3/1 To Win
Derby County welcome Reading to Pride Park Stadium in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday, with Gary Rowett’s side looking to make it five wins in a row before the final international break of 2017.
The Rams were in brilliant form throughout October, winning all four of their games during the month, and now they’ll be aiming to extend their unbeaten run to eight games, the longest the club has managed since December last year.
We’ve taken at the numbers to see what you can expect when Derby take to the Pride Park pitch at the weekend…
In-Form Winnall
The Rams’ deadline day swoop for Sam Winnall has looked like a masterstroke over the past seven days, as the on-loan striker effectively earned Gary Rowett’s side six points on the road.
The 26-year-old has been clinical since arriving at Pride Park Stadium; and his numbers prove it. He’s had five shots in total since making his debut against Hull City in September, and he’s hit the target with all of them, whilst four of them have found the back of the net.
He’s also the EFL’s in-form striker over the past five seasons, scoring 72 goals across all three divisions; more than any other player.
Four Unbeaten
Derby have historically struggled against Reading over the years; only winning eight out of 28 meetings so far this millennium, but their record has picked up in recent seasons.
The Rams are now four games unbeaten against the Royals since their 3-0 defeat at Pride Park on the final day of the 2014/15 campaign, a result that saw Steve McClaren’s side miss out on the play-offs.
The last meeting between the two clubs was an absolute thriller, as Derby ran out 3-2 winners thanks to goals from Darren Bent, Tom Ince and Will Hughes.
On Fire At Pride Park
Matej Vydra has been in supreme form this season and his improvement from last season is marked, as he’s already scored more Sky Bet Championship goals this season than he did in the entirety of the last campaign.
He’s been enjoying life at Pride Park especially, with his goal in the defeat at Bristol City in September being the only one of his six goals so far to come away from home.
The forward has scored four in his last four games at the home of the Rams, including the openers against Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday, with his East Midlands derby strike coming inside 24 seconds.
Key Creator
Tom Lawrence may not have opened his account for his new club yet, but he’s making a clear impression with his creative play on the left flank for Rowett’s side.
The Wales international has made 18 key passes in the Championship so far this season; more than any other Derby player, a figure that highlights his importance to the Rams’ attack.
Two of those passes have been turned into assists and in
recent weeks he’s been getting closer and closer to his opening Derby goal, so
it will be no surprise if he produces a decisive moment come Saturday
afternoon.
