Leeds United ended a worrying four-match sequence without a win in the Championship at the perfect time as they secured what seemed an unlikely 1-0 win at Derby County to hand the Yorkshire club the advantage ahead of this crucial 2nd leg at Elland Road on Wednesday night.
Leeds had entered the Championship play-offs on the back of a disappointing four-match run without a win which included three defeats to Wigan Athletic, Brentford and relegated Ipswich Town, as well as being held to a 1-1 draw at home by Aston Villa.
However, the 1-0 win at Pride Park will have given Marcelo Bielsa’s side a timely boost ahead of this 2nd leg at Elland Road thanks to a goal from their leading goalscorer, Kemar Roofe (15 goals) who has since been ruled out for this 2nd leg due to injury.
Striker, Patrick Bamford (9 goals) has returned from injury though, and is set to replace Roofe up front as the hosts look to put this semi-final tie to bed.
Derby County created very little in terms of clear-cut chances in the 1st leg at Pride Park and are likely to be kicking themselves for not making the most of their home advantage as they now make their way up to Elland Road chasing this tie.
Derby’s previously impressive six-match unbeaten sequence in the Championship was brought to an abrupt end by Leeds United in the recent 1st leg, so The Rams will be desperate to rekindle their recent form here on Wednesday night which saw the visitors record wins over Bolton Wanderers, QPR, Bristol City and West Brom.
However, three of these four recent victories were registered at Pride Park, and with just one away win out of their last 10 matches on their travels as well as having to press forward here tonight, may well play nicely into Bielsa’s high-pressing, counter-attacking tactics which could spell further trouble for Derby County on Wednesday night.
In addition, The Rams may well have in the backs of their minds a 2-0 defeat the last time they visited Elland Road back in January, and having kept just three clean sheets on the road all season during this campaign, Derby County look to be up against it here.
A home win for Leeds United therefore looks to be on the cards.