Derby County face Leeds United on Saturday in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final in what is sure to be a feisty affair given the ‘Spygate’ scandal which hit the headlines in January.
The home side secured their play-off spot on the final day of the season after beating West Brom 3-1, seeing off rivals Middlesbrough and Bristol City for the final place in the top six.
Derby also went unbeaten in their final six and have home advantage on Saturday which may prove pivotal.
Leeds, who spent much of the season in the top two, spectacularly collapsed in their chase of an automatic promotion place, losing three of their last four games.
The visitors will need to put their disappointment behind them to end their record of having never previously won promotion in four attempts via the EFL play-offs.
Predicted line-ups
Derby: Roos; Bogle, Keogh, Tomori, Malone; Mount, Johnson, Holmes; Wilson, Waghorn, Lawrence
Leeds: Casilla; Ayling, Cooper, Jansson, Dallas; Hernandez, Klich, Phillips, Roberts, Harrison; Roofe
What time does it start?
Derby vs Leeds kicks off at 5.15pm on Saturday May 11.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football from 5pm.
The match will also be available to watch via purchasing a NowTV day pass for £7.99 https://www.nowtv.com/watch-sky-sports-online.
Form guide…
Derby: WDWWDW
Leeds: WWLLDL
Head-to-head…
Leeds 2 (Roofe, Harrison) Derby 0, Championship, January 2019
Derby 1 (Lawrence) Leeds 4 (Klich, Roofe 2, Alioski), Championship, August 2018
Derby 2 (Weimann, Palmer) Leeds 2 (Lasogga, Alioski), Championship, February 2018
Leeds 1 (Lasogga) Derby 2 (Winnall 2), Championship, October 2017
Leeds 1 (Wood) Derby 0, Championship, January 2017
Odds…
Derby to win: 11/5
Leeds to win: 7/5
Draw: 2/1
(Odds provided by Betfair)
Prediction… Derby 1-1 Leeds
Derby have all the form and momentum going into the match as their end of season fortunes contrast greatly with Leeds.
The visitors played some brilliant football across the season as they racked up 83 points but their form deserted them at just the wrong time.
For this reason, Frank Lampard’s side head into the game as slight favourites but expect a cagey encounter with neither team able to fashion a concrete advantage heading into the second leg.
