MX23RW : Tuesday, April 19 12:07:14| >> :600:144012:144012:
[monks data]
Apr 15, 2022 at 8pm UK at Pride Park
Derby
2 - 1
Fulham
Plange (51'), Adarabioyo (73' og.)
Thompson (33'), Lawrence (61'), Allsop (89'), Cashin (90')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Carvalho (20')
Bryan (90+6')

Preview: Derby County vs. Fulham - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Friday's Championship clash between Derby County and Fulham, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Fulham make the trip to Pride Park to face Derby County on Good Friday knowing that they still have work ahead of them if they want to lift the Championship title.

At a time when the Cottagers hold a 10-point lead over second position, Derby are nine points adrift of safety, making this contest a must win for the Rams.


Match preview

Fulham manager Marco Silva celebrates after the match on April 6, 2022© Reuters

Ahead of a home fixture with Coventry City, there was the assumption that Fulham would move to the brink of automatic promotion with a 13th home win of the season.

However, the West Londoners were well beaten by the Sky Blues, who were 2-0 ahead after 24 minutes and eventually prevailed by a 3-1 scoreline.

All things considered, the result will almost certainly not deny Fulham an immediate return to the Premier League, but it has left Marco Silva to reiterate to his players that they cannot avoid to get complacent.

Still sitting 10 points ahead of Bournemouth, however, the Portuguese will stress that it is not the time to panic, even if their final four fixtures are against teams occupying spots in the top six.

On a more positive note, Fulham have won 13 of their 20 away fixtures this campaign, collecting eight points more than the next best effort.

Derby County manager Wayne Rooney after the match on March 1, 2022© Reuters

For the first time in months, Derby feel like progress is being made off the pitch with regards to a new owner, a resolution being found arguably being the most important development of their season.

Nevertheless, relegation would hit a club the size of the Rams hard, and Wayne Rooney has been left to try to pull off the unthinkable of realistically collecting at least four wins from their remaining games.

The England legend will insist that his side should be taking one fixture at a time, but the clear consensus is that only a win will do against the best team in the second tier.

Derby head into this contest having earned 13 points from their last six fixtures at Pride Park, and they will attempt to withstand the division's most productive attack on the back of putting together the fourth-best home defensive record in the league.

Derby County Championship form:
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • L

Fulham Championship form:
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • L



Team News

Fulham's Bobby Decordova-Reid celebrates scoring against Liverpool in the Premier League on December 13, 2020© Reuters

After scoring Fulham's consolation goal against Coventry, Bobby Decordova-Reid could be handed a recall in a creative area.

Jean Michael Seri will hope to feature in central midfield, with Nathaniel Chalobah most likely to drop down to the substitutes' bench.

While further alterations are possible, Silva will be against tinkering with an otherwise successful team.

Rooney will consider making several changes to his Derby XI, including handing a recall to Festy Ebosele down the right flank.

Craig Forsyth and Jason Knight are both options in defence and midfield respectively, but Luke Plange is expected to retain his spot in attack.

Derby County possible starting lineup:
Allsop; Byrne, Cashin, Davies, Forsyth; Bielik, Thompson; Ebosele, Morrison, Lawrence; Plange

Fulham possible starting lineup:
Rodak; Williams, Adarabioyo, Ream, Robinson; Reed, Chalobah; Wilson, Carvalho, Reid; Mitrovic


SM words green background

We say: Derby County 0-2 Fulham

Given Derby's home form, it is difficult to rule out the Rams against any second-tier opponents at Pride Park. However, defeat for Fulham in their last game is the worst thing that could have happened for the East Midlands side, and the inevitable reaction from their opponents should lead to an away win.


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How you voted: Derby vs Fulham

Derby County
18.8%
Draw
12.0%
Fulham
69.2%
117
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rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Fulham41258895375883
2Bournemouth412211865353077
3Huddersfield TownHuddersfield4320131058451373
4Luton TownLuton4320111261471471
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest4120101165372870
6Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd4318121355441166
7Millwall431714124842665
8Blackburn RoversBlackburn431712145345863
9Middlesbrough42189155244863
10Queens Park RangersQPR43189165855363
11Coventry CityCoventry431711155856262
12West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom431612154745260
13Swansea CitySwansea421611155358-559
14Stoke CityStoke431610175448658
15Preston North EndPreston421416124447-358
16Blackpool421511165150156
17Cardiff CityCardiff42147214864-1649
18Bristol City431310205474-2049
19Hull City43138223748-1147
20Birmingham CityBirmingham431112204670-2445
21Reading43138225482-2841
22Peterborough UnitedPeterborough43810253883-4534
23Derby CountyDerby431313174249-731
24Barnsley42612243162-3130

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