Match Preview

Leeds United (H)

|
Image for Leeds United (H)

After a thrashing at Reading on Saturday, Derby have a chance to show what they’re made of against Leeds in this Carling Cup Fourth round clash and get back to winning ways and claim a place in the quarter-finals. A strong looking team won 4-1 at Brighton in the last round and The Rams will see this an ideal opportunity to reach the last eight in a tournament they’ve traditionally struggled in over the last few years.

With injuries biting in the centre of defence Paul Jewell will be hoping that Lewin Nyatanga can keep his form going with whoever partners him. Tito Villa scored a hat-trick in the last round against Brighton and will be looking to keep his goalscoring run going against lower league opposition.

Gary McAllister has his team looking likely to push for promotion again this season after last season’s disappointment at Wembley against Doncaster and Leeds currently sit second in League One one point behind Scunthorpe. United have beaten Chester and Hartlepoool and had an impressive 4-0 win over Crystal Palace to reach this fourth round clash. Jermaine Beckford looks set to recover from a hip injury to keep his place in the starting line-up and has scored four goals so far in this competition.

Vital Quotes:

‘Derby have had a bit of a resurgence but looking at them man for man, we go there – and I’ll tell this to the players – we’ve nothing to fear, we’ve got to go there trying to win.

‘It’s not on many occasions this season that we go somewhere as underdogs, but the tables have turned a bit and the pressure is on Derby.’

Gary McAllister talking to Radio Leeds about tonight’s clash.

Derby County Team News:

Martin Albrechtsen and Dean Leacock look set to miss out with injuries but everyone else has returned to fitness so a full squad bar those two and Nacer Barazite who isn’t allowed to play.

Player to watch: Tito Villa

Hat-trick in the last round against Brighton and looking to keep his place in the starting line-up with Rob Hulse returning to fitness.

Leeds United Team News:

Jermaine Beckford to recover from a hip injury to keep his place in the starting line-up and Jonathan Webb will be looking to keep his place after starting at the weekend.

Player to watch: Jermaine Beckford

Predictable, but the striker is full of goals and has been in fine form this season with thirteen goals in total and four already in the league cup. Rumoured to be a Derby target last season but that was denied by all parties.

Match Facts & Stats

Last five results

Derby County

Coventry City (A) 1-1 Hulse
Norwich City (H) 3-1 Green, Hulse, Kazmierczak
Nottingham Forest (H) 1-1 Villa
Brighton & Hove Albion (A) 4-1 Villa (3), Ellington
Reading (A) 0-3

Leeds United

Leyton Orient (H) 2-1 Purches (og), Becchio
Walsall (H) 3-0 Becchio, Delph (2)
Southend United (A) 0-1
Cheltenham (A) 1-0 Becchio
Northampton Town (H) 1-1 Robinson

Match Prediction:

A chance for Derby to quickly get back to winning ways after the defeat at the Madejski on Saturday. Leeds are riding in League One and will be boosted by the inclusion of Beckford if fit but they won’t have enough here to overcome The Rams and Derby will take this 2-1.

Next Fixtures:

15th Nov v Sheffield Wednesday (Coca Cola Championship) Pride Park

Share this article