MX23RW : Thursday, November 7 16:11:00| >> :120:8146:8146:
[monks data]
Derby logo
Championship | Gameweek 18
Dec 12, 2020 at 3pm UK
Pride Park Stadium
Stoke logo

Derby
0 - 0
Stoke


Buchanan (48'), Knight (76'), Bielik (90+2')
FT

Cousins (71')

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

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Derby County and Stoke City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Derby County take on Stoke City on Saturday afternoon as Wayne Rooney looks to extend his unbeaten run in sole interim charge to five matches.

Meanwhile, the Potters now sit in eighth position in the Championship standings after their defeat to Cardiff City in midweek.


Match preview

Stoke City manager Michael O'Neill pictured in October 2020© Reuters

When Rooney was handed the reins at Derby on a temporary basis, it is fair to say that that supporters expected an improvement in goals over clean sheets.

While the England legend will be disappointed with a return of just three strikes in 360 minutes, back-to-back shutouts at Millwall and Brentford have highlighted the extra belief since the veteran forward's appointment.

The latter result, against opponents who will expect to earn promotion at the end of the season, could prove to be a turning point for a team who are beginning to end their habit of conceding during the closing stages of games.

Derby will remain as underdogs in home fixtures with Stoke and Swansea City, but Rooney will feel that his team are playing with enough confidence to end the club's long wait for a win at Pride Park.

From Stoke's perspective, they will view this game as the perfect opportunity to bounce back from the disappointment of letting slip a lead against Cardiff on Tuesday night.

Sam Vokes missed a penalty to hand the Potters a 2-0 advantage, and it allowed their opponents to come from behind to secure maximum points at the bet365 stadium.

Stoke remain just six points adrift of Championship leaders Norwich City, something which will not be lost on Michael O'Neill as he assesses his team's position heading into the Christmas period.

However, it has reached a point where small margins separate the top two and mid-table, and Stoke risk being pulled in the wrong direction unless they can avoid a second successive setback against the Rams.

Although Derby have been less than prolific in front of goal during their last four fixtures, Stoke have also scored just three times over the same period.

Derby County Championship form: LLDDWD

Stoke City Championship form: WLDWWL


Team News

Derby County's Wayne Rooney pictured in October 2020© Reuters

Derby will almost certainly be without Curtis Davies, who was stretchered off with an ankle injury in midweek.

Kornell McDonald could be brought in as his replacement, the youngster featuring at right-back with Andre Wisdom moving into the middle of the defence.

Tom Lawrence may also be preferred to Duane Holmes after being introduced as a half-time replacement against Brentford.

Unless John Obi Mikel or Jordan Thompson return to the squad after injury, Tashan Oakley-Boothe could be given an opportunity in midfield.

Vokes is likely to get the nod over Jacob Brown in attack, but Ryan Shawcross is expected to remain on the substitutes' bench.

Derby County possible starting lineup:
Marshall; McDonald, Wisdom, Clarke, Forsyth; Bielik, Shinnie; Lawrence, Knight, Jozwiak; Kazim-Richards

Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Bursik; Smith, Collins, Chester, Fox; Cousins, Oakley-Boothe; Campbell, Powell, McClean; Vokes


SM words green background

We say: Derby County 1-2 Stoke City

Having earned four points from two away games, Rooney may decide to show more ambition in the final third in this game. However, Stoke have one of the best away records in the division, and we expect the Potters to edge a competitive tussle at Pride Park.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data



ID:425843:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6527:

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Stoke City win with a probability of 38.14%. A win for Derby County had a probability of 32.18% and a draw had a probability of 29.7%.

The most likely scoreline for a Stoke City win was 0-1 with a probability of 13.39%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-2 (7.53%) and 0-2 (7.5%). The likeliest Derby County win was 1-0 (11.99%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (13.44%). The actual scoreline of 0-0 was predicted with an 11.9% likelihood.


Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Derby vs Stoke

Derby County
30.2%
Draw
22.6%
Stoke City
47.2%
53
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Boro boss Tony Pulis cuts a frustrated figure on May 5, 2019
Read Next:
Tony Pulis hails "first-class" Sheffield Wednesday attitude in Stoke draw
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland149322391430
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd149321871128
3Leeds UnitedLeeds147522291326
4Burnley136521761123
5Millwall146441712522
6Watford147162222022
7West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom13562148621
8Middlesbrough146351816221
9Swansea CitySwansea14545119219
10Blackburn RoversBlackburn145451616019
11Bristol City144731819-119
12Norwich CityNorwich144642320318
13Derby CountyDerby145361818018
14Stoke CityStoke145361718-118
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds145361724-718
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd144551717017
17Coventry CityCoventry144371819-115
18Hull City143651518-315
19Luton TownLuton144371621-515
20Preston North EndPreston143651420-615
21Cardiff CityCardiff144371320-715
22Plymouth ArgylePlymouth144371425-1115
23Queens Park RangersQPR141761223-1110
24Portsmouth141671327-149


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!