3/1 To Win
Manager Frank Lampard believes his Derby County side have a 'great opportunity' to reach the Quarter Finals of the FA Cup - but knows his side will have to be at their very best to overcome Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Rams have enjoyed successful cup runs in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup this season, beating Premier League sides Manchester United and Southampton along the way.
Brighton are the next test, but the prize at the end of it could be a momentous one for both Lampard and Derby.
Derby have not reached an FA Cup Quarter Final in 20 years and the manager’s aim is to, hopefully, put that right on Saturday afternoon against the Seagulls (12:30pm kick-off).
“It’s a long time but it’s a competitive cup and it’s one of the years where a lot of the Premier League teams have fallen out of it,” Lampard told RamsTV.
“It will be a great achievement for us. We have seen what the cup runs have done for our league season this year.
“The fans have loved them, they have travelled and watched us. We have had great days in the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup so it’s on us to try and give it our all and give them another great day. We are getting closer but we have really big opposition in front of us so we need to be at our best.
“Now we are up for a very important game against Premier League opposition in the FA Cup with an opportunity to get the Quarter Finals. We have to appreciate the situation we are in. It’s a big situation and we have to give it everything.”
Brighton currently sit 14th in the Premier League, but are just hree points above the relegation places.
They have not won in the league in 2019 but the manager was keen to play down recent form.
“We are unbeaten but I know we have got room for improvement in our game and that’s a constant for us this season,” he said.
“I know Brighton are a strong team who are very worthy members of the Premier League.
“They showed that last year and they were competitive in it. They have a very good manager and have very good players so I’m not too concerned on recent form but I will analyse them as a Premier League team and it will be a tough challenge for us.”
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