Card shark Joe Vagana is looking to trump Robbie Paul for a second time this week.

The Bulls giant faces his former team-mate when they tackle Huddersfield Giants at the Galpharm Stadium tomorrow.

Bradford have beaten their derby rivals twice this season and are now looking for a third success to send them into the play-offs with a bang.

But Vagana is already one-up having fleeced Paul at poker on Tuesday night and now he's looking for another windfall.

"We were around at Robbie's pub for our regular game," said the prop forward.

"There was plenty of friendly banter and he was saying Huddersfield were going to do this and do that to us.

"As expected, Robbie obviously wants to have a big game against the Bulls.

"But I went there and took his money and I'll be wanting the two points off him tomorrow as well.

"Hopefully he'll play his rugby like he plays his poker!

"Jamie Peacock and Richard Mathers were also in it but I came in first and Les (Vainikolo) was second.

"I'm looking for the same result at Huddersfield."

The Bulls are in need of a win to improve confidence after a poor run of results over the last month.

Vagana admitted: "We're the world champions and the Super League holders but we need to put that to one side.

"We must cut the mistakes, get our high standards back and then there's no reason why we can't kick on for Old Trafford again."

Macca seeks Giant boost for play-offs

Steve McNamara is confident his side can show true title credentials if they deliver the right performance tomorrow.

On the back of three defeats out of four, no one is really expecting the champions to hold on to their crown this year, especially as they must do so from the confines of fourth spot.

The Bulls have to win three play-off fixtures to even get to Old Trafford, and with St Helens in such rampant form, few would bet against the Merseysiders romping home.

But McNamara knows if his men can lift their game in the final regular fixture at Huddersfield, it could spark them up just in time to mount their annual challenge.

"People will think we have nothing to play for but we need to get our pride intact and pick up some form for the play-offs," he said.

"We must start doing that. We have been really disappointed with our last two games and very frustrated by them as well.

"But we need to focus our energies collectively and if we do we will certainly be a force coming into the play-offs."

Judging by the form book, the Giants should be the perfect opposition for Bradford to gain that much-needed performance and confidence. Their derby rivals have still yet to inflict a defeat on them during the summer era and the Bulls have already put 94 points past them in two meetings this year.

They thrashed them 52-18 on Easter Tuesday - Brian Noble's last game in charge - and then again 42-16 in June - the first since Stuart Fielden's departure - both times at Odsal.

But McNamara warned: "They have got plenty of reasons to be highly motivated.

"Huddersfield have never beaten Bradford in Super League so they will definitely want to end that record.

"Also, if they win this game it will be deemed as a successful season.

"Giants could look at a Challenge Cup final and just missing out on the play-offs rather than looking at relegation and it would be a way to finish.

"Also, it is some players' last match for the club and they'll want it to be one to remember.

"All that means it will be a very tough game for us."

McNamara knows the Bulls must improve their completion rate, having marginally surpassed just 50 per cent in defeats against Wigan and Wakefield.

But he is also keen for them to be slicker in possession to help rediscover their ruthless edge.

Inadvertently, tomorrow's game is probably one of their most important of the season.