Leeds United take on play-off chasing Derby County after extending their imperious unbeaten record in all competitions to seven matches, following a 2-1 defeat of Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium in the FA Cup third round on Monday night.

Following their progression into the fourth round of the FA Cup on Monday, in spite of head coach Garry Monk being pressurized into eight changes due to an unjustly rigorous schedule of fixtures, Leeds United do battle with Derby County at Elland Road tonight, in what could be decreed as being their most climacteric game of the season to date.

The task is conspicuous to all connected with Leeds United; win, and the club soars to 3rd in the table, eight points ahead of their vanquished opponents, putting the side in an almost unassailable position of security. Lose, and the gulf between United and County narrows significantly, and the pressure upon a youthful squad burgeons.

Statistically, Leeds have (having won their last four home matches without ceding a single goal) to be considered the favourites to emerge victorious from the match, but observers of this division must never cease to remind themselves of the truism that the Championship is one of, if not the most mercurial of footballing competitions. This season, the degree of unpredictability that pervades every nook and cranny of the league has been pronounced to a level hitherto unseen. You can be possessed of innumerable statistics but the seemingly reasoned conclusions that you draw from them may still prove imprecise, but this, an indisputable truth, only serves to further fuel the roaring fire of excitement that keeps this division burning with such passion, perpetually.

Team News

Leeds United

Left-back Charlie Taylor remains sidelined with injury (allegedly), while towering defensive juggernaut Pontus Jansson is suspended after receiving a tenth yellow card of the season against Cambridge United on Monday night.

Winger Hadi Sacko, along with erroneous defender Liam Cooper, are both doubts.

Derby County

The Rams are presently plagued by a plethora of injuries and suspensions, with no less than eight players set to miss out on tonight’s action through either hinderance. Defenders Craig Forsyth, Cyrus Christie, Max Lowe, and Markus Olsson are all afflicted by injuries at this time, as are midfielder George Thorne and forwards James Wilson and Nick Blackman (unfit).

Midfielder Jacob Butterfield is also suspended. New signing David Nugent could make a Derby debut, after joining the club from Premier League Middlesbrough for a fee of £2m.

Probable Lineups

Leeds United (4-2-3-1) - Green; Coyle, Ayling, Bartley, Berardi; Bridcutt, Hernandez; Sacko, Roofe, Doukara; Wood.

Derby County (4-3-3) - Carson; Baird, Keogh, Pearce, Hanson; Hughes, Johnson, Bryson; Ince, Bent, Russell.

Team Facts

Leeds United

Top Goalscorers: Chris Wood (16), Kyle Bartley (4), Souleymane Doukara (4).

Most Assists: Kemar Roofe (5), Pablo Hernandez (3), Hadi Sacko (3).

Highest Statistical Average Rating: Pontus Jansson (7.67).

Record in 2016-17 (League) - (5th) W - 14, D - 3, L - 8. (45 Points).

Derby County

Top Goalscorers: Tom Ince (8), Darren Bent (3), Bradley Johnson (2).

Most Assists: Tom Ince (3), Will Hughes (3), Chris Baird (1).

Highest Statistical Average Rating: Bradley Johnson (7.36).

Record in 2016-17 (League) - (7th) W - 11, D - 7, L - 7. (40 Points).

Media: Leeds United head coach Garry Monk

In his obligatory pre-match interview, Garry Monk looked ahead to tonight’s match and acknowledged the potency of United’s opposition, in addition to a burdening fixture schedule.

“We have had a short turnaround from Monday to Friday, it isn’t anything we haven’t coped with before but it isn’t ideal.

"it is what it is and we have to get on with it, we don’t make any excuses here and we are looking forward to the game.

“Everyone has a winning mentality, we are facing a lot of different circumstances in each game and it is standing this young group in good stead, we are coming out of the other side with wins and good performances.

“Every game we play is a big game and every game is a challenge, on Friday Derby will be a difficult game for us, they are doing very well.”

Match Facts

Chris Wood has scored the first goal of the game on seven occasions in the league this season - more than any other player in the Championship.

Leeds have already matched their tally of league wins for the entirety of the 2015/16 season (14) in just 25 games this season.

Since a run of four successive league defeats at Elland Road against Derby between 2006 and 2013, the Whites haven't lost to the Rams in their last three home meetings (W1 D2).

Star Men

Leeds United: Chris Wood, Forward (6.98 Average Statistical Rating)

The 25 year-old New Zealand international has been scoring prolifically, with great regularity throughout the entire season for Leeds United, having already bettered his tally for 2015-16 with 16 goals across all competitions thus far this term. The introduction of several inventive, creative conjurors into the Leeds United side has seen the Kiwi flourish, and after a brilliant brace in his last match against Rotherham United, one nonchalantly dismisses the possibility of him scoring once more tonight at their peril.

Fact: Wood, an international for New Zealand since 2009, has scored 18 goals on the world stage in 42 appearances.

Derby County: Tom Ince, Winger (7.22 Average Statistical Rating)

The 24 year-old has enjoyed another highly productive season sporting the colours of the Rams, having scored eight goals while laying on a further three for his teammates. A profoundly adroit and elegant player, Ince’s guile, speed, and incision in front of goal have made him a perennial attacking threat at Championship level.

Fact: Between 2012 and 2014, Ince was an England Under-21 international, scoring thrice in 18 appearances.

Writer's Verdict

After a somewhat commendable comeback against Cambridge United on the part of sporadic first-teamers, we make a brisk return to the onerous rigours of Championship football as we take on Derby County in what has been billed as a six-pointer in the skirmish for a play-off berth come May.

On paper, both squads appear have a crucial balance in terms of defence and attack, and the resurgence of the Rams under the tutelage of Steve McClaren should be noted.

I would however, make ourselves the favourites to capture all three points on offer, by virtue of home advantage; taking our imperious, and to a degree formidable form at home in recent months. The importance of this match cannot surely be understated, and the victors, in my view, will almost certainly go on to contest the nauseating lottery of the play-offs at the end of the season.

Prediction: Leeds United 2-1 Derby County

Statistics derived from WhoScored.com

Photo: Action Images

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