Derby County v Leeds United: YEP Jury give their big match predictions

ANDY RHODES

Even after a win as monumental, as crucial and meaningful as that, I doubt any Leeds fan has slept easy since.

It was arguably United’s worst performance under Marcelo Bielsa but they say the best sides grind out these results.

Barnsley threw absolutely everything at Leeds and probably deserved a point, but the luck is often with those at the top and not with those who are at the bottom.

The celebrations at full time show just how much that result meant to the players, staff and stakeholders. Everyone knows how close promotion is but the job isn’t done yet.

The players will have to reset and prepare for the weekend just as they have with every other game under Bielsa’s reign.

To seal promotion at Derby would be ever so sweet, so they’ll be doing their best to spoil the party.

Of course it could be all over before kick off depends on results elsewhere.

This could be a weekend to remember for Leeds United.

Prediction: Derby County 1 Leeds United 2.

JACOB STARR

Well then, quite possibly the worst performance under Marcelo Bielsa’s leadership took place yesterday, but who cares?

It warranted three huge points and ensured only one more point is required from the final two, beginning at Derby County on Sunday. Of all teams.

The 1-0 victory over Barnsley did not tell the whole story, though, with the Reds squandering glorious chances either side of Michael Sollbauer’s unfortunate own goal, following terrific work from Patrick Bamford to force the error.

The visitors also recorded more attempts than Leeds, something that’s generally unheard of under the usually dominant El Loco-side.

It was certainly one of the best performances I have seen from a team visiting Elland Road this season, and I am perplexed at how they are at the foot of the division.

It’s almost party time after 16 years away, and I am backing us to do it in style with a game to spare.

Last season will live long in the memory.

Prediction: Derby County 0 Leeds United 3.

KEITH INGHAM

Well that three points against Barnsley wasn’t easy but sometimes it’s results that so matter much more than a performance.

The visitors will still be wondering when next season starts, probably in League One how they didn’t get anything from a game they had so many chances to at least get a point.

We struggled to impose ourselves on a very determined team and only an own goal separated the team at the top and one fighting for their lives at the bottom.

Even the introduction of the mercurial Pablo Hernandez didn’t for once spark Leeds into playing better.

If Huddersfield get anything from their game with West Brom tonight, Leeds will be promoted without kicking another ball in anger. Even if Albion do win, Brentford still have to beat Stoke in the Potteries tomorrow to stop United getting a ‘P’ at the side of their name before they play at Derby County.

Everybody knows the midlanders stopped Leeds in their tracks in the second leg of the play-off semi-final and it would be poetic justice if Leeds claim promotion and even the Championship at Pride Park or whatever it’s called now.

This season has been unbelievable and I’m so proud of the team in white. When it’s good, it’s so, so good.

Prediction: Derby County 1 Leeds United 2.

DAVID WATKINS

Crikey, that was a real ordeal! The worst Leeds display all season and we leave it until the 11th hour to bring it out! Fortunately, a combination of Lady Luck and some abysmal finishing from Barnsley let us off a potentially harmful hook!

Not that we didn’t have chances ourselves of course, we always do, but we were back to our woeful worst in front of goal as well and in the end it was our old friend ‘own goal’ who came to our rescue.

None of that really matters, the only thing that matters is the three points that have taken us to the brink of the Premier League.

Who knows, by the time we face Derby County it could be all over and we might be able to enjoy a game without Valium!

Derby will want to get one over us regardless, despite the fact their season is as good as over with no realistic prospect of a play-off spot for them.

A guard of honour at Pride Park would be sweet karma for how they ended our dream last season.

Prediction: Derby County 1 Leeds United 1.

MATTHEW EVANS

By the time you read this we might be promoted. Some people are behaving as if we already were but after 16 years of hurt I’m not celebrating until we’ve got the famous ‘P’ next to our famous name.

The permutations are now very clear. The results in six different games would have to go very specifically against us to stop our return to the top flight.

West Brom and Brentford will have had to beat Huddersfield and Stoke respectively for us to even have the chance to win promotion on the pitch at Derby on Sunday.

In a way, that’d be nice, but I’ll take promotion however it’s delivered.

Either way, victory at Derby would be sweet and I think that’s exactly what we’ll get.

Prediction: Derby County 1 Leeds United 4.

MIKE GILL

Our 1-0 victory against Barnsley or indeed how Brentford and West Brom fare against Stoke and Huddersfield will only tell us what we know already.

That is the fact that looking over your shoulder at the results of your rivals is a fruitless exercise in the white hot cauldron of the Championship.

Derby County have had mixed results since returning from lockdown.

Last time out, they were defeated by Cardiff City and that result all but ended their hopes of a claiming a play-off place.

Nevertheless they continue to be a tough opponent.

Although the evergreen Wayne Rooney doesn’t dominate a game in the way that he used to he is still capable of being a match winner on his day.

Nothing worth having is ever achieved easily and the Whites will need to continue to draw on their considerable reserves of skill, courage and tenacity.

Prediction: Derby County 1 Leeds United 2.

***

A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890.

We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe. For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you

Laura Collins

Editor