EFL Championship Play-off 2018/19 Tactical Analysis: Derby County vs Leeds United

The EFL Championship has entered the play-off stage which will decide the last team to be promoted to the Premier League. Two of the teams qualified for this stage are Derby County and Leeds United. They met each other in the second play-off match which occurred on Saturday evening. And with the return leg just 24 hours away, get the latest customer sign up offers to back your bets  this analysis will give you plenty to consider.

Under the innovative and magnificent Marcelo Bielsa, Leeds have treated their fans with a high-tempo style of play. At times, the Yorkshire side were comfortable on top of the league table. But their inconsistent form cost them the season and they had to wait until the play-offs for their chance at promotion. Nonetheless, we should give credits to Bielsa himself because of his efforts to transform an ambitious squad into a promotion-contender.

In his first season as a manager, Frank Lampard has helped Derby secure a playoff spot by finishing 6^th. His side boasts for their free-flowing attacking play, while still keep things tight at the back. This once again showed when Derby entered the match against Leeds at their home. They managed to keep Leeds quiet in the first half, but a second-half goal from Kemar Roofe gained Leeds a 1-0 advantage.

This tactical analysis will help you understand how Leeds overcame Derby’s pressure and won the first-leg. Meanwhile, using statistics, we will analyse what Lampard and his side need to do in the second leg.

Lineups

Lampard made one change when Derby welcomed Leeds. He switched the team’s formation from a 4-3-3 into a 4-2-3-1. Mason Mount and Bradley Johnson paired up as central midfielders while Duane Holmes played as an attacking midfielder. Alongside the United States-born midfielder was Liverpool loanee Harry Wilson and Tom Lawrence. Up front, veteran striker David Nugent became the focal point of Derby’s attacks.

Bielsa also had one change to their usual 4-1-4-1. Swiss defender Gaetano Berardi came in for Pontus Jansson, who was a doubt with an ankle injury. Stuart Dallas continued to be the first-choice left-back as both Barry Douglas and Ezgjan Alioski were absented. Shielding in front of the defence was Kalvin Phillips, whose form was consistent throughout the season.

On the bench, Izzy Brown returned after an ACL injury. He was joined by goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell and other Leeds youngsters including Jack Clarke and Jamie Shackleton.

Derbys style of play

There was a reason behind Lampard’s decision to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The former Chelsea player wanted to dominate the middle area and win the midfield battle. He managed to accomplish that according to the graph below. Throughout the match, they won 38% of their challenges in the middle area and 2% lesser in Leeds’ third.