Derby will hope to cement their position in the top two when they travel to Leeds United tonight for a match scheduled to be played in front of the television cameras — providing Leeds relent and allow the cameras in.
Although Derby lacked a little fluidity to their play against Fulham, they grafted hard and ground out a positive result. Grant had to make a couple of crucial saves and the game was not over until Butterfield's fine one two with Martin set him up to deliver what was a clinical finish.
Tonight’s game will be a difficult away fixture as Leeds will be buoyed by their last result when a late equaliser away at Notts Forest nabbed them a point. United are on a good run being undefeated in their last five games, winning three.
They are likely to play Wood as a lone striker with Byram and Dallas looking to support. Antenucci and Doukara will be pushing for starts, especially the latter, as he looked a threat when coming on against Florist.
Bellusci will look to marshall the defence and manager Evans will be sure to have Leeds fired up in front of their home crowd as they look to get nearer to the play off places. Derby will be tested, so they need to be compact and stay tight to their opponents. Leeds tends to rely on crosses and chipped balls into the box, looking for the heading ability and knock downs from Wood.
Looking at the way Leeds line up, Derby's middle three of Thorne, Johnson and Butterfield will need to dominate. This is the heartbeat of the team and this is where the game will be won or lost. It is likely to be a tight game. Both teams are on a good run and it's likely to be one mistake or one moment of brilliance that will decide it.
Derby could be unchanged as they face one of only two teams to beat them in the league this season. Weimann could come in for Russell and Hendrick may give fresh legs in the middle of the park.
Most fans will feel that if it is not broken, then there is nothing to fix. Generally, players like to play. Players also like to play when the team is winning games, as Derby are.
Prediction:
Derby will have to defend well for periods as they did away to Ipswich but could get joy out wide with the pace and trickery of Russell and Ince.
Martin will need to make sure he is in the game, clever when finding space and making the ball stick. One of the midfield three also needs to regularly get close to him when the ball is played up.
Derby's motivation will be to make amends for their defeat when they went down to Leeds earlier in the season. Derby needs to put that wrong right.
Derby to win 2-1 with Butterfield and Martin to score.
Happy New Year to all Derby County fans and RamZone readers. Again, thank you for reading and here's to an interesting and exciting 2016!
Derby 1 v 2 Leeds
iPro Stadium — 29th August 2015
Derby 3 v 3 Leeds
The Baseball Ground — August 1996
Paul Clement hoping to end the year on a high note.
Former Leeds Captain Stephen Warnock on returning to Elland Road as a Ram.
COYR!!