Everything You Need To Know About The Rams' Clash With Birmingham

Derby County will return their attention to the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday to face Birmingham City at Pride Park Stadium, kick-off: 3pm.

Following three successive away games, Frank Lampard’s side will return home where they have enjoyed an impressive form and remained undefeated there since the beginning of August. Here, dcfc.co.uk has gathered everything you need to know ahead of the clash with Garry Monk’s side.

TEAM NEWS…

Craig Bryson and George Evans will be unavailable for selection on Saturday. Bryson continues to deal with a small issue, while Evans is training with the team but the fixture against the Blues will come too soon for his return.

Joe Ledley and Marcus Olsson also remain out of action.

WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY…

Speaking to RamsTV, Lampard said: “We are pleased with the work we are doing and the improvement levels, but we must keep that and do more.

"The Championship will hit you where it hurts if you relax so that’s the message."

He added: “Birmingham are impressive and are a good run,They have won four games in a row and are unbeaten in 11 so they have a strong team and have a good manager.

“They are well organised, physical, dangerous, they score goals and are hard to break down and any team who are unbeaten in 11, especially in this division, are doing something right.

“I’ve watched a lot of them and it’s clear to see the work they put in on the training ground that he is doing to improve them and they are on a good run.”

Alternatively, supporters can also buy tickets online right here on dcfc.co.uk.

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WHAT’S TO COME IN THE RAM…

The Ram sat down for an exclusive interview with Tom Huddlestone ahead of the clash at Pride Park Stadium.

Spanning six pages, we spoke to the midfielder about his time growing up the academy, the support

of his family and teammates as a young professional to help keep him grounded and how he is now passing on his experience to help the youth.

THE LAST MEETING…

Birmingham City 0-3 Derby County

Saturday 13th January 2018

Goals from Johnny Russell, Matej Vydra and Andreas Weimann gave the Rams all three points to move back into second in the league table.

Russell gave Derby an early lead when he finished a fine run into the box with an effort that tucked inside the near post.

Vydra then rifled home to double the lead with his 16th goal of the season before Weimann tapped home late on to complete the route at St. Andrew’s.

Birmingham City: Stockdale, Colin, Roberts, Dean, Grounds, Gardner, Kieftenbeld, Maghoma, Davis (Adams, 66), Boga (Jota, 83), Gallagher

Unused Subs: Jutkiewicz, Ndoye, Dacres-Cogley, Morrison, Trueman

Derby County: Carson, Wisdom, Keogh, Davies, Forsyth, Huddlestone, Thorne, Russell, Vydra (Martin, 87), Lawrence (Weimann, 78), Winnall (Nugent, 69)

Unused Subs: Baird, Pearce, Hanson, Mitchell

WHO’S THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…

Christopher Kavanagh will be the man in the middle at Pride Park on Saturday. So far this season he has taken charge of a total nine fixtures producing 23 yellow cards and no red.

Kavanagh last refereed a match involving the Rams in the 2016/17 season including the 3-0 victory against Nottingham Forest at home.

Kavanagh will be assisted by Dan Cook and Sian Massey-Ellis, whilst Graham Salisbury has been appointed as the fourth official.

HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION…

Can’t make it to Pride Park Stadium? You can follow all the build-up, action and reaction on RamsTV.

With content available through dcfc.co.uk, the official DCFC App and Derby County’s YouTube channel, a busy RamsTV schedule starts on Friday with exclusive interviews and a comprehensive Preview Show.

Saturday afternoon will see RamsTV LIVE from 2.30pm when Owen Bradley joined by regular studio pundit Michael Johnson alongside a special guest - former Rams and Blues midfielder Lee Carsley.

The trio will build up to kick-off with clips, stats, exclusive interviews and of course, lively studio discussion. RamsTV’s pre-match show is FREE to watch for all, through both dcfc.co.uk, the official DCFC app and on Derby County’s official Facebook page.

Supporters based outside of the UK and Republic of Ireland will then be able to watch every kick of the game (kick-off 3pm) with commentary from Jack Woodward and Shane Nicholson. For Streaming options please click here.

Once the final whistle has been blown, RamsTV will be THE place to be get all the best post-match reaction, including exclusive interviews with Frank Lampard and his players, as well as comprehensive highlights packages.