Derby County welcome Stoke City to Pride Park in this weekend’s opening Sky Bet Championship clash.
A win will see Derby climb to 13th ahead of the weekend’s fixtures, whilst Stoke look to move up to 18th and eight points clear of relegation.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesDerby have no fresh injury concerns to report following Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat at Luton, as Max Lowe begins a one-match ban after being sent off in that match.
Krystian Bielik (knee), George Evans, Tom Huddlestone and Ikechi Anya (all calf) are also ruled out.
Stoke have no fresh injury concerns to report ahead of this match.
Form
Derby saw their five league match unbeaten run ended in midweek (W3, D2, L1), although they have kept just three clean sheets in the last two months in all competitions.
Stoke come into this game unbeaten in their last four league games (W3, D1) with three consecutive clean sheets in their last three outings.
Stat Attack
- Derby are unbeaten in three of their last five meetings against Stoke in all competitions (W1, D2, L2).
- Stoke have kept a clean sheet in their last three trips to Derby in all competitions (W2, D1).
- Having won three of their first four meetings in the rebranded Championship, Derby are winless in their five Championship clashes against Stoke (D2, L3).
Prediction
I haven’t been impressed by either team this season because they both have been embarrassing defensively, yet their attack is still strong so I am expecting to see a lively game here full of chances.
Stoke however seem to have found some momentum at the back in recent weeks so I am going for a narrow away win.
Prediction: Derby County 1-2 Stoke City
Result: Derby County 4-0 Stoke City