Derby County will face Sheffield Wednesday at Pride Park Stadium on Saturday afternoon in their final fixture of the 2020/21 Sky Bet Championship season.
dcfc.co.uk has gathered all the information you will need to know ahead of the game (12:30pm kick-off), with the match carrying plenty of importance for both sides as they seek to avoid finishing the season in the bottom three.
VIRTUAL MATCH SPONSOR…
Derby County's Virtual Match Sponsor for the Championship clash is The Input Group.
Want to know more about The Input Group? Head over to their website at: inputgroup.co.uk
RAMSTV STREAMING INFORMATION…
RamsTV will be providing limited coverage of Saturday's home clash due to Sky Sports selecting the game to be shown live.
The game will be available to Season Ticket Holders to watch LIVE in the United Kingdom, and selected international areas on a pay-per-view basis with more details available here, on RamsTV via dcfc.co.uk or through the Official Derby County App from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Pay-per-view passes are available at the following prices, which are by the EFL:
£5 - International countries
Remember to login to your account 30 minutes before kick-off and catch RamsTV's Pre-Match Show. If you have forgotten your password, please click here.
How To Watch As A Season Ticket Holder
All Season Ticket Holders were e-mailed a code to the e-mail address we have on record watch live home games on RamsTV ahead of the 2020/21 season. Any codes used from the 2019/20 campaign will NOT work for the 2020/21 season.
If you have redeemed your code, you do not need to do anything else except login in good time before kick-off.
If you have not redeemed your code but already have a website account and viewed streams via RamsTV last season, all you need to do is log-in and redeem your code. The code will appear on the landing page when you login to your account.
If you do not have a website account, register here and make sure your name, address and FanID match what we have on record for you.
If you never received a code and don’t have a website account: Please email website@dcfc.co.uk with your 8-digit Fan ID, Name, Address, Postcode and the valid email address registered with dcfc.co.uk to hand.
How To Buy Pay Per View Access (Dark Markets Only)
If you watched live match coverage on RamsTV previously and wish to buy pay-per-view fixture, login to your account on dcfc.co.uk to purchase.
If you don’t have a website account, click here. Once an account is created, you will be able to purchase pay-per-view access on dcfc.co.uk.
I Am An Overseas Subscriber - Can I Watch The Game?
Overseas RamsTV subscribers that have purchased a monthly subscription package for the 2020/21, under EFL rules, are unable to watch this match as it has been selected for broadcast domestically and internationally.
Supporters based in Dark Market areas can watch the match as normal.
Is There Anything I Need To Ensure I Do Ahead Of Watching The Game?
Content will be available from earlier in the day before the RamsTV Matchday Live show begins at 12pm, to provide fans with comprehensive and unrivalled coverage.
In addition, please ensure the following:
* You know your email address & password registered with dcfc.co.uk
* Your details are always up to date – this is how we will contact you for future streaming information.
* You are logged into your account well in advance of kick-off, last minute queries may result in missing the start of the match
What Can I Expect From The RamsTV Matchday Live Show?
The RamsTV Matchday Live show, amongst other things, includes the following:
* Full match streamed LIVE and in HD
* A multi-camera mix covering all the action
* Instant and multi-angle replays
* Full match commentary with expert analysis
* Match graphics
* A full 30-minute pre-match show with interviews, exclusive features, and lively studio discussion
* Expert half-time and post-match analysis
I Am A Monthly Subscriber For Audio Commentary – Can I Listen To The Game?
Worldwide monthly subscribers for access to live audio commentary, provided by BBC Radio Derby, will be able to listen to the game as normal.
Audio commentary subscriptions can be purchased by clicking here.
Got A Question?
Head over to dcfc.co.uk's FAQs relating to RamsTV live streams, by clicking here.
For any additional queries relating to login and account creation on dcfc.co.uk, please email website@dcfc.co.uk.
Listen Live
Audio commentary is available worldwide, as normal, as part of the £5 per month subscription package which can be purchased here.
Highlights
Match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship fixture will be available on RamsTV from 1am on Sunday.
Full Match Replay
RamsTV subscribers based outside the UK and Republic of Ireland will be able to watch the entire game from 1am on Sunday as part of their £12.50 per month subscription which can be purchased here.
Warm-Up + Added Time
RamsTV’s regular Facebook Live shows, presented by Owen Bradley, will be shown as normal ahead of the game.
The Warm-Up will begin on Derby County’s Facebook page on Saturday afternoon to preview the game, while Added Time will go live on Facebook shortly after the final whistle to review the match and provide post-game analysis.
TEAM NEWS…
Derby boss Wayne Rooney has no new injury or suspension issues ahead of the final match of the season, but several players remain out of action.
Defender
Andre Wisdom will once again not be available for selection after picking up a
groin injury in the 3-0 loss at Preston North End last month.
Recent hamstring issues, sustained in training last month, will again keep out on-loan duo Teden Mengi and Beni Baningime.
Mengi has returned to his parent club Manchester United for treatment while Everton loanee Baningime has an outside chance of making the matchday squad against the Owls.
Another on-loan player, striker Lee Gregory, will again miss out with hamstring issue which was sustained in the 2-0 home win over Luton Town in April.
Young striker Jack Stretton picked up an calf problem after coming off the bench in the recent away fixture at Reading and is again sidelined.
