Pride at stake with Marcelo’s men on march
DERBY and Leeds both kicked off their campaigns with impressive victories against tough opposition – but something has to give at Pride Park tonight.
And while Frank Lampard’s side are the 11-10 favourites here, it is the visitors I like the look of at a tempting 5-2.
After the standout performance of the opening weekend in my book, Leeds fans have every reason to believe they could achieve promotion come next May.
If you are looking for a pattern in the head-to-heads between these two sides, you will do well to find one. It has been a while since Derby dominated this fixture after a run of 10 straight victories in all comps between 2006-13.
But in the last nine meetings we have seen three draws and three wins apiece. So let’s take past clashes out of the equation and focus on the here and now.
Derby were fortunate to take all three points from Reading last Friday, with a goalkeeping error and a last-gasp header deciding the outcome.
Leeds, on the other hand, on the Leeds win and both teams to score with me at 11-2.
The Premier League is back and my best top-flight bet has to be Fulham to beat Crystal Palace at 29-20.
They have made some exceptional additions this summer and look a genuine force – so much so that I’d fancy them finishing the top promoted club at 5-2.
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