Leeds v Derby Betting Tips: Monk’s men to continue on the up

This match sees two sides towards the top of the Championship table go head-to-head at Elland Road. It also sees two of the league’s most defensively sound teams go to work on each other.

Leeds are currently on a fantastic run having won all but one of their last six matches in all competitions, including a spirited fight back against lower league Cambridge United in the FA Cup on Monday night. This excellent form has put them right in the play-off mix as they currently sit fifth and five points ahead of seventh.

Garry Monk’s team have a good balance in that they are clinical up front whilst remaining solid at the back – hence why four of their last five victories have come with clean sheets. Additionally, the last time they conceded more than once in a match was seven games ago when they lost 2-0 to league leaders Brighton & Hove Albion.

Home form has been key for the Yorkshire side having won their last four matches at Elland Road, scoring eight and conceding none. Prior to the loss against Newcastle United before that winning run, Leeds had also been exceptional on home turf with four victories in five home games.

Derby County are the team currently closest to the play-offs, sitting in seventh and just two points off that top six spot currently occupied by Sheffield Wednesday. They had been on a fantastic winning run which stretched from 29th October to 14th December in the league but have now won just once in their last four, losing their most recent match 3-0 away at Norwich City.

Until recently, the Rams were much like Leeds in that they were good at the back whilst being potent in the final third. However, Steve McLaren’s men have now only scored once in their last three matches and conceded five in their last four.

It has been the away form which has led to Derby’s slightly rocky spell and the Rams have taken just one point from a possible six in recent matches on the road. It is worth noting that these two disappointing point hauls have come against sides lower than themselves in the division and so it will be interesting to see how they cope at higher-placed Leeds.

This is likely to be a tight affair, but, being the home side, Leeds have enough to come out on top against a lacklustre Derby front-line. Backing the hosts at 7/4 is certainly the way to go here. 

See more tips here.