Derby vs Fulham predictions, team news & possible XIs
Promotion chasers Fulham visit a rejuvenated Derby County in the Championship on Friday.
Scott Parker’s men currently sit in the play-off spots, but are within just one victory of slotting into the automatic promotion spots that guarantee Premier League football next term.
As for their hosts Derby, a rocky start has since been replaced with a semblance of stability, which has neatly coincided with Wayne Rooney’s arrival in a player-coach role.
Read on for our preview of Derby vs Fulham, including predictions, team news and TV coverage information.
When is Derby vs Fulham and where can I watch live?
Competition: Championship
Venue: Pride Park
Date: Friday, 21 February 2020
Kick-off: 7:45 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event
Last five meetings: Derby vs Fulham
26 Nov 2019: Fulham 3-0 Derby (Championship)
14 May 2018: Fulham 2-0 Derby (Championship play-off)
11 May 2018: Derby 1-0 Fulham (Championship play-off)
03 Mar 2018: Derby 1-2 Fulham (Championship)
18 Nov 2017: Fulham 1-1 Derby (Championship)
Aggregate Score: Derby (LLWLD) 3-8 Fulham (WWLWD)
Ones to watch
Derby: Martyn Waghorn
Derby head into matchday 34 with just one player reaching double figures in terms of goals. Martyn Waghorn reached that 10-goal threshold earlier this month. Ever-present this season, he’s started in 27 of the Rams’ opening 33 league outings and is expected to line up against Fulham this week. He will absolutely fancy his chances of adding to his six home goals this season.
Key stat: Martyn Waghorn has scored in his last three Championship games.
Fulham: Aleksandar Mitrović
Fulham are still within reach of grabbing an automatic promotion place. Scott Parker’s men have been indebted to Serbian marksman Aleksandar Mitrović, who has been relentless in front of goal this season and has scored three of the Cottagers last five on the road.
Key stat: No one has scored more Championship goals than Aleksandar Mitrović (21) this season.
Team news
Derby
Richard Keogh (knee) and Krystian Bielik (Cruciate Ligament rupture) are the only players unavailable to Phillip Cocu this week as he seeks a fifth home win across six league games. Graeme Shinnie, Jayden Bogle and Jack Marriott are all pushing for starts.
Predicted XI: Roos; Wisdom, Davies, Clarke, Forsyth; Holmes, Bird, Rooney, Lawrence; Waghorn, Martin.
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Fulham
Fulham make the trip up north with up to four players missing from Parker’s squad. Alfie Mawson (knee), Terence Kongolo (foot), Maxime Le Marchand (back) and Harrison Reed (calf) are out with respective injuries.
Predicted XI: Rodak; Sessegnon, Hector, Ream, Bryan; McDonald, Cairney, Onomah; Knockaert, Mitrović, Cavaleiro.
Squawka prediction
Despite there being 10 places and 12 points separating the sides, this should be a closely fought contest given Derby’s recent form at home and Fulham stretching their wings. However, the west Londoners will be wanting to put their humbling loss against Barnsley behind them, and we can see the spoils being shared.
