The equation is simple for the home side. Win and they will lock in a top two spot with the gap between the two stretching to beyond the Bulls' reach.

They could potentially even assume the competition lead, temporarily at least, with competition leaders Narrabri having the bye.

First things first, they've got to get over the Bulls.

They were unable to when they met back in round three, with the Bulls sneaking home by a point.

The Bulls’ form since has been a bit up and down but, hot on the heels of Moree's 25-all draw with the Blue Boars, Pirates are bracing for a tough contest.

It's coming to the time of the year when the Bulls typically are starting to peak.

"We're just concentrating on what we've got control of," Kelly said.

Like competing for the 80 minutes.

"We threw it away out there," Kelly said.

Another area he identified they need to pick up is their defence.

"We know once we keep the ball in hand the points will come," he said.

"But defence will be a massive thing."

They will field an unchanged forward pack but have a couple of changes to the backs, with Anthony Barbara coming into outside centre and Damien Reti, after impressing off the bench, starting on the wing.

"He'll be a big asset for us out wide," Kelly said.

In saying that, they will be again looking to play the Bulls through the forwards.

"They've (forwards) been a strength," he said.

The Bulls know what is at stake but, as co-coach Simon Hall said, if they want to be contenders they're going to have to beat them some time.

"We're pretty happy with where we're at," Hall said.

He wasn't reading too much into their last encounter, with both sides vastly different to what they were then.

They have made a couple of tactical changes, bringing Maciu Latabua into the front row and pushing Andrew McNamara to six.

That will hopefully stiffen up the scrum and will also free up McNamara a bit.

"He has been phenomenal around the ground," Hall said.

He's hoping with him not having to work so hard at the scrum they'll be able to get an extra 5-10 per cent out of him.

They have focused a lot of attention this week on their set pieces and executing those.

"There were a lot of positives between the set pieces," he said.

"We can't afford to be handing back ball in the lineout, or even a messy lineout is very disruptive."

In the other game, Inverell hosts Walcha in a game that could decide fourth.