Derby star Mason Bennett has huge warning for Leeds United

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Mason Bennett has been quoted by Derbyshire Live as handing Leeds United a huge warning ahead of the Whites’ play-off semi-final clash on Saturday against Derby County.

An intense rivalry has brewed between Leeds and Derby this season, after the breakout of ‘Spygate’. It saw Frank Lampard incensed that Marcelo Bielsa had sent one of his coaches to watch Derby’s training session.

That being said, Leeds have picked up six points in their two league matches against Derby – beating Lampard’s side 4-1 at Pride Park before earning a comfortable 2-0 win at Elland Road back in January.

But Derby are in their best form all season, losing just one of their last 12 matches and picking up 23 points from a possible 36. Now, striker Bennett has sent a warning to Leeds ahead of Saturday’s first leg.

“We were fuming about the whole (Spygate) situation with Leeds. The (Derby) fans have been singing, ‘We’re coming for you’ – I think that’s the message. That’s what we need to do,” Bennett said.

“In football, anyone can beat anyone on their day. We’re going into the play-offs in good form but we’ve got to stay focused and not get ahead of ourselves. It’s a big couple of games we’ve got and, hopefully, we can come out on top.”

TBR’s view

The fact Leeds have comfortable beaten Derby on two occasions this season, with an aggregate score of 6-1, will give Marcelo Bielsa’s side enormous confidence going into the play-offs.

Leeds have Kemar Roofe back from injury and are certainly favourites to progress ahead of Derby. But the Rams are certainly in form, while Leeds are not. The Whites have failed to win in their last four games, losing three of those.

But as we have seen in the play-offs before, it is whoever turns up on the day and handles the pressure.