Crossword Genius

Contest to set between leaders (4-2-4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

head-to-head

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'set between leaders' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I can't tell whether this works.

'contest to' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'to' is present in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for head-to-head that I've seen before include "In direct competition" , "Confrontational conversation" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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