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Fiona Kyle

Leeds United's top-two disappointment will kill their play-offs according to TV pundit

The prospect of Leeds United taking on Derby County in the semi-finals of the Championship play-offs is getting everyone talking.

The latest figure from the football world to have their say is former Millwall and Queens Park Rangers manager Ian Holloway, but his opinion will not go down well with Leeds United fans.

Speaking on TalkSport, Holloway was asked who he thought would progress to the play-off final.

"When I got to my local, I will be killed if I don't say [Marcelo] Bielsa. I can't write Leeds off with the season they have had," he said.

Marcelo Bielsa (Clint Hughes/PA Wire)

"If you are going to put me on the spot, I will say Derby will do it because Leeds's disappointment at not getting in the top two [will go against them]."

Holloway, who won promotion to the Premier League through the play-offs with Blackpool in 2010, was asked if Derby are at a disadvantage because they will play away from home in the second leg.

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He said: "To be honest with you, it doesn't matter. You can swing it as a manager mentally. If you can win that first game at home, for the second one the pressure's on them. It's about getting in front."

The Rams come into the game as the form team having chalked up four wins and two draws in their last six games. This run saw them take the last play-off spot on the final day of the regular season, beating West Bromwich Albion 3-1.

Derby County players celebrate scoring against Birmingham City last month. (Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

Leeds United are on their worst run of the season, having lost three and drawn one of their last four games, including a loss to bottom-of-the-table Ipswich Town on the final day.

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