Leeds fell out of the division’s automatic promotion places as last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Blackburn Rovers was followed by a 2-0 victory for Burnley at Stoke City. After a Friday night win for Sheffield United at home to Sunderland, Daniel Farke’s Whites have been left in third place, one point behind second-placed Burnley and three adrift of leaders Sheffield United.
But Chris Wilder’s Blades must wait until Sunday afternoon for their next fixture away at West Brom, providing Leeds with the chance to move back into the automatic promotion spots with a victory in Saturday’s 12.30pm kick-off against the Rams. Burnley play on Friday night at home to Middlesbrough.
Boss Daniel Farke made two changes to his side for last weekend’s disappointing defeat at Ewood Park for which Junior Firpo returned from suspension to replace the injured Sam Byram who had been deputising in Firpo’s absence. Dan James also came into the XI as Manor Solomon was benched. We now think that more changes will be afoot against Derby and this is the XI that we think will take to the pitch to face the Rams.
7. CM: Joe Rothwell
Another for whom last weekend's defeat at Blackburn would have hit particularly hard given his Rovers history but a player who has impressed upon being given his chance in centre midfield by the injuries to Gruev and Ampadu. Photo: George Wood
8. RW: Willy Gnonto
The front four failed to fire at Blackburn and it would be no surprise to now see changes but probably not with Gnonto who looked by far and away the most likely to make something happen before being subbed as part of a triple change in the 69th minute. Photo: Gary Oakley
9. LW: Manor Solomon
Tottenham loanee Solomon dropped to the bench at Blackburn despite promising recent signs and bringing the Israel international back into the XI looks an obvious call against Derby. The second change, in for Dan James who failed to fire at Rovers although he was hardly alone on that front. Photo: George Wood
10. ACM: Brenden Aaronson
Aaronson is enduring a frustrating time of things at present and a change in his no 10 position must surely be tempting but Farke is clearly a big fan of him in the position and the gut feeling is that Whites boss will keep it as it is. Gnonto in the position looks an obvious alternative - or pushing Rothwell up once Ampadu is back. Photo: George Wood
11. ST: Joel Piroe
Another where a change would be no surprise and seemingly now a three-way call upon Patrick Bamford and not Mateo Joseph being brought on to replace a disappointing Piroe at Blackburn. But Bamford's minutes at Ewood Park were his first for nearly four weeks and it would raise eyebrows if the Whites no 9 suddenly came into the XI. Joseph or Piroe then, hard to call but probably Piroe given a go from the start. Photo: George Wood