When Derby and Leeds go head-to-head for a third time this season in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi final on Saturday, there will be any number of subplots for those watching on from afar to focus.

But while those in the stands and beyond can discuss the likes of 'Spygate', Leeds' recent collapse and the decisions over whether or not to charge players from either side for recent incidents, those on the pitch will have to be fully focused on what they are doing there and then, given what could be at stake for one of these sides.

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Two men who will have a key part to play in keeping their teammate's eyes on the prize will be the two sides respective captains - Derby's Richard Keogh and Leeds' Liam Cooper.

As well as wearing the armband, both players will be required to marshal their respective defences from their centre back positions, against two strong attacking sides.

Here, we look at how the two defensive leaders shape up against one another ahead of one of the biggest games of their season.

Looking back over the course of the season there is clearly little to separate the two players.

Keogh has a slender lead when it comes to clearances per game averaged, while Cooper usually makes slightly more passes than Keogh, although it is the Derby man who has the slightly better pass success rate.

Going forward, both players have identical attacking records, having scored the same amount of goals, with each player also making a single assist.

The big difference here comes in the form of their appearance records. Keogh has been an ever present for Derby this season, while Cooper has missed no fewer than 10 games for Leeds.

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That could really go either way - will the miles start to tell in the legs of the 32-year-old Keogh, or does it show that he is able to run off knocks and niggles better than the 27-year-old Cooper, who in turn may hope to be fresher heading into the promotion deciders given his more reduced game time.

With the form these two sides have shown over the course of the season, this is a play-off semi final that feels too tight to call, and this comparison between the two captains only appears to reflect that feeling.

This is one not to be missed.