After a cruel defeat on the road last time out, Derby County will be searching for some festive cheer as they host West Bromwich Albion at Pride Park in the Championship on Boxing Day.
The Rams were moments away from earning a positive result at Luton Town last Friday night, whereas the Baggies secured a routine home victory over Bristol City two days later.
Match preview
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Following back-to-back clean sheets against promotion-chasing Burnley and Portsmouth over the past fortnight, Derby County were on course for their third straight shutout last Friday before Luton goals from Tom Holmes and Carlton Morris snatched victory for the hosts at Kenilworth Road after Kayden Jackson's opener.
The Rams are in the midst of a run of one victory across their last eight Championship battles ahead of tricky home tests versus West Brom and Leeds United before the conclusion of the calendar year, with pre-season expectations of a survival scrap threatening to become a stark reality in the East Midlands.
Ahead of the visit of the Baggies on Boxing Day, Derby are currently occupying 16th spot in the second-tier table after 22 matches, six points ahead of Cardiff City, Oxford United and Plymouth Argyle, with the aforementioned trio spending Christmas Day in the relegation zone.
Paul Warne's troops would be glancing ambitiously towards the playoff spots if the Championship rankings were determined purely on home form, with Thursday's hosts collecting a respectable 17 points from 10 contests at Pride Park so far in 2024-25, including three points last time out.
Fellow newly-promoted outfit Portsmouth endured a horrifying Friday 13th at the home of Derby, who smashed their lowly visitors 4-0 courtesy of efforts from Kane Wilson, Eiran Cashin and midfielder Ebou Adams - alongside a disheartening own goal from Pompey's Marlon Pack.
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After a series of false alarms and fearmongering rumours, some West Brom supporters are calling for the Christmas festivities to be cancelled in their part of the West Midlands, with head coach Carlos Corberan nearing an exit from The Hawthorns for Spanish giants Valencia.
The 41-year-old has provided the energy and enthusiasm to keep the Baggies highly competitive at the top end of the division since his arrival in October 2022, before which the ill-fated spells of Valerien Ismael and Steve Bruce offered sobering insights down a road of Championship mediocrity.
If Corberan joins his boyhood club over the next few days, he would have left following a typical home success on Sunday afternoon, when West Brom kept their second-tier visitors at bay to win at a relative canter, with Bristol City failing to pose a serious threat in the Black Country.
Following his unexpected failure to net across his previous 17 Championship appearances so far this term, summer signing Mickey Johnston hit a sensational first-half double to down the Robins on the weekend, with the Republic of Ireland international bringing out his trademark curling finish.
Losing just one of their last 14 second-tier contests, West Brom are a tough nut to crack for any opponent at this level, although the Baggies have a poor recent record at Pride Park, where they will be looking to end a two-game losing streak across the Championship and EFL Cup.
Team News
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Derby remain without the services of Irish defender Cashin, who is battling to return at some point in the New Year from a hamstring injury.
The Rams moved to a back-three system for the trip to Luton, although it remains to be seen whether Sonny Bradley keeps his spot in the side on Boxing Day.
The hosts' options are reduced further by the absences of David Ozoh and Ryan Nyambe, who are sidelined due to hamstring and knee issues respectively.
West Brom are fighting on without the talents of Daryl Dike, with the American marksman edging towards his long-awaited comeback from a serious Achilles injury.
Last featuring in late October versus Cardiff City, Semi Ajayi is not expected to play a part over the festive period because of a leg problem.
Derby County possible starting lineup:
Zetterstrom; Wilson, Phillips, Nelson, Bradley, Elder; Goudmijn, Osborn, Adams; Jackson, Yates
West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:
Palmer; Furlong, Holgate, Bartley, Heggem; Mowatt, Molumby; Fellows, Swift, Johnston; Maja
We say: Derby County 2-1 West Bromwich Albion
After a heartbreaking defeat at Luton last week, Derby will be raring to produce a good display and three points in front of their Pride Park faithful.
Likely under the leadership of an interim manager, the impending departure of Corberan is poised to send shockwaves around the Black Country, with an unsettled West Brom side set to struggle on Boxing Day.
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Carter White
