Derby County vs Stoke City Preview

The Championship relegation battle comes to head on Saturday, as 19th placed Derby County host 18th placed Stoke City.

Both sides go into this one knowing that defeat could see them relegated on the final day, while a win for either would guarantee them another season in England’s second tier. While Stoke have the upper hand, having won the reverse fixture in November, Derby have far more impressive recent form, and will have their tails up going into this one.

With a titanic scrap for survival taking place on a drama-laden, here is everything you need to know about both sides ahead of kick-off.

Where to Watch

This game will be broadcasted on Sky Sports Football, with kick-off scheduled for 12:30 on Saturday.

Key Statistics

• Despite sitting above the relegation zone, no side has lost more games than Derby County’s 22, with only Luton Town sitting on the same number.
• The Rams are missing seven players through injury, chief amongst them being Jacob Widdell Zetterstrom who averaged 7.6 across his last nine games before fracturing his eye-socket in a 2-2 draw with Portsmouth in mid-April.
• Stoke have conceded eight goals in their last two games, failing to score in the process.
• Despite this, they have only conceded four goals more than sixth placed Coventry, who have their play-off destiny in their own hands when they play Middlesbrough.

Derby County Preview

Derby County Predicted Lineup (3-5-2) Josh Vickers (GK); Matthew Clarke, Nathaniel Phillips, Sondre Klingen Langas; Craig Forsyth, Ebou Adams, Harrison Armstrong, Liam Thompson, Kane Wilson; Marcus Harness, Jerry Yates.

With the home advantage on Saturday, Derby have the upper hand in the survival shootout with Stoke, with the loser facing relegation should Preston, Luton and Hull win or get a point. In a way, Derby are fortunate to have so many teams in a similar position as them.

But on the flip side, every minute they don’t lead, there will be murmurings and mutterings around the ground as news from the other fixtures filters into Pride Park. That anxiety and impatience has the potential to rub off on the players, and could see them try and force things too much.

John Eustance has to make sure his players remain level-headed and composed, because if they start to lose their heads after hearing of news and scores elsewhere, they will start focusing on those games more than their own. However, their form looks good; they come into this won having won two on the bounce.

Stoke City Preview

Stoke City Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Viktor Johansson (GK); Lynden Gooch, Ben Wilmot, Ashley Phillips, Junior Tchamadeu; Wouter Burger, Ben Pearson; Joon-Ho Bae, Lewis Baker, Million Manhoef; Sam Gallagher.

Despite sitting two points above the relegation zone, Stoke City and Mark Robins know that a point at Pride Park will not be enough to guarantee safety, as their goal difference is worse than any of the other teams bar Luton.

Only a win will be enough to see the Potter’s survive for another season, but even if they do so, they are on a continual downward trajectory. They have not finished above 14th since relegation from the Premier League in 2018, and if they fail to win, it will be their lowest finishing position since then.

Their failure to improve season on season has led to dissatisfaction amongst supporters, and every year, the club reports heavy losses courtesy of the lack of funding they have received since demotion. Should they survive the current season, the Potters need to go all out in the summer in a bid to get them back into relegation contention.

Derby County vs Stoke City Head to Head

Recent Meetings:

• 02/11/2024: Stoke 2-1 Derby.
• 30/12/2021: Stoke 1-2 Derby.
• 18/09/2021: Derby 2-1 Stoke.
• 20/03/2021: Stoke 1-0 Derby.
• 12/12/2020: Derby 0-0 Stoke.

Derby County vs Stoke City Betting Tip

Derby’s recent flurry of points, which includes 20 from the last available 30, has been crucial in lifting them out of the relegation zone and leaving their destiny in their own hands. In that run they beat West Brom, Coventry and Blackburn, and managed a draw with Burnley. If they can maintain that level for just one more game, they will be playing Championship football in 2025/26.

Derby County vs Stoke City Prediction

Derby County 2-0 Stoke City

Stoke simply haven’t shown me enough evidence that they have the ability, form or confidence to beat Derby here, and while this doesn’t seal their relegation, it makes the fans’ and players’ lives much more stressful for 90 minutes or so.