Leeds United travel to Derby County, still in search of an elusive first win in 2018. The Whites are on a winless run, stretching back to Boxing Day, when Burton Albion were defeated 2-1. The Whites come into the game on the back of a 2-2 home draw with Bristol City where they fought from behind to snatch a point. Derby have had a fine season to date and know a victory could put them back into the automatic promotion spots this evening, but come into the match following a 2-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.
League position
Derby County: 4th
Leeds United: 12th
Recent form
Derby County: DDWDL
Leeds United: LDLLD
Head to head
Derby County wins: 37
Draws: 27
Leeds United wins: 54
Last time at Pride Park
Saturday 15th October 2017
Sky Bet Championship
Derby County 1 (Russell 56)
Leeds United 0
Derby: Carson, Christie, Keogh, Anya (Russell 52), Ince, Johnson, Pearce, Butterfield (Bryson 75), Hughes (Baird 84), Vydra, Lowe. Subs not used: Mitchell, Bent, Wilson, Weimann.
Leeds: Green, Ayling, Bartley, Wood (Antonsson 82), O’Kane, Jansson, Hernandez, Taylor, Phillips, Sacko (Roofe 59), Mowatt (Grimes 80). Subs not used: Silvestri, Cooper, Vieira, Coyle.
Our last meeting with Derby County at Pride Park marked Steve McClaren’s first game back in charge of the Rams after being re-appointed manager. . It proved to be a winning start for the former England boss, as Derby recorded their first home league win of the season in the Championship, with a 1-0 victory over Leeds. Kyle Bartley hit the crossbar for Leeds in the first half, before Jonny Russell broke the deadlock in the second period, with a low strike following a corner. Marcus Antonsson hit the post late on for Leeds as Derby claimed the three points.
Team news
Leeds trio Gaetano Berardi, Liam Cooper and Samuel Saiz are all available once again for the Whites following suspension. Paul Heckingbottom has no new injury concerns, with trio Luke Ayling, Tyler Roberts and Conor Shaughnessy all long term absentees. Derby could welcome back George Thorne, but the game will come too soon for Sam Winnall and Jamie Hanson.
The key battle
Bradley Johnson v Samuel Saiz
Leeds supporters know all about Johnson, who helped the Whites win promotion from League One back in 2010. The dynamic midfielder will be looking to impress in the centre of the park and have an influence on the forward play. Saiz could make his first start after serving a six game suspension and will be looking to hit the ground running. It promises to be an interesting battle between the duo.
Betting odds with Ladbrokes
Derby County: 10/11
Draw: 12/5
Leeds United: 7/2
(Odds correct at time of article published)
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LUTV
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