Penalties awarded have been a rare occurrence for Leeds United and Derby County this season

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Leeds United and Derby County are among the most attacking teams in the Championship.

Leeds United and Derby County have both been awarded the joint-least amount of penalties this season despite the two clubs being among the Championship entertainers for attacking football.

The Whites and the Rams have only been awarded one penalty each this season – the same amount as strugglers Ipswich Town, Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield Wednesday.

While such a statistic doesn’t come as a surprise to those clubs down the bottom who spend the majority of their games defending or struggling to mount dangerous attacks, Leeds and Derby are the complete opposite.

Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds are currently third in the Championship table, two points behind leaders Norwich City. Only four Championship teams have scored more goals than Leeds this season, while their average 16.1 shots per game is more than any other side.

But why haven’t they won more penalties this season? Their high-pressing and direct running means opposition defenders are surely more vulnerable to committing fouls in the area. Bournemouth, for instance, during their 2014-15 campaign were awarded a whopping 15 penalties as the Cherries won promotion to the Premier League.

Derby are also at the bottom of the Championship table for penalties awarded, despite Frank Lampard’s insistence on his side playing attacking football.

The Rams have generally been fearless this season, scoring seven goals on the road against Premier League opposition Manchester United, Chelsea, Southampton and Brighton in cup competitions while they defeated West Bromwich Albion 4-1 at the Hawthorns back in October.

Lampard’s side also rank in the top six for average shots per game, chances created and possession stats. With Harry Wilson, Tom Lawrence and Jack Marriott quick and direct on the ball, it’s somewhat bizarre they also haven’t been awarded more spot-kicks this term.

Whether it’s down to luck or unfavourable decision making, both clubs will be hoping their lack of opportunities to score from the spot doesn’t play a big part in their upcoming bid for promotion.