutus Stadium since March and have closed to within a point of the Rhinos after losing just one their last 16 League matches.

A club record-extending eighth successive win would see the champions drop to third place in the table - that after leading the competition for the first 19 rounds - and Potter admits that is unthinkable.

"I don't see how we can possibly be favourites," he said. "There's a slight advantage over here but they have so much quality in their team.

"They're a very dangerous team - between them and St Helens they are the two best teams in the competition - and we could still possibly be on end of a 50-point deficit, they are such a good team.

"We will do our best and see how it goes. This game does mean a lot to both teams. They will be out to build confidence for their Challenge Cup semi-final next week."

The Catalans lost 34-6 at Headingley in February but Leeds were beaten 30-22 on their last visit to Gilbert Brutus in 2007 and coach Brian McClennan is wary of their home form.

"They are a very dangerous team, especially at home," he said. "They will be full of confidence after their late win against Quins last week and their winning run over the past couple of months.

"Casey McGuire and Clint Greenshields have been crucial for them and Thomas Bosc has directed them around the pitch. We know we are in for a tough challenge but it is one they are looking forward to."

Leeds are without full-back Brent Webb and prop Ryan Bailey, while the Dragons have lost stand-off Adam Mogg and second rower Jamal Fakir.

The loss of Mogg through suspension is a body blow to the Perpignan club, with Potter forced to reshuffle his line-up.

"He's irreplaceable really," said Potter. "We've got Aaron Gorrell to come in at hooker and Casey (McGuire) can play his normal position.

"But not many players do what Mogg can do and losing that strike in attack means everybody has got to do a bit extra to compensate.

"He's a unique player and we'll be a different team without him. The win is not unattainable but it makes it all the more difficult."

Warrington aim to complete a hat-trick of wins over Huddersfield and make it six victories from seven under new coach James Lowes when they visit the Galpharm Stadium in tomorrow's other match.

Lowes is making a powerful case for being handed the job beyond this season but he admits the Wolves team are still a work in progress.

"There's a long way to go in terms of consistency," he said. "If you do get beat, it's getting back up for the next game.

"It's not just winning every game, week in week out. When you do get a setback, it's about being able to step back up."

Huddersfield, who today appointed Australian Nathan Brown as their new coach for 2009, slumped to 11th place in the table after a resounding 46-8 defeat at Leeds but they are aiming to complete a fourth successive home win.

The Giants' caretaker coaching duo of Paul Anderson and Keiron Purtill are set to give Great Britain winger David Hodgson his home debut.

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