Resilient Rams looking to upset the odds once again as they take on promotion-hunting West Bromwich Albion

Two sides with completely contrasting ambitions meet on Monday as Wayne Rooney’s Derby County welcome promotion-chasing West Bromwich Albion to Pride Park.

With Rams supporters in need of festive cheer following news that American businessman, Chris Kirchner, withdrew his offer to save the debt-ridden club, a win against Valérien Ismaël’s Baggies would at least provide fans with a somewhat unexpected Christmas treat, even if their team is still destined for the drop.

West Brom, on the other hand, require three points for different reasons. Having enjoyed a mini-resurgence in recent weeks, Ismaël’s side are now within touching distance of the top two and will move into second if results work in their favour.

Team News

Derby saw their trip to Cardiff City postponed last week after a number of COVID-19 cases were reported amongst each camp.

To the relief of Rooney, several members of his squad have fully recovered and are available to face the Baggies. However, the former England captain admitted that he will be without two individuals who remain sidelined with the virus.

Lee Buchanan also remains sidelined with a knee injury whilst Sam Baldock and Jack Stretton miss out despite making positive progress following their respective injuries. Long-term absentee Krystian Bielik is still recovering from his ACL injury.

Meanwhile, the Baggies came through Friday’s 0-0 draw against Barnsley unscathed meaning the five players who missed the clash at Oakwell remain the only absentees.

Defenders Kean Bryan and Dara O’Shea continue to recover from serious injuries, Scotland internationals Robert Snodgrass and Matt Phillips also miss out as does striker Kenneth Zohore.

Words from the managers

Derby County manager Wayne Rooney revealed that COVID-19 has once again wreaked havoc to his preparations for Monday’s game.

“Since last Saturday we have done two sessions, that’s all we have really been allowed to do.”

“We have had to stay away from the training ground, the lads have had programmes to do at home while we have had to stay away from the training ground and not be around each other. The last two days we have had two very good sessions for the West Brom game.”

West Brom manager Valérien Ismaël maintained that he has a clear idea as to where his team must improve to form a sequence of positive results.

“We have to improve our conversion rate and stay strong defensively. We know where we are struggling at the moment but we are working on it every day to try and improve”

“We need to get the confidence in front of goal. We are stable, but we have to now try and win with consistency.”

Head-to-head

The Rams have fared well in recent meetings between the two sides losing just one of the last six matches including a 0-0 draw in this season’s reverse fixture.

Both sets of fans would admit the most memorable game played between the two teams in recent times would be the 2007 Championship play-off final with Stephen Pearson’s 61st-minute strike earning Derby promotion to the Premier League.

West Brom though are strong favourites and will be expected to maintain pressure on the top two with a win in the East Midlands.

Yet, in spite of their off-field problems, Derby have shown thus far that they are able to compete with the Championship’s “big clubs” having beaten Bournemouth and held Fulham to a stalemate at Craven Cottage.

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