Derby County

This game is all about Derby County and their late quest for a play-off spot.

Victory over Sheffield United (12:30 BST) would leave one of Wrexham or Hull City needing to match their result to pip the Rams for that top-six finish.

Were the Red Dragons and the Tigers to lose then a draw for Derby would be enough because of their superior goal difference.

• After their 3-1 win in November, Derby could record their first league double over Sheffield United since 1995-96 under Jim Smith.

• Sheffield United have won five of their past nine league visits to Derby (D1 L3), more than their previous 33 beforehand (W4 D5 L24).

• Derby have only lost their final game of one of their past seven Championship seasons (W3 D3), a 1-0 defeat to Cardiff in 2021-22.

• Sheffield United are unbeaten in their final league game of their past six seasons outside of the Premier League (W4 D2) since a 2-0 defeat by Scunthorpe United in League One in 2015-16.

• Derby have won 20 Championship games in 2025-26, their most in a season since 2018-19 (also 20). They last won more than 20 at this level in 2015-16 (21).

Derby County boss John Eustace told BBC Radio Derby:

"I think that typified our season, that's Derby County.

"We go through difficult moments, we keep fighting and then obviously come through it and it's a great win.

"I always knew the first hour was going to be a really difficult time.

"The last 10 minutes was great, [we] really managed the game well. The lads managed the second half really well once we went 3-2 up.

On Jaydon Banel: "He's a really exciting young talent. He's scored a couple of goals at home and I'm delighted that he can get a really, really important goal again for us away from home."

Amelia Warren
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

A lot has changed in four years.

On 18 April, 2022, Loftus Road, heartbreak. The Rams fell to a 1-0 defeat away at Queens Park Rangers, and were officially relegated to the third tier of English football for the first time in 36 years.

21 points deducted, ownership troubles, the brink of extinction. Some of the darkest days in the history of Derby County Football Club.

I remember being in the away end at Loftus Road that afternoon, and witnessing this quite extraordinary scene where fans weren't angry, or frustrated, or even disappointed at full-time, in fact the emotions were quite the opposite.

Looking around there was just an overriding sense of pride.

Applause, chants, a couple of tears shed, and this incredible feeling that yes, Derby were down, but they certainly would be back.

Now, we find ourselves not only back in The Championship, but just four points off the play-off places with two games left to play.

Granted, after defeat away at Norwich City on Tuesday, a top six finish is now out of Derby's hands and looking unlikely.

However, I think it's important to highlight how far this team has come over the last four years, and in particular, over the last 12 months.

The calibre of players we've managed to bring in, Carlton Morris, Rhian Brewster, Ben Brereton Diaz, and Sammie Szmodics to name a few. Imagine telling someone in that away end in 2022 that we would have those kinds of names representing us just four years later.

Gone are the days of unnecessary overspending and risk taking to fast track our way to the big time.

Now we have stability and steady progress, with this clear long term vision and plan. The model of buying high ceiling players at a low price, and developing them to sell them on for big profits is taking shape.

The likes of Jacob Widell Zetterström and Patrick Agyemang already fit that, and no doubt there will be more new faces that align with those plans to come over the summer.

From a threadbare squad fighting to stay in the league which had little quality, lacked in depth, and didn't fit John Eustace's style. To an identity, a resolute and well organised approach, with leaders in all positions across the pitch, and a mentality that is centred around working hard, suffering, and believing in ambitious goals.

There was always an expectation that this Derby side would make a vast improvement this season, particularly with John Eustace being able to go through his first two transfer windows with the club. However, I think falling just short of the play-offs would still exceed the expectations that many had at the beginning of the campaign. Mine included.

Four years ago, resigned to League One football, at one of our lowest points in history, unsure of when brighter days would return. Now, back to competing at the top end of the Championship once more, with the aim to go a step further again next season.

Whatever the result on Saturday, just remember that same away end in 2022, remember how far away stability felt, and how the idea of promotion to the Premier League felt like a total fantasy that would take lightyears to even get close to achieving.

Look at us now.

A remarkable turnaround for a special football club, and it feels as though the best is still yet to come.

You can often catch Amelia Warren, external as a guest on BBC Radio Derby.

John Eustace says his Derby side will go all-out to gatecrash the Championship play-off places, despite the odds being against them.

