Former captain returns to Elland Rd in red shirt of Manchester
Just two months following his record-breaking £30million departure to Manchester United, the former Leeds captain can expect a volatile reception from angry Whites supporters.
They showed their feelings during Leeds' pre-season tour of Australia and the Far East shortly after Ferdinand's departure, with an abusive banner.
Leeds supporters have never failed to disguise their feelings. George Graham was once pelted with coins and branded a 'Judas' when he returned to Leeds as Tottenham manager six months after he quit the Elland Road club.
Venables, though, is hoping the Leeds fans behave as he urged: ''My message to them is to get behind the team.
''Rio is a very accomplished player, an outstanding player, but he is no longer with us. He is at Manchester United, so we should all get on with our lives.
''I just want the supporters to do this one thing to save their energy and support the team just as they did against Newcastle on Wednesday when they were brilliant.
''We don't want any aggro. We just want a good football match. This is a very famous game and that's what we want to concentrate on.
Venables has not thought about whether Leeds have missed Ferdinand the player joined Manchester United soon after the former England boss took over.
The players, though, are in no doubt Ferdinand will be in for a rough ride with Alan Smith setting the ball rolling earlier this week by claiming the centre back will be ''hammered'' by the fans.
South Africa international Lucas Radebe, who lost the captaincy to Ferdinand, is also expecting the fans to unleash their fury, conceding: ''I think he's going to get a really hot, hot reception.
''As you know he left the club in a short space of time when we were looking forward to a great season, to make an impact, to give ourselves a chance to do well in the league.
''Among the players we understand this is only a game for us, but with the fans it is more than that.''
Ferdinand has attempted to diffuse the situation by offering an olive branch to chairman Peter Ridsdale, who claimed the defender was only signed for £18million from West Ham as cover for Jonathan Woodgate.
Ferdinand claims he has no axe to grind with Ridsdale, who is also now eager to let bygones be bygones.
''I understand the feelings of all Leeds supporters when looking at the emotion of losing our captain and one of the best defenders in the world to our arch rivals,'' said Ridsdale in the club programme.
''It is, however, time to look to the talent and strength in our own team and let Rio get on with his career at his chosen club.
''The best way to demonstrate how we all feel is to get behind our team and with your support, help them to take all three points.''
It is thought that Ferdinand will have personal bodyguards as protection, with Manchester United taking every precaution to guarantee the safety of the world's most expensive defender.
As a category A match, West Yorkshire Police are also obviously giving the game their utmost attention.
A spokesman said: ''Contingencies are in place for any eventuality and everything has been taken into account.
''The nature of our plans must remain confidential because it is an operationally sensitive issue.''
But to the football and even Venables concedes today's encounter ''is not just another game.'' It is one which excites him. ''I've done a few derbies in my time down in London. Barcelona v Real Madrid is pretty hefty, while I've done England-Scotland and even Australia-New Zealand,'' added Venables.
''I know all about this game. The atmosphere is going to be very special, but the target tomorrow is to talk and think about the game, which is a massive one for us.
''They're a really good footballing side. There's no doubt the benchmark is United. You've Liverpool and Arsenal, who were superb last season and have started well again, but Man United have that magical name, and rightly so. They deserve it.
''They might be without Roy Keane and Paul Scholes, but they've got a big squad and that is why they've been so effective over the last 10 years in picking up trophies."
Though their recent form would suggest otherwise. United have recorded just five goals from five league outings this term, just one more than they managed in a single visit to Elland Road last April. Having struck 36 times in his first English season, Ruud van Nistelrooy has failed to find the net in open play during his second Premiership campaign, while Diego Forlan's barren streak now extends to 25 matches. Even Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was subdued in midweek and Ferguson admits it is a situation he did not think he would have to deal with.
''We are lacking a killer touch,'' he said.
''The effort cannot be faulted but we are not scoring the goals our play has deserved. United have looked more fluent on their travels, taking Chelsea apart in the second half at Stamford Bridge, then dominating Sunderland for an hour a fortnight ago until Tore Andre Flo was allowed to grab an unexpected equaliser ahead of Roy Keane's last-minute dismissal. Yet the Scot admits that today's encounter will be a whole new ball game, given the traditional rivalry, and of course the Rio factor.
''The atmosphere will be electric and it really wakens us. The players look round they ground and know that the Leeds fans are absolutely against us,'' said Ferguson.
''Over the years we have really enjoyed that and our record there is good. At 4-1 last year I thought we were going to win by 10, then we ended up hanging on by the skin of our teeth.
''They will keep coming at us and we have to be ready for it.''
The United manager could not offer Ferdinand any soothing words but he is confident the world's most expensive defender will be able to handle the flak and emerge with his reputation intact.
''There are an incredible number of internationals who have played at both clubs, going right back to the likes of Jimmy and Brian Greenhoff. Gordon Strachan won the league going in the other direction.
''Those transfers haven't helped ease the rivalry. It just makes it more intense. It has been part of the history of both clubs for years.
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