Leeds United did the double over Derby County during the regular season.
Sky Sports pundit Neil Mellor has interestingly warned Derby County not to get ‘distracted’ by potential Spygate talk ahead of their showdown with Leeds United on Saturday.
The last time the two teams met was in January during the regular season when the build-up to their encounter was marred by Marcelo Bielsa admitting that he had spied on the Rams.
It was a controversy that caused big debates and was one which did not sit well with Rams boss Frank Lampard, who ended up losing the encounter 2-0 on the night.
Speaking to Sky Sports News (08/05/2019 at 10:50 am), Mellor seemingly stated that if Lampard and his players do get swayed by Spygate talk then it might ‘influence’ what happens on the night.
“Last time that 2-0 at Elland Road when the Spygate situation kicked off,” Mellor told Sky Sports News. “I think for Frank and Derby, they don’t get distracted by that. Maybe that’ll influence them on the night itself.”
There will be two playoff encounters from the Championship taking place on Saturday, starting with the Midland derby between Aston Villa and West Brom.
Both teams possess some of the best attacking talents in the league and they will be a threat for whoever wins the other tie between Derby and Leeds.
Villa reached the playoff finals last season but lost out to now-relegated Fulham. Derby were beaten by the London club in the semi-finals and could potentially meet Smith’s side in the final if they both progress.
But Leeds, who finished third in the league this term, will want to have a say in that, alongside West Brom, who were a Premier League club last season.
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