The Rams are eighth, four points adrift of both sixth-placed Wrexham and Hull City in seventh, with just two games remaining.

Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at Norwich was a third straight away defeat for County, who have now lost six of their past seven games on their travels.

However, Eustace told BBC Radio Derby they would set out to end that run at QPR on Saturday (15:00 BST) and hope other results help their chances ahead of a final-day visit of Sheffield United to Pride Park.

He said: "The last six or seven games, apart from the Portsmouth (win), it's been against teams who are all going to finish in the top seven or eight.

"There's been some really difficult away games of late, but the way we've gone about our business [has been good] - we haven't had the results we have wanted, we've been in all those games and lost by the odd goal, been in the lead, clawed our way back into some really good positions.

"The most disappointing thing is that against top teams we couldn't go on and win the game - it's something we have to work on and learn from."

The lowest the Rams can finish is ninth, an improvement of 10 places on last season when they beat the drop by a single point.

"We want to progress and build, of course - anything better than last season is progression," Eustace added. "We've done it in the right way, I feel. We have stuck together.

"The top six is always the aim, we're going to keep trying. All we can do is take care of what we can do. We want to go to QPR and put in a really positive performance and win the game and let's see where we end up at the end of the season.

"The team don't need lifting up, we have always bounced back and that won't be any different.

"It's never really been in our hands, we've always had to win more than the others. We have two games to go and stamp our authority on the game and see where it takes us."

Image source, Opta

Derby will seek to keep up their fight for a Championship play-off place when they visit QPR on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The Rams are eighth, two places and four points behind sixth-placed Wrexham after Tuesday night's 2-1 defeat at Norwich.

It was a third straight away defeat for John Eustace's side and a sixth in seven games on the road.

QPR are adrift in mid-table, sat 13th, after a 2-1 home defeat to Swansea the same night.

The Hoops are winless in four and though a top-10 place remains within their grasp with two games remaining, Julien Stephan's men could fall as low as 17th if results elsewhere go against them

• QPR have won both of their past two home league games against Derby County, only once before winning three in a row (from March 1981 to September 1982).

• After their 1-0 win in October, Derby are looking for their first league double over QPR since the 2016-17 season.

• Queens Park Rangers have lost their final home league game in three of the past four seasons (W1), more than their previous 10 beforehand (W7 D1 L2).

• Derby have won their final away league game in both of the past two seasons, only once before doing so more times in a row in the club's history – a run of four from 1891-92 to 1894-95.

• Derby have lost six of their past seven away league games (W1); no side has lost more times on the road in the Championship since the start of this period (21 February).

Image source, Shutterstock

Derby County manager John Eustace admits the goals the Rams conceded in their damaging 2-1 loss to Norwich City at Carrow Road were "really poor".

Derby's sixth loss in seven away league games has effectively ended their Championship play-off hopes and Eustace felt his side didn't execute their game plan well enough.

He told BBC Radio Derby: "I think the two goals we conceded were really poor first half. We tried to press them very high up the pitch. We won the ball back on a number of occasions, but we gave the ball straight back.

"I was happy with the game plan on that, I just wasn't happy with the execution in the first half and second half.

"I thought we created a number of chances where we could have scored. Obviously, they're a good team going forward and when you don't get your press right, they're going to attack you.

"I think Jacob [Zetterstrom] had only one save to make second half, and that was at the end. So I was really pleased with the effort, the attitude was great with the group. And with a little bit more quality on a different night, we possibly might have come away with something."

Image source, Opta

Norwich welcome Derby to Carrow Road on Tuesday night (19:45 BST) for a game with huge play-off implications.

The Canaries remain in contention for a top-six finish, just, after Saturday's thumping 4-2 win at Bristol City.

Philippe Clement's men are ninth, eight points behind Hull City in the final play-off spot, with three games to play.

Derby are far better placed, sat eighth, only three points behind the Tigers, with a superior goal difference, after beating Oxford United 1-0 at Pride Park on Saturday.

• Norwich have lost three of their past four home league games against Derby (D1) since a 3-0 win in January 2017.

• Following their 1-0 win in October, Derby are looking to complete the league double over Norwich for the first time since 2008-09.

