Leeds vs Derby Predictions

Saturday’s live Championship game is a repeat of the Championship playoff semi-final, with Leeds meeting Derby. This rivalry has ramped up over the last year, thanks to Spygate and Derby’s thrilling victory at Elland Road. However, can Phillip Cocu follow in Frank Lampard’s footsteps with a success at Leeds?

Leeds returned to the summit of the Championship thanks to their 2-0 win at Barnsley on Sunday. They edged that Yorkshire derby late on, leaving them on course for a place in the Premier League next term. Marcelo Bielsa’s side haven’t played badly since the start of the season, which has left us backing them in this clash.

Derby come here in a mess, without a win in their last six games. The visitors have slumped to 19th place in the division after their poor run of form. They have lost the likes of Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount, who are thrilling for Chelsea in the top flight. Without their talents, Derby look short this term.

Meanwhile, Leeds are growing in confidence after a year under Bielsa. That appointment was a brilliant move that has transformed the club’s fortunes, with the host’s odds on for promotion after winning five of their first seven games.

Leeds have also been made odds-on favourites for their meeting with the Rams on Saturday. Given the form the pair have heading into this one, that’s no surprise. Derby have conceded twice in four of their last six, losing three of five games. Cocu has come in for some stick during this six-game winless streak, which leaves Leeds as the team we’re siding with in this clash.

The hosts have been in fine form this term, with all but one of their six wins in all competitions coming by two goals or more. They’ve scored 12 times in seven and conceded just three times, while Derby have been beaten 3-0 in consecutive trips away to Forest and Brentford. With an even bigger test in store, we are going with Leeds with a -1 handicap this weekend.

With consecutive 3-0 defeats behind them on the road, we are worried for the visitors here. They are going up against the top side in the division, with the hosts feeling the need for revenge. We expect a strong display from Leeds, who have won to nil in four of their last five games. With that form behind them, we’re backing the hosts to record a 3-0 victory.