Saturday’s big Sky Bet Championship clash sees Derby County continue their battle against relegation as they welcome Middlesbrough to Pride Park.
Victory could send Derby as high as 19th, whereas Boro can stay seventh with a win and potentially move to within two points of sixth-placed Bournemouth.
Team News
Derby have no fresh injury concerns to report as new loan signing from Rangers, George Edmundson moves closer towards a first appearance for the Rams after needing hernia surgery.
Tom Lawrence (ankle), Jack Stretton (groin) and Curtis Davies (Achilles) are still ruled out.
Middlesbrough could welcome Dael Fry back after the defender missed last Saturday’s defeat to Brentford with a calf injury.
Marcus Tavernier, Marcus Browne (both knee), Grant Hall (thigh) and Ashley Fletcher (hamstring) remain sidelined, although Tavernier, Hall and Fletcher are set to return in coming weeks once fully fit.
Stat Attack
- Derby have lost just one of their last five meetings against Middlesbrough (W1, D3, L1).
- Middlesbrough have lost one of their last five trips to Pride Park (W2, D2, L1).
- Each of Derby’s last four home games have been settled by one goal results, with the Rams winning two of those games (W2, L2).
Prediction
Having played just once in the last fortnight, it is hard to predict how Derby will fare, because they will either come out fighting or will be rusty in the opening stages which represents a nice opportunity for Boro to pounce.
Speaking of Boro, their league form in 2021 so far has been poor with seven points from seven games but they did produce a decent attacking performance despite getting thrashed last weekend by Brentford.
Now if they can build on the promising aspects and produce a stronger defensive display then I can see Derby struggling, especially given how sluggish the Rams are playing with no more than one goal in a game since late December.
Prediction: Derby 0-2 Middlesbrough
Result: Derby County 2-1 Middlesbrough
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