• Only Sheffield Wednesday have lost more home league games in the Championship this season than Norwich City (W8 D2 L11); only in 1946-47 in Division 3 South have they lost more at home in a league campaign outside the top-flight (12).

• Derby have lost five of their previous six away league games (W1), as many as in their previous 20 matches in the Championship (W11 D4).

• Derby manager John Eustace has only won one of his seven previous league meetings with Norwich (D2 L4), though that victory did come in the reverse fixture in October.

Derby County head coach John Eustace spoke to BBC Radio Derby following Saturday's 1-0 victory against Oxford United.

"It was a really difficult game today," he said. "We obviously knew that Oxford would sit in and make it very difficult for us, and I thought we controlled the tempo for a majority of the game, but obviously the last 10-15 minutes was a little nerve wracking as they took a lot of risks.

"But overall, we defended well even though we gave them a couple of chances from being sloppy on the ball.

"We scored an unbelievable goal through Jaydon and I'm delighted for him. I felt going himself was possibly not the thing to do, but he's put it in the net and you can't argue with that.

"We have grown together this season and every player wants to be successful and that is the standard we want to build at the football club – win, lose or draw, Derby County are a really tough, competitive team to play against. And every player is ready for the final three games now."

Amelia Warren
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

It's officially crunch time in the Championship, with the race for promotion and the play-offs both well and truly on.

Following defeat at Southampton last Saturday, the Rams now have a very slim chance of finishing in the top six.

If one thing epitomises Derby just falling short this season, it will be the significant injuries to two key players, Patrick Agyemang (pictured) and Bobby Clark, during the run-in.

Agyemang and Clark have racked up over 5,600 combined Championship minutes this campaign, with both of them individually averaging more than 60 minutes per game.

Due to injuries and absences impacting the entire squad throughout the season, the pair have perhaps been heavily relied upon more than John Eustace would have wanted them to be.

With the effects of a gruelling season impacting two of the standout performers, it is crucial Derby focus on building quality strength in depth for next season, particularly if they want to challenge for promotion.

It is no coincidence that Coventry City sit top of the table when they were able to bring on Ephron Mason-Clark, Haji Wright and Jack Rudoni in a triple substitution against the Rams just three games ago.

Similarly, last weekend, we saw high-flying Southampton introduce Shea Charles, Samuel Edozie, Kuryu Matsuki and Cyle Larin from the bench.

Out of the seven players mentioned above, you would expect at least five of them to be good enough to make Derby's current starting line-up, let alone the bench.

Having a deeper squad will give Derby that extra firepower to perhaps make the difference during a tight game.

But more importantly, it will also help to take the strain off those players who become undroppable during an injury crisis, allowing them to stay fit for the entirety of the season, rather than running out of steam towards the business end.

Had Derby had better options off the bench this season, rotation would have been easier for Eustace.

Therefore, demand would have decreased on the players, allowing them more time to rest and recover, and perhaps the injuries Agyemang and Clark sustained at the end of this season would have been avoided.

Then you take a look at some of the games Derby couldn't quite see out this season, such as Watford at home, Southampton away, Coventry away and Middlesbrough away.

You wonder whether, if the Rams had reinforcements to call upon, they may have been able to pick up a few more crucial points in those matches, which could have led them into the final stages of the season in a much stronger position in the table.

Alas, Derby are where they are, in eighth, and five points off sixth-placed Hull City with four matches remaining.

Despite a campaign which has exceeded the expectations of many supporters, Derby must look to progress again next season, and strength in depth will no doubt be a key factor in whether they do that or not.

You can often catch Amelia Warren, external as a guest on BBC Radio Derby.

Midfielder Bobby Clark will miss the rest of the Championship season unless Derby reach the play-offs, says head coach John Eustace.

The 21-year-old is on a season-long loan from Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg but picked up a hamstring injury in last week's 2-1 defeat by Southampton which Eustace says will sideline him for the remaining four games of the regular season.

"It's not as bad as we initially thought, which is fantastic news for him, but unfortunately he's going to be missing for three or four weeks so we probably won't see him again this season unless we reach the play-off semi-finals," the Rams boss told BBC Radio Derby.

"That's something we need to keep driving for as we obviously want to see him put on a Derby shirt before the end of the season."

