Derby County’s Under-23s will be looking to continue their impressive run of form in Premier League 2 - Division 1 when they host Chelsea on Friday evening.
The Under-23s will face the Blues at Loughborough University Stadium (7pm kick-off) and dcfc.co.uk has brought together all the key information you will need to know ahead of the game.
Team News...
Pat Lyons will be hoping for a similar sort of performance to the one that was on display in the stunning 5-3 win at Arsenal a week ago.
First-team quartet Louie Sibley, Kornell McDonald, Dylan Williams and Louie Watson stepped into the Under-23s in order to get match minutes against the Gunners and impressed with their performances.
With the first-team in action on Saturday they could instead be required to be with Wayne Rooney's squad against Bristol City, so Lyons will make a late check on who is available.
Midfielder Jordan Brown, defender Harrison Solomon and winger Tyree Wilson (all knee) are out of action and not available for selection.
Pre-Match Views - Coaching Staff...
Senior Professional Development Phase Coach Pat Lyons spoke to RamsTV ahead of the clash with the Blues - with the full video available below.
Pre-Match Views - Players' Perspective...
Defender Max Bardell also spoke to RamsTV ahead of Friday's game - with his pre-match views available to watch in the below video.
The Season So Far...
Derby's Under-23s have played 12 games so far this term in Premier League 2 - Division 1 and have registered three wins, one draw and eight defeats.
The
side's performances have deserved more points so far, but they are
making positive strides and are unbeaten in their last four outings.
Their
first win of the league season came in a 3-1 success at home to West
Ham United
in September, while they also picked up three points before the November
international break with a 6-0 hammering of Blackburn Rovers.
The Under-23s have won three and drawn one of their last four matches and recorded an impressive 5-3 win at high-flying Arsenal last Friday.
In the Premier League Cup, the Rams are top of Group C after three matches with seven points to their name. A 3-3 draw at Norwich City was followed up with a 2-1 success at home to Charlton Athletic in October, as well as the win over Reading last month.
Chelsea's Under-23s are ninth in the league table with three wins, five draws and five defeats to their name and were 2-0 winners over Derby's Under-23s when the sides met in October.
A win for Derby would take them to within a point of the Blues with a game in hand still to play after their trip to Leicester City earlier in the season was postponed.
Live Stream...
RamsTV will be streaming the game live for supporters to watch online.
In a change to the previous offering to supporters, this is available to Derby County Membership Holders and RamsTV subscribers.
Membership Holders will be sent a code to redeem to watch this season’s matches, while RamsTV subscribers simply need to log-in to their account.
Derby County Membership packages can be found here: membership.dcfc.co.uk/home and any queries should be sent to membership.help@dcfc.co.uk.
RamsTV subscription options can be found here: dcfc.co.uk/page/ramstv-live-streaming and any queries should be sent to academystream@dcfc.co.uk.
Ticket Information...
Derby County’s Under-23s will continue to play most of their home fixtures for the 2021/22 season at Loughborough University.
Supporters will once again be able to attend the matches and tickets can be purchased in advance of each fixture from the Loughborough Sport website.
Advanced purchases are advised, and all tickets will be for the terracing areas of Loughborough University Stadium.
Tickets are priced as follows:
Season Ticket Holders: FREE (all Season Ticket Holders have been emailed a 2021/22 'proof of purchase' to show on arrival)
Advance Purchases: Adult £3.50, Concessions £1.50 (these include online booking fees)
Matchday Purchases: Adult £5, Concessions £2.50
* The doors will open for each match from 30 minutes before kick-off.
Stadium Address: Loughborough University Stadium, Loughborough, LE11 3TL.
Tickets for all of Derby County Under-23s’ fixtures at Loughborough University Stadium can be purchased here: loughboroughsport.ticketline.co.uk/derby-county-fc-u23.