Derby County welcome Hull City to Pride Park in a crucial clash in the battle for Championship survival.
Victory would see Derby stay second-bottom but move to within four points of safety, whereas Hull can climb to 16th with a win if Swansea lose elsewhere.
Team News
Richard Stearman is suspended for Derby after being red carded in their 2-0 loss at Huddersfield last week with this clash serving as the first of his three-match ban.
Ravel Morrison has safely returned from international duty for Jamaica but is too suspended because he must complete the last of a three match suspension.
Max Bird (groin) could return but Kamil Jozwiak (ankle) and Colin Kazim-Richards (calf) remain ruled out.
Hull have no fresh injury concerns to report as Callum Elder (groin), Andy Cannon, Mallik Wilks, Lewis Coyle (all ankle) and Josh Emmanuel (leg) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Derby have lost just one of their last five meetings against Hull (W4, L1).
- Hull have won just one of their five regular season visits to Derby (W1, L4).
- Derby have scored 12 goals in their last four regular-season home games against Hull without conceding.
- Seven of Tom Lawrence’s eight goals for Derby this season have been scored at Pride Park.
- Richard Smallwood has been yellow carded in two of Hull’s last three away matches.
Prediction
Derby will be disappointed to have recently lost their way following a recent resurge in form, with a reaction definitely needed after lacklustre attacking effort at Huddersfield last week in which they mustered up just one shot which wasn’t even on target.
Hull meanwhile simply weren’t clinical enough against Preston on Saturday in a scrappy defeat, although their recent improved form should provide the players with belief that they can bounce back quickly if get on the front foot clinically here.
Wayne Rooney’s Rams though do have good form in this fixture so this won’t be an easy game but if the hosts deliver another toothless attacking effort, I can see Hull punishing them here although I have a feeling that we might see a surprise draw.
Prediction: Derby 1-1 Hull
Result: Derby 3-1 Hull
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