2025-26 Sky Bet Championship: Week Three – Friday

Derby County chase a first league win of the season against Bristol City in a Championship clash at Pride Park. 

A draw will lift Derby out of the relegation zone ahead of the remainder of this weekend’s action, whilst Bristol City can go top with a win.

 

Team News

Derby could have Rhian Brewster (fitness) and Kane Wilson (knee) available following their increased involvement in training.

Corey Blackett-Taylor (hamstring), Owen Beck (calf), Curtis Nelson (ACL), Sondre Langas, Lars Jorgen-Salvesen (both knee) and Patrick Agyemang (hernia) remain ruled out.

Bristol City have no fresh injury concerns to report following their goalless draw at home to Charlton.

Joe Williams (ankle), Luke McNally (ACL), Cam Pring and Max O’Leary (both ankle) remain ruled out.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Derby host Bristol City at Pride Park on Friday 22 August at 8pm BST, live on Sky Sports Football in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Derby have won two of their last eight meetings against Bristol City (W2, L6).
• Bristol City have lost two of their last seven league visits to Derby (W2, D3, L2).
• Derby have kept clean sheets in five of their last 10 home games against Bristol City.
• Two of Derby’s four league goals in their first two matches were scored by Carlton Morris (L2).
• Bristol City are yet to pick up a booking in all competitions this season (W2, D1).

 

Prediction

With eight goals conceded in their first two league games of the season, Derby’s biggest immediate issue is their defence after a ripping from Coventry because as well as they’ve done in the transfer market, they have been incredibly leaky at the back which needs to be tightened up if they want a win here.

Bristol City meanwhile have made a bright start to the season but saw their attack nullified in a pretty wasteful draw against a resilient Charlton team, so I expect them to be motivated to get back on the winning trail in a game where they should be pressuring Derby’s weak defensive line.

As good as it will be to see Derby hopefully make some improvement at the back despite their goalscoring exploits up front, I do feel that Bristol City will have too much quality in them.

Prediction: Derby 1-2 Bristol City

Result: Derby 1-1 Bristol City