Derby County host Middlesbrough in a stand-out Championship match at Pride Park.
Victory could put Derby into the top-half of the table, whilst Boro could go top with a win depending on results elsewhere.
Team News
Ebou Adams is a doubt for Derby after he missed their Carabao Cup win over Chesterfield with a foot injury.
Corey Blackett-Taylor (quad) could also be available for selection.
Middlesbrough have no fresh injury concerns to report after their midweek cup win at Leeds, although manager – Michael Carrick will again rotate his squad.
Alex Bangura, Tommy Smith (both Achilles) and Marcus Forss (hamstring) are still sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Derby host Middlesbrough at Pride Park on Saturday 17 August at 12:30pm BST, live on Sky Sports + in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Derby have won just two of their last nine meetings against Middlesbrough (W2, D4, L3).
- Middlesbrough are unbeaten in five of their last seven trips to Derby (W2, D3, L2).
- There has never been consecutive goalless draws between Derby and Boro at Pride Park in all competitions.
- Derby have kept clean sheets in five of their last six home matches (W6).
- Emmanuel Latte Lath has scored in Boro’s last four league matches on the road (W1, D3).
Prediction
Despite last weekend’s difficult return to the second-tier with defeat at Blackburn, Derby showed that they certainly have the attacking quality to cause issues – especially at home which seems like a tricky place to go currently.
They however do need to stop conceding first unlike their last two matches otherwise strong teams like Blackburn will punish them.
Boro meanwhile clinically saw off Leeds with a superb counter-attacking display and excellent defensive organisation, which I really do hope that they can build upon here if want to stake an early claim for a promotion challenge.
On that note, I certainly can see Middlesbrough winning this if they can target Derby’s vulnerable defence, although the Rams should have at least one goal in them at home.
Prediction: Derby 1-2 Middlesbrough
Result: Derby 1-0 Middlesbrough