Leeds United welcome Derby to Elland Road on Saturday afternoon.
Phillip Cocu has acknowledged that Leeds United are a very good side – but insisted that his Derby County team are too.
The Rams renew hostilities with Leeds at Elland Road this Saturday.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side, who were eliminated from the playoff semi-finals by Frank Lampard’s Derby side last season, sit top of the Championship after Sunday’s win at Barnsley.
So far, United look every inch like the pre-season favourites for promotion that they were billed as, and although Cocu is anticipating a tough test, the Dutch legend, whose troops are without a win in five league games, believes that his players also pose a threat to Bielsa’s.
He told the club’s official website: “It will be a big occasion, absolutely. They play very well and are a very good team.
“It is a game of football, anything is possible. If we can bring our game to this match, we know we can be a hard team to beat. It is a difficult game, but it is always possible to get a result.
“They can play football, but we can play as well.”
The form book indicates that Leeds are easy winners in this one, but there is an element of hostility between both sides, dating back to the Spygate saga in January, and the Derby lads will be motivated to do a number of their West Yorkshire counterparts, even if Lampard has left the club.
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