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The spygate scandal back in January created one of the greatest stories of the season, but could it yet work in Derby’s favour five months later.

The Rams were completely thrown off their game when they played Leeds at Pride Park in January and the Whites dominated in a 2-0 win.

Before the match Marcelo Bielsa held a press conference where he went through a powerpoint presentation, detailing everything he knew about Frank Lampard’s team.

The incident and fallout surrounding it may now come back to bite Leeds as it may bring about both a tactical and mental disadvantage.

Mental disadvantage

Both teams will undoubtedly be determined to get to Wembley for the playoff final, but the incident earlier in the year may spur the Derby players on even more.

Mason Bennett has already spoken about spygate telling the Derbyshire Telegraph: “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.

“The gaffer (Frank Lampard) is buzzing for those games and we are as well as a team. Hopefully, we can go and put on a performance.”

Tactical disadvantage

Whereas Bielsa got an insight into Lampard’s preparation in January, the Chelsea legend has had five months to prepare for a potential rematch.

The Argentine’s powerpoint presentation showed everything that he knows about Derby, and more importantly, it showed the Rams boss what he needed to adjust if the two sides met again.

The 63-year-old can’t spy this time after his club received a £200,000 fine from the EFL following the first incident.

Lampard will have watched back the presentation the Leeds boss put on in January, and he will surely have a plan B to throw the former Marseille boss off in the playoffs.