Leeds face play-off hopefuls Derby in the final game of the season.

Leeds welcome Derby County to Elland Road on Saturday for the final game of the Whites Championship season. The fans can put a dreadful season behind them and can begin preparing themselves for England's inevitable penalty shoot-out defeat in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

The Whites looked like they would be in with a shout for a play-off spot themselves before a dramatic fall down the table left them hoping to avoid relegation. A mid-table finish for the third consecutive season is difficult to take for most Leeds fans but under Massimo Cellino they can hopefully look forward to a busy summer and then a successful 14/15 campaign.

Leeds have a terrible recent record against Derby, losing 11 in a row. McDermott will be hoping to end the streak in a season that has seen him end Leeds' losing streaks at Ipswich, Barnsley and most recently, Birmingham. The Whites have managed three wins in their last four, a feat they hadn't achieved since November 2013.

Derby have had a terrific season and head into the play-off's on fine form. As they sit third in the table they will have home advantage in the second leg. Five wins in a row means the Rams are the in-form side heading into the play-off's.

Sacking Nigel Clough and replacing him with Steve McClaren seems to have been a master-stroke by the higher powers at Derby as they have climbed from 14th to 3rd under the former England managers guidance. McClaren also inspired his side to a 5-0 thrashing of fierce rivals Nottingham Forest in March.

Chris Martin is the clubs leading league goal scorer as he has managed to find the back of the net 20 times in the Championship. The Rams have beaten Leeds 10 times in a row and the run stretches back to December 2006. With the play-offs just a week after the final game of the season, it is likely the Rams will rest a number of key players but they will still be up for the occasion as everybody loves to beat Leeds.

Ross McCormack didn't score in the 3-1 victory at Birmingham and the Whites captain still needs two goals to reach 30 in the Championship. The prolific striker is however just one away from 30 overall in a spectacular season for the Whites number 44. The Scottish international is the only Leeds player to have been named in the PFA Championship team of the year and I'm sure all Leeds fans are grateful for his services to the club this season.  

The sides have already met this season when the Rams ran out 3-1 winners in Steve McClaren's first game as Derby boss. Neither side has anything to play for but Derby will be hoping they won't have to play Leeds next season as they push for promotion.

Massimo Cellino offered Brian McDermott his sympathy this week giving the former Reading manager a glimpse of hope that he won't be sacked. Captain Ross McCormack has also said he wants Cellino to give him a contract extension at the club, giving the fans hope the clubs top scorer will be a Leeds player next season.

Last meeting: October 5, 2013, Derby County 3-1 Leeds United (Pearce)

At Elland Road: April 1, 2013, Leeds United 1-2 Derby County (McCormack)
Last five league games: Leeds United LWWLW
Derby County WWWWW

Latest results - Birmingham City 1-3 Leeds United / Derby County 4-2 Watford 

Pictures courtesy of: Daily Mail, Leeds United & Id Radebe Leeds