Aiming to bounce back following a shock defeat last weekend, promotion-chasing Leeds United will host Derby County at Elland Road in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.
The Whites came out on the losing side of a hard-fought contest at Blackburn Rovers at the end of November, whilst the Rams have suffered back-to-back blows at Pride Park over the past fortnight.
Match preview
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Following the collection of nine points from clashes with Queens Park Rangers, Swansea City and Luton Town, promotion favourites Leeds United suffered only their third defeat of the Championship campaign last Saturday afternoon, losing 1-0 at the Ewood Park home of Blackburn.
The one-time Premier League champions secured maximum points from the contest courtesy of a first-half penalty from summer arrival Todd Cantwell, who is beginning to recapture the attacking form that allowed him to shine during his promotion-winning time at Norwich City.
Focusing back on Leeds, Daniel Farke's men missed the chance to reach the summit of the Championship standings after drawing a blank in Lancashire last weekend, meaning that Saturday's hosts remain third in the table, three points behind current pacesetters Sheffield United.
Boasting a six-game winning run at Elland Road, the Whites should be extremely confident of putting newly-promoted Derby to the sword in Yorkshire this weekend, with the hosts netting a sensational 20 goals across nine home fixtures to date - only Norwich City (25) have bagged more from home games.
Following the summer departure of Crysencio Summerville to Premier League strugglers West Ham United, another flying Dutchman has stepped up to the goalscoring plate for Leeds in the form of Joel Piroe, who has netted on seven occasions across 18 Championship games so far.
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Defying pre-season expectations at the start of the term due to their impressive home form, Derby County's fortunes in the East Midlands have taken a turn for the worst in recent times, with the newly-promoted outfit enduring successive defeats at Pride Park for the first time this campaign.
Swansea City collected maximum points on the road against the Rams on November 27 and four days later it was the turn of Sheffield Wednesday to enjoy some Pride Park success, with second-half strikes from Barry Bannan and substitute Jamal Lowe sealing a comeback victory for the Owls.
Looking to avoid three straight defeats for a second time in 2024-25, Derby are currently occupying 15th spot in the Championship rankings ahead of a daunting trip to Elland Road this weekend, with Paul Warne's troops five points ahead of Hull City in the highest of the relegation spots.
Despite earning only six points from nine away contests in the second tier to date, the Rams will take confidence from recent battles away from Pride Park, with Saturday's visitors winning 2-1 at Coventry City in early November before snatching a point at Preston North End on November 23.
Due to their spells in the Premier League and League One respectively over the past few years, Leeds and Derby will meet for the first time this weekend since July 2020, when goals from Pablo Hernandez and Jamie Shackleton fired Marcelo Bielsa's side to victory in the East Midlands.
Team News
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Leeds remain without the services of Wales international Ethan Ampadu, who is not expected back in action until late January due to a knee injury.
As a result, Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon will continue to form the centre-back partnership, although there are concerns for the Whites in other areas of their backline.
Junior Firpo has suffered a minor foot injury during first-team training this week, and a decision on the Spaniard's availability will be made just before the match.
Derby face a selection conundrum in their engine room due to the absence of Ebou Adams, who will serve a one-game suspension for collecting his fifth yellow card of the term last time out.
David Ozoh could make the Rams' matchday squad but is unlikely to be ready for his first start since September, meaning that Kenzo Goudmijn is set to earn a promotion from the bench.
Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Rothwell, Tanaka; Gnonto, Ramazani, James; Piroe
Derby County possible starting lineup:
Zetterstrom; Wilson, Nelson, Cashin, Forsyth; Osborn, Thompson; Mendez-Laing, Goudmijn, Harness; Yates
We say: Leeds United 3-0 Derby County
With Leeds welcoming a newly-promoted side to Elland Road, this weekend's clash has all the hallmarks of a comfortable victory for Farke's troops.
Due to the absence of midfield enforcer Adams, Derby are in serious risk of being overrun in the engine room, so we can only envisage a troubling afternoon for the visitors.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
