Preview:Leeds United vs. Derby County

Top-of-the-table Derby County will be looking to extend their lead in the Championship when they travel to Elland Road to take on Leeds United this weekend.

The Rams enjoyed a successful week last time out, with their 2-1 victory over promotion rivals Watford being coupled by fellow challengers Bournemouth, Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town all dropping points.

As a result, they are now three points clear at the summit and also boast the joint-best attack in the division as well as the third-tightest defence.

Steve McClaren will be delighted with the way his side are playing at the moment, and another victory this weekend would give them four in a row for the first time this season.

No Championship team has amassed more points on their travels than the Rams so far, while they have won six of their last seven away games in all competitions, scoring 15 goals in the process.

There will be no Jack Butland between the sticks from now on, however, as the keeper has returned to parent club Stoke City after a five-week loan, and Lee Grant could return from injury as a result.

McClaren may opt to recall Craig Bryson after he came off the bench to net the winner against Watford, while Jordan Ibe should have done enough to keep his place following his opening goal.

Leeds, meanwhile, will be looking to overturn a poor run of form both in the Championship and against Derby. They have won none and lost nine of their last 11 matches against the Rams, a run that includes four defeats and a draw at Elland Road.

In the league, Neil Redfearn got his first win as permanent boss before the international break, but a 2-1 defeat at the hands of 10-man Blackburn last time out means that that is their solitary victory since he left as caretaker manager, 10 matches ago.

That result also saw them drop down to 16th in the table, and just two points now separate them from the bottom three.

They have only lost twice at Elland Road all season, however, while the 3-1 victory over Blackpool in their last home game ended a run of four matches without a win in front of their own fans.

Redfearn has given his backing to goalkeeper Marco Silvestri following his mistake against Blackburn, so the Italian should start in goal once again this weekend. The Leeds boss has no new injury concerns and could name an unchanged side despite defeat last time out.

Leeds:

Recent form: DLLDWL

Possible starting lineup: Silvestri; Byram, Cooper, Pearce, Warnock; Cook, Bianchi, Adryan, Mowatt; Doukara, Antenucci

Derby:

Form in Championship: WLLWWW Form in all competitions: LWLWWW

Possible starting lineup: Grant; Christie, Keogh, Shotton, Forsyth; Hendrick, Mascarell, Bryson; Russell, Martin, Ibe

Sports Mole says: 0-3