Former Nottingham Forest ace Stan Collymore says the Reds’ arch-rivals Derby County will be gunning for “revenge” in their play-offs tussle with Leeds United.
The ex-striker has delivered his verdict on the Championship end-of-season finale as the Rams, Whites, West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa prepare to do battle for a place in the Premier League.
The first legs of the two ties take place on Saturday, with the Baggies visiting another of Collymore’s old teams at Villa Park, and Leeds travelling to Pride Park in the late kick-off.
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Collymore says Frank Lampard’s men will have extra motivation to beat their opponents, following the ‘Spygate’ scandal earlier this season.
Boss Marcelo Bielsa admitted sending a member of staff to a Derby training session ahead of a fixture between the two clubs, then revealed he had spied on all of his team’s league opponents this term.
“I hate sitting on the fence when it comes to predictions,” Collymore said in his column for the Mirror.
“But that’s exactly what I’m going to do with the Championship play-offs because I really am struggling to call them.
“The best team on their day is Leeds, but they have been a little lacklustre of late, and Derby have no better motivation than getting revenge for Spygate.
“In the other tie, my heart says Aston Villa will beat West Brom, but my head says ‘I’m sorry, but I just don’t know’.”
The return leg of West Brom v Villa will take place next Tuesday, with the other tie the following day.
The final will be at Wembley on May 27.
