TipResumen

LEEDS UNITED

The Marcelo Bielsa era at Leeds United could not have started in a much more positive manner than it has, but the fans won't be getting too excited knowing the amount of false dawns that have risen over Elland Road in recent years. There is also a question as to whether Leeds United can maintain the standards set in the first two weeks of the season, but for now the fans will arrive at the Stadium on Saturday with some real belief in their team. It is one thing winning Championship games, but Leeds United have impressed by crushing Stoke City and Derby County who are amongst the favourites for promotion to the Premier League. They have also progressed in the League Cup to keep the momentum going and Leeds United are strong favourites to win this Yorkshire derby. Leeds United have lost 1 of their last 6 games in all competitions going back to last season and they have won 5 of those games. They are also unbeaten in their last 6 home games in all competitions and Leeds United have won 5 of those including the last 4 in a row across the last few months.



ROTHERHAM UNITED

The 2016/17 season was a very difficult one for Rotherham United who were relegated from the Championship and never looked like being able to maintain their spot at that level. They bounced back effectively by earning promotion back to the Championship by winning the League One Play Offs and now there will be some confidence they can perform better in this Division than they did two seasons ago. The opening day 5-1 defeat at Brentford might have had fans wondering if this was going to be another really difficult season in the Championship, but The Millers are much improved under Paul Warne. The manager has restored the belief of the players and that has been underlined by the way Rotherham United have bounced back from the heavy loss at Griffin Park to beat Ipswich Town in the League and Wigan Athletic in the League Cup. Rotherham United have lost 1 of their last 7 games in all competitions going back to last season and they have won 4 games in that run (in normal time). One concern for the side is they have won 1 of their last 7 away games in all competitions and the defeat to Brentford meant Rotherham United have lost 4 of their last 7 on their travels.



HEAD TO HEAD

Leeds United did the League double over Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United two seasons ago which included a 3-0 win over them at Elland Road. Leeds United have won their last 2 home games against Rotherham United having failed to win any of 4 previously.



PREDICTION

You don't want to make sweeping judgements in the Championship after the first two weeks of the season as it is a Division in which things can change very quickly. However you can't help but be impressed with the way the Leeds United players have bought into Marcelo Bielsa's tactics in the opening two weeks of the season. The manager has mainly been working with the same set of players who finished 13th in the Championship last season, but the performances in the wins over Stoke City and Derby County have been eyecatching. Add in the quality of the opponents and you can imagine there is some excitement around Elland Road ahead of this Yorkshire derby. Rotherham United are improved under Paul Warne and have shown their belief in the manager by recovering from their 5-1 hammering at Brentford on the opening day. However this is a team who have not been travelling at their best and 4 losses in 7 away games going back to their time in League One is a tough run. If they can frustrate Leeds United they might surprise by earning a point, but it will be tough to prevent the home team building momentum having scored early goals in all three games played this season. Being at home should be enough of an edge for Leeds United to beat Rotherham United for the third straight time at Elland Road and I will back them to cover the Asian Handicap in the win too.