Clark has made 41 league appearances for Derby since joining in August, scoring three goals, and Eustace is keen to try to make his stay permanent.

"He's disappointed not to finish the season with us. He's enjoyed his time here, loved the way he's developed, so I'm pretty confident if the opportunity was here for us to sign him for next season, he'd want to come," he added.

"He's a clever player, a young lad who has come out of his shell throughout the season."

Derby are currently eighth in the Championship table, five points short of the play-off places and host Oxford United on Saturday (12:30 BST).

Derby's hopes of a Championship play-off push took a knock last time out after they suffered a 2-1 defeat at Southampton.

The Rams sit two places and five points adrift of the top six and a positive result on Saturday could keep their play-off hopes alive.

Oxford ended a four-game winless run when they picked up a vital three points against Watford last Saturday.

The U's remain in the bottom three despite that win and are two points off Championship safety.

• Derby have failed to score in their past two league games against Oxford, only once going three without a goal against them (between 1987 and 1991).

• In what is the ninth different league campaign in which the two sides have met, Oxford are looking to complete the double over Derby for the first time.

• Derby have won their past five home league matches, last having a longer run between March and September 2024 (9).

• Oxford have won four of their past eight league games (D3 L1), more wins than they managed in their previous 22 Championship matches combined (3).

• Carlton Morris has scored 12 league goals for Derby this season - the last player to net more in a single Championship campaign for the club was Harry Wilson in 2018-19 (16 – incl. play-offs).

Image source, Getty Images

With Derby County two places and five points outside the Championship play-off places with four games remaining, BBC Sport asked could the Rams still gatecrash the top six?

The responses flooded in and below is a selection of what fans had to say.

William: Yes, despite the loss of key players we've got Carlton Morris back in the fold and other players like Diaz and M Clarke stepping up. We have just gone toe-to- toe with the two best sides in the league, no reason to think we can't get 10 points out of these last four games. Is it unlikely? Yes, but it's possible - especially if Hull continue to slip which I believe they will.

Matt: Whether we do or not isn't a concern to me. I'm looking forward to next year whatever happens. If we improve half as much as we did from last season to this one, we should be serious contenders for a top-two spot. From gameweek 10 up to now we have the third most points. Three or four additions in the summer and taking some of the lessons from this season I'm hoping we'll be right up there.

Leon: We could but it would be hugely dependent on other teams' results. I think we should be extremely happy with the progress we have made this season and get the club prepared for an assault on the automatic positions next season.

Lewis: I think every Derby fan would agree that after the Southampton defeat, the play-off dream is well and truly over. I see no way that Hull will slip up with their remaining games.

Andy: Tough ask to catch Hull, particularly with injuries to key players, but not insurmountable. Let's do this the Derby way.

Gary: As a Derby fan of over 60 years I have seen both highs and lows. The lowest point being relegation from the Premier League with 11 points. I hope that they don't make it this year as, in my opinion, they have over-achieved. Give it another season in the Championship and be better prepared.

Phil: I think most Derby fans have mixed feelings about the play-offs - this season at least. Because if we're in it, there's a chance we could win it - and we're nowhere near ready enough for the Premier League. We've come on in leaps and bounds since administration, but don't want a repeat of THAT season. Most Rams would be happy with seventh, I feel.

Baden: We're still in the pack. We've been dealing with injuries all season and John Eustace has done a great job keeping us in the hunt. We need four wins. A win on Saturday keeps the pressure on the teams around us.

Ian: At the start of the season most fans wanted a season where we weren't in another relegation battle with four games left. So being this close to the play-offs is both a relief and a bonus. To be honest we're not ready for a season in the Premier League. Fingers crossed this time next year, hopefully having signed a few more and kept Ozoh and Clark we'll be well and truly in the mix.

Colin: 100% we should still try to achieve getting in the play-offs. The season is still alive. It won't be easy with Hull City's five-point advantage and Wrexham in front of us. I say keep going lads - you never know what can happen.

Tone: Anything can happen in football, but if Derby end up in the play-offs at this point it will not be purely on merit, and will need Hull and Wrexham to throw away their seasons. Without the injuries this season a play-off place would have been very achievable, but while the attacking has been good, our defence has been sloppy with us conceding some shocking goals as a result. At this point I think the focus needs to be on nursing our players to the end of the season, and give some game time to junior players who are on the verge of first team.

