Championship football - Leeds United vs Derby County betting preview

Leeds United begin their campaign to return to the Premier League this evening as they face Derby County at Elland Road. After three seasons in League One, supporters of the once-great club will feel last season`s promotion was a long time coming and in a very open league there is every chance their side could follow it with another.

The hosts are favourites for the game at 7/6 (bet £60 to win £70 profit) on Betfair, leaving Derby as underdogs at 3/1 with Sky Bet and Coral, with the draw at 12/5 with Ladbrokes and Stan James.

Most bookmakers have made a 1-1 draw the favourite score for the match, offering 6/1, with Stan James going 7/1 on a 1-0 home win. A goalless draw is 9/1 with the same firm and a more comfortable 2-0 is also at 9/1 with Extrabet.

Luciano Becchio is favourite to open the scoring tonight at 11/2 with most layers, followed closely by Billy Paynter, signed from Swindon Town this summer, at 6/1 with Bet 365. Mike Grella is 8/1 with Ladbrokes to do the honours this evening, while Paddy Power offer the same price on Rob Hulse, who scored twelve times for Derby in the Championship last season.

Stan James and Victor Chandler make Leeds 5/2 to lead at both half-time and full-time this evening and the hosts are 9/2 on Betfair to take slightly longer to get going and win the match after drawing at half-time. The same price is available at Ladbrokes that both halves end in a draw and Derby are 13/2 generally to get in front before the break and stay there, giving Leeds an early set-back in their quest for promotion.

Leeds are not among the favourites for the Championship this season but their odds of 20/1 on Betfair suggest they could easily mount some challenge. Derby, however, are as long as 49/1 on the exchange and will in all likelihood be aiming for a playoff spot.

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