Leeds United make the trip to Derby County on Sunday afternoon with the pressure off after sealing top spot in the Championship.

The Whites' promotion was confirmed on Friday and they were crowned champions less than 24 hours later, all without kicking a ball.

Match preview

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Sixteen years on from their Premier League relegation, Leeds are finally back in the big time - and as champions too courtesy of shock defeats on successive days for closest challengers West Bromwich Albion and Brentford.

It would not be Leeds United had they not had a slight wobble, which came in the form of a loss to Cardiff City and home draw with Luton Town in quick succession last month.

No harm was done, though, and unlike in previous years - not least last season when ironically losing a dramatic playoff semi to Derby - they have avoided any heartbreak this time around.

Leeds have won their last four matches, the last two of those by the same slender 1-0 scoreline against Swansea City and Barnsley.

The victory over Yorkshire rivals Barnsley was at times scrappy, and it took and own goal from Michael Sollbauer to earn the win, but it was very much a case of job done.

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Marcelo Bielsa will be keen to finish such a memorable season strongly against Derby and then Charlton Athletic, but they will also relish the rare experience of not having any pressure on their shoulders going into the final two games of the campaign.

Derby have been inextricably entwined with some of the most memorable Leeds headlines recently - from spygate to last season's playoffs - and they will no doubt be keen to bring their rivals back down to the ground with a bump in this match, particularly if there is the added ignominy of a guard of honour.

Phillip Cocu's men have lost three games in a row, with their 2-1 reverse against Cardiff City in midweek all but killing off their slim promotion hopes, which have now been dashed entirely by Saturday's results.

There is now a nine-point gap on the Bluebirds in sixth with six points to play for, so even wins over Leeds and Birmingham City would not be enough for the Rams to make the playoffs again.

While Derby came out on top in last season's incredible playoff clash, they have not beaten Leeds in any of their last four regular season meetings since October 2017.

Derby County's Championship form: WWDLLL

Leeds United's Championship form: WDWWWW

Team News

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Influential midfielder Kalvin Phillips will play no part in Leeds' concluding fixtures due to a knee injury, so Ben White will operate in holding midfield.

Kiko Casilla has served an eight-game suspension for alleged racism, but he faces a battle in ousting Illan Meslier for these final two matches.

At the opposite end of the field, Mateusz Klich has been directly involved in five of Leeds' last nine away goals in the Championship and is certain to start this one.

Derby will welcome Martyn Waghorn back from suspension for Sunday's match, which will likely mean Chris Martin dropping down to the bench.

Jayden Bogle is another in contention to return in place of Max Lowe at right-back after replacing him against Cardiff.

Teenage midfielder Louie Sibley has enjoyed an impressive breakthrough campaign and is one for Leeds' defenders to watch out for.

Cocu has a decision to make in goal, meanwhile, after taking Ben Hamer out of the firing line in midweek - Kelle Roos the man to profit from that call.

Derby County possible starting lineup:
Hamer; Bogle, Clarke, Davies, Lowe; Rooney, Bird; Knight, Sibley, Lawrence; Waghorn

Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Meslier; Ayling, Cooper, Berardi, Dallas; White; Costa, Roberts, Klich, Harrison; Bamford

We say: Derby County 0-2 Leeds United

Leeds have won four of their last five away matches - as many as they managed in the previous 13 on the road - while Derby have lost three games in a row and are winless in four. The Whites are assured of top spot, but we fully expect them to kick on by picking up a 27th win of an incredible campaign.

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