Polish international midfielder
Krystian Bielik is not available after sustaining
anterior cruciate ligament damage to his right knee in the 1-0
home win over Bristol City at the end of January.
Centre-back Curtis Davies remains out with a long-term achilles injury sustained in December, despite making good progress in his rehabilitation work.
Winger
Jordon Ibe has recently been building up his sharpness to
the point where he can join in with first-team training once again.
He had been
training with the Under-23 squad with a view to featuring in
one of their upcoming matches, but his progress has been hampered by a hamstring problem and he will not feature this weekend.
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS…
Speaking to RamsTV ahead of the game, Manager Wayne Rooney said: “We are in a position where we know that three points keeps us safe; simple as that.
“It is a cup final; you win it, you get rewarded. You lose and it is not a nice place to be. The previous 45 games have gone now; we are not looking back at any of those games at all. We have to treat it like a cup final and if we win, we will go home happy.
“I am looking forward to it. It is a challenge, a high-pressured game and one we have to enjoy. We have to enjoy the challenge.
“The lads have been in a really good place this week. The week has been positive and the attitude they have shown in training has been good.
“Of course, they are a bit low on confidence after the last few games but the energy they were showing this morning was fantastic and the way they trained.
“Everything is showing, and from my point of view, whatever happens on Saturday, these players have been a real credit to themselves and the club in the way they have conducted themselves. On the other hand, they have to go and perform and get the three points - I am confident we will.”
Rooney added: “The players have had to face a lot this season, but I think the big thing is, they have not complained, they haven’t made a fuss and they give everything and have tried everything on the training pitch and pitch.
“I can’t ask for more than that. What I do know is that hard work pays off, you get results for it and you get rewarded for that.”
More pre-match comments from Rooney and midfielder Graeme Shinnie can be found across dcfc.co.uk and also on RamsTV.
WHO IS THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…
Michael Dean will be in charge of Saturday's important fixture at Pride Park Stadium.
Premier League official Dean has overseen 26 games so far this season and produced a total of 93 yellow cards and nine red cards.
He will be assisted by Ian Hussin and Daniel Robathan on the lines, whilst Jeremy Simpson has been appointed as the fourth official.
EFL SUBSTITUTES RULE…
Following consultation with clubs, the EFL Board has agreed to increase the permitted number of substitutes to five in all Sky Bet EFL fixtures for the remainder of the 2020/21 season.
Regulation 33.4 has been amended to permit:
* Championship Clubs to name up to nine substitutes in their matchday squad, with five permitted to take to the pitch in any fixture.
* League One and League Two Clubs can name up to seven substitutes in their match day squad, again with five permitted to take to the pitch.
GOAL LINE TECHNOLOGY…
Goal line technology is, once again, being used at all Sky Bet Championship matches during the 2020/21 season.
The system was introduced for the start of the 2017/18 campaign and is now entering its fourth full season in the division.
ONLINE PIRACY…
The EFL, alongside all 72 of its member clubs, has launched a campaign aimed at discouraging the illegal streaming of fixtures, warning that doing so will take vital revenue away from clubs
The outbreak of COVID-19 and subsequent behind-closed-doors matches mean that income generated by streaming matches is more important than ever and remains one of the only income streams available at this challenging time.
Illegal streaming, therefore, is having a greater impact on clubs whilst supporters are unable to attend matches. The EFL and its clubs could potentially lose around a third of income from illegal streaming this season, a figure which is potentially much higher when factoring in every illegal stream.
Statistics show that over half of sports fans consume sports content from pirate services at least once a month. Over 7,000 illegal EFL streams have been detected so far this season, with an average of 170 people viewing each stream, totalling almost 1.2million people. Supporters in the UK accessing streams via a VPN are also accessing the stream illegally.
Failure to comply with the terms set out when subscribing to live streams for the EFL is a serious breach and allows the ability to terminate the subscription. The EFL, and clubs streaming through their own services, have very similar rights in their terms and conditions.
The EFL and its clubs take piracy incredibly seriously, working with a specialist security agency to proactively seek out illegal streams on all formats and taking action against businesses and individuals.
Supporters are therefore encouraged to report any illegal streams, or pubs that may be showing EFL content unlawfully, by emailing piracy@efl.com. All emails will be treated confidentially.
STAY AT HOME…
Derby County is continuing to urge supporters to stay away from stadiums when matches are played, with the UK Government advice remaining the same relating to playing behind-closed-doors at this time.
Matches are still being played behind-closed-doors with the safety of supporters, club personnel and the frontline services remaining the principle priority at this time.
Consequently, supporters will not be permitted entry to any area of the stadium and extra security measures around the immediate area including car parks will be in place when staging matches.
Supporters are also urged to maintain social distancing guidelines and avoid congregating outside stadiums or gathering to watch matches, as part of a campaign message: ‘When we play, please stay away’.
With aspirations of a full return of fans from the start of next season, the EFL have advised that any disruption or crowd issues will not be helpful to that objective. The EFL and its clubs have stringent protocols in place and are committed to doing their bit to keep the nation safe as we seek a full return of fans.
In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t over – we must all continue to do our bit to adhere to UK Government guidance and ensure the transmission rate remains low.
The club and the Derbyshire Constabulary are united in one message to fans - support the Rams and 'Watch From Home'.