Matthew: Good season. The club is now well-run with good decisions being made behind the scenes and with an excellent manager. Could do with additional investment to help David Clowes. Top six a stretch too far this season.

Image source, Getty Images

"Anything can happen in football."

Derby County boss John Eustace was quick with those words when he was asked if the Rams were still capable of reaching the Championship play-offs after Saturday's defeat by Southampton.

The gap to the top six is five points with four games to play.

Eustace seems to have every reasons to feel that way - mathematically, it's achievable and all season his team have outperformed expectations.

But they are also a side that are dealing with a number of injuries at the business end of the season.

So, we want to hear from Rams fans on the subject.

Can you see Derby reaching the play-offs this season, or was the defeat by Saints too much of a blow?

Click here to get in touch and tell us what you think

Derby County boss John Eustace spoke to BBC Radio Derby after Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Southampton.

"I thought first half we were excellent and in the second half we just ran out of legs. The second goal we conceded was so soft and it was really disappointing the manner we conceded from the free-kick," he said.

"Southampton are obviously a top team with top players but with the way the boys performed today, I was very proud of the efforts. We just couldn't see it over the line.

"We need to keep doing what we have been doing in the final four games. I'm disappointed to lose the game today and we will talk about all the other stuff [injuries to Clark and Murkin] another day.

When asked if he feels it is possible for Derby to still reach the play-offs, he added: "Of course it is. Anything can happen in football. We will just keep going and do what we do.

"We lost the game to a soft goal, came to a top team with a top team and we have to really believe that we can see it through now."

Image source, Getty Images

The EFL has announced the fixtures for the 2026-27 season will be published at midday on Thursday, 25 June.

The first-round draws for the Carabao Cup and the Vertu Trophy will be made on the same day.

The new season will kick off on the weekend of August 7-9 with the first round of the Carabao Cup, and the opening fixtures in the Championship, League One and League Two will follow a week later on 14-16 August.

The first round of the Vertu Trophy will be played in the week commencing 21 September.

Image source, EFL

Millwall striker Josh Coburn has been named the Championship's player of the month for March.

The 23-year-old scored three goals last month as the Lions won two, drew one and lost one of their four matches.

Coburn scored the winning goal against Derby and an important equaliser at promotion rivals Ipswich with his tally for the season currently standing at nine.

It is the second successive month a Millwall player has won the award with winger Femi Azeez taking the February prize.

West Brom defender George Campbell, Southampton goalkeeper Daniel Peretz and Derby defender Matt Clarke were also nominated.

Millwall visit West Brom on Friday night (20:00 BST).

Image source, Getty Images

Derby County forward Patrick Agyemang will be sidelined for "about nine months" with his Achilles injury, boss John Eustace has confirmed.

The US international picked up the serious injury following an awkward landing during Derby's victory against Stoke City on Monday but the club were hesitant to offer a timeline on his recovery.

The injury also ends the American's dreams of starring for his country at a home World Cup, which is set to take place in the US, Canada and Mexico this summer.

"He's obviously devastated to be missing the World Cup," Eustace told BBC Radio Derby.

"Patrick has been a real focal point for us. His development this year has been outstanding and it's going to be a huge blow to us first and foremost for him not to finish the season.

"To miss the World Cup, he's worked his socks off to get into that squad and I think he was very close."

Agyemang's season has ended at a pivotal time for the Rams, who are still in the running for a play-off position.

But while the forward may be a huge loss, Derby still have players in top form - including on-loan midfielder Bobby Clark, who the side are keen to sign permanently from Austrian Bundesliga club Red Bull Salzburg this summer.

"We certainly hope so, why not?" Eustace added. "We want to grow the football club and we want keep as many of our top players as we can and Bobby is certainly one of them.

"Everyone connected with Derby can see how well he's done and how he's part of the family and we'd love to continue his development."

Derby next face promotion rivals Southampton, who are just three points above them in sixth place, away at St Mary's on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Forward Sammie Szmodics has returned to training after being knocked unconscious during international duty with the Republic of Ireland and has not yet been ruled out of Saturday's fixture.

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

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