Derby County welcome high-flying Brentford to the East Midlands for an early kick-off that could have big implications on the top-six.
There’s no let-up for Rams right now. After a hard-fought point against rivals and fifth-placed Nottingham Forest, they travelled to second-placed West Brom and were outclassed from the first whistle. Now, they return to Pride Park to take on the league’s third-placed side; no one said making the play-offs would be easy.
Derby were top of the form tables prior to those two matches, they now take on the side who took over their crown.
Brentford sit five points off second and will hope to keep their slender chances of automatic promotion alive with a win. Last time out, the Bees saw off London neighbours Charlton Athletic in a 2-1 victory.
Derby County Take on Promotion Contenders Brentford
Brentford Another Tough Task for Derby
Pride Park has been a fortress for Derby this season but that home resilience may be tested when Brentford come to town. Thomas Frank’s side having won their last six matches to make them the league’s in-form side.
Derby, meanwhile, have not lost in DE24 in their last nine league matches; keeping that run alive with a goal in the dying seconds of last weekend’s East Midlands derby.
Frank’s side have been rampant in attack as of late, scoring two or more goals in seven of their last nine matches. The side from West London have lost just once in eight on the road too; recording clean sheets on the previous two occasions.
A win at Pride Park would be the Bees’ first victory in Derby since 1939.
Derby Down but Not Out
The Rams will hope to bounce back from Wednesday’s disappointment. Phillip Cocu’s men have lost consecutive league games just once this season.
The ninth-placed side will also hope that history is on their side too. Brentford have struggled at Pride Park in recent years, conceding three goals in each of their last two visits.
Cocu’s side will also be buoyed by the fact that they rarely disappoint once they take the lead. Derby have been first goalscorers in eight of their last nine home games and haven’t lost when ahead at the interval all season.
However, if Derby are to score, they need firepower on the pitch first.
More Injury Woes for Rams
Phillip Cocu will be relieved to have Tom Lawrence back available after he served his three-match suspension. The winger’s attacking presence was sorely missed on Wednesday evening. However, Duane Holmes was forced off with a hamstring strain in the first half at the Hawthorns and looks doubtful. Louie Sibley will be available following a successful appeal over the midfielder’s red card.
The Dutchman also confirmed that Max Lowe and Florian Jozefzoon had picked up knocks and were unlikely to feature at Pride Park. They join Martyn Waghorn, Jack Marriott and Andre Wisdom on the sidelines.
Brentford midfielder Shandon Baptiste could feature after missing the win over Charlton. Sergi Canos and Nikos Karelis continue to recover from long-term injuries.
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