Leeds United are expected to secure all three points when they host Derby County at Elland Road and Sam Parkin has shared his score prediction ahead of the match.
Leeds have been considerably stronger on home soil than on the road this season and so will be pleased to return to West Yorkshire after last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Blackburn Rovers.
22 of Leeds’ 35 points have come at Elland Road this season and up against one of the worst away sides in the division, Daniel Farke‘s side need to make it count.
Andy Hinchcliffe has already backed Leeds to return to winning ways against the Rams, and in order to keep in touch with Sheffield United and Burnley in the top two, nothing less will do.
David Prutton has also predicted a Leeds win but the recent history of this fixture certainly does add another small element of intrigue.
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Sam Parkin predicts Leeds vs Derby result
Derby boss Paul Warne has shut down suggestions Farke is under pressure heading into this game, but in truth, the Leeds boss always is.
Farke simply has to win promotion with Leeds this season and these are the sort of matches they have no excuse not to be winning.
And speaking on the latest episode of the Championship Predictions Podcast, Parkin has sided with both Hinchcliffe and Prutton that Leeds will pick up three points.
He believes that despite watching Derby cause problems against Swansea City recently, their poor away form should make it a relatively comfortable afternoon for Leeds.
He said: “I saw Derby actually cause a lot of problems against Swansea despite being beaten midweek. So I can understand you expecting them to cause Leeds one or two problems, but I don’t think it’ll be as tight as 2-1.
“To contradict what you just said I am going to go 2-0 Leeds. I can’t see Derby with their contrasting home and away form, getting anything at Elland Road.”
Early teams ahead of Leeds vs Derby
Junior Firpo is Leeds’ only fresh injury doubt from last weekend after suffering a knock to his foot in training earlier this week. Sam Byram and Ilia Gruev are also out.
Isaac Schmidt could return to the squad after three matches out, while Ethan Ampadu is also back in training after 10 weeks out with a knee problem.
For the visitors, they will be without a couple of key midfielders at Elland Road with Ebou Adams set to miss out due to suspension.
David Ozoh is also on the sidelines after failing to recover from his injury in time to be available.
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