APART from being in a relegation fight for a third successive season after dropping down to National League Two North, the other worrying trend for Wharfedale this campaign has been the decline in attendances.

But while they aim to prevent Otley from doing the double over them, with the Cross Greeners having triumphed 39-27 in September to start their unbeaten record there, the Greens will not have to fret over the numbers through 'the turnstiles' on Saturday.

While crowds have generally been above 500 in the last two seasons, when they have been battling to stay in National League One, they have dropped to the 400s and below in 2016-17 in the fourth tier.

But this derby, with Wharfedale second from bottom and desperate for a win, and Otley having only notched one victory away from home against Sheffield Tiger this season, has a genuine 'don't know what to expect' feel about it.

This unknown factor and the proximity to Christmas is set to draw in the punters, with Wharfedale's chairman of rugby Michael Harrison saying: "We are expecting a full house, and we could have as many spectators supporting Otley as there are supporting Wharfedale."

One thing Wharfedale don't want to happen is for their tackling to let them down, as it did during their 59-12 defeat at clinical Caldy last Saturday and their 29-19 home setback against Sheffield Tigers in October.

Otley's strength may historically be in the pack but the main feature of their play this season has been their exciting backs, spearheaded by the in-form duo of full back Tom Hodson and former Ilkley right winger Paul Petchey.

Wharfedale will not want to give the pacy and elusive Hodson the same room that they gave Tigers full back Peter Swatkins in October as they will surely be in trouble.

However, the Green Machine have their own try-scoring back in Robbie Davidson, who crossed twice at Caldy last weekend, firstly finishing off a choice attack and secondly running in an interception try from 70 metres out.

Another plus for the Dalesmen was that scrum half Phil Woodhead, prop Adam Howard and winger Scott Jordan all got a good chunk of game-time on their return from injury.

Kick-off on Saturday is at 2pm, and there is the added bonus of the raffle of a wheelbarrow which is full of Christmas goodies.

Jordan and Woodhead have both been promoted to the starting line-up for Saturday’s game.

Jordan has been selected at full back as Harry Bullough moves into the centres with the experienced Andy Hodgson reverting to the bench.

Woodhead comes in at scrum half with Jimmy Bullough reverting to the bench.

Woodhead will have fit-again Jamie Guy partnering him at half back as Tom Barrett is away on business.

Elliott Ward gets a start in the second row where he takes over from Alistair Allen who is being given a run with the Foresters to give him more game time.

Ian Larkin, another forward back from injury, is named among the replacements.

Kick-off on Saturday is at 2pm, and there is the added bonus of the raffle of a wheelbarrow which is full of Christmas goodies.

Wharfedale Jordan, R. Davidson, H. Bullough, T. Davidson, Cicognini, Guy, Woodhead, Altham, Stockdale, Aseyevs, Rhodes, Ward, Hedgley, Whyte, Burridge (c), Replacements Larkin, Huck, Howard, J. Bullough, Hodgson.