Derby County will host Huddersfield Town in the SkyBet Championship at Pride Park Stadium tonight – Tuesday 23rd February 2021; 7pm KO. Here’s all you need to know ahead of Derby County v Huddersfield Town.
Huddersfield Town
The Terriers currently sit 18th in the Championship table. They are seven points ahead of the bottom three and 13 points off the play-off places.
Last time out, Huddersfield Town recorded their first victory of 2021 when they got a big surprise victory over Swansea City at home. They recorded a big 4-1 win over the promotion contenders with goals from Campbell (1), O’Brien (1) and Holmes (2).
Town has the second-worst away record in the division this season, as they have only won 2 out of their 15 games on their travels.
The two sides are right beside each other in the league table, and only two points separate them. Derby County has a game in hand over the Terriers, which makes this fixture even more important.
Team News – Huddersfield Town
The Terriers injury list currently includes:
- Adama Diakhaby (achilles)
- Rarmani Edmonds-Green (hip)
- Carel Eiting (knee)
- Tommy Elphick (knee)
- Danny Grant (hamstring)
- Jonathan Hogg (hip)
- Josh Koroma (hamstring)
- Christopher Schindler (knee)
- Richard Stearman (hamstring)
Derby County
The Rams are currently 19th in the Championship table. They are watching over their shoulders, as they are 5 points ahead of the bottom three.
In their last five games, they have accumulated nine points from a possible 15. They are currently in their richest vein of form of the season having not picked up more points over a five-game period.
Their last game ended in a 2-1 defeat away to Watford.
Derby has the 20th best home record in the league, which is far from desirable. They have won just four games out of their 15 at Pride Park Stadium.
Their manager, Wayne Rooney, is currently in his first role as a head coach. He has been in charge of 18 games so far and has a 44.44% win-rate.
Rooney was appointed permanent manager after a spell as player-manager following the sacking of former head coach Phillip Cocu.
The former Manchester United striker has had a very successful career as a player, including multiple Premier League titles, a Champions League and various other trophies. He was appointed head coach of Derby with the sole ambition to help them avoid relegation to League One.
Ones to Watch
COLIN KAZIM-RICHARDS
The summer signing has been a main focal point in the attacking department for Rooney since he took charge. The 34-year-old is the club’s top goalscorer this season with six goals and he has also provided one assist. Three of his goals have come in Derby’s last six matches, which makes him in excellent goal scoring form.
ANDRE WISDOM
The 27-year-old defender has been a key man at Derby County for many years. The centre-back, who can also play right-back, has been ever important for the Rams since Rooney took charge and he is part of a back four that average three clearances per game. Wisdom scored his first-ever goal for the club in Derby’s recent 2-1 win over Wycombe Wanderers.
JASON KNIGHT
The Irish midfielder has progressed through Derby’s academy to earn a starting place. The 20-year-old has player everywhere across the midfield and attack for Derby this season, but he mainly plays in the middle of the park. Knight currently has an 83% pass accuracy in the current campaign and has scored two goals.
PREDICTION
Derby County leads the head to head results against Huddersfield Town. Since their first meeting in 1910, the teams have met 97 times. The Rams have won 40 times, there have been 26 draws, and the Terriers have won on 30 occasions.
The Terriers have only won once in their last five meetings against the Rams and in their previous game, they lost 1-0 in October at the John Smith Stadium.
Both teams are near the relegation zone and every point will count as they approach the final stretch of the season. They are 19th and 20th respectively and are in danger of slipping closer to the bottom three.
Town recorded their first win of 2021 in their last game, meaning they are riding a wave of momentum, whereas, despite their recent good form, Derby County lost their last match.
The Terriers are more accustomed to being in this position, having survived a relegation battle last season. Derby County has been play-off challenger consistently for almost a decade and they are currently in unfamiliar circumstances.
I feel as though it will be a close encounter with both teams desperate for a win. I think both teams will find the back of the net and go back and forth for the full 90 minutes.
However, I cannot see any other result than a draw.
Therefore, I predict:
Derby County 1-1 Huddersfield Town