3/1 To Win
Derby County’s Under-21s will play their second Premier League Cup game inside four days when they host Queens Park Rangers on Monday evening.
The Under-21s will take on the Hoops 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.
Premier League Cup Format...
Mirroring the format of the UEFA Champions League, the Premier League Cup consists of eight four-team groups, with each club playing their opposing teams both home and away.
The Premier League Cup campaign includes Academies from Categories 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Clubs in the third and fourth categories have been competing in qualifiers to join the top-level Academies in the group stage.
Derby County are in Group B alongside Brighton & Hove Albion, AFC Bournemouth and Queens Park Rangers and the full fixture list can be found here.
Team News...
Under-21s boss Pat Lyons is set to have a similar squad available to the one he called upon for the 2-1 loss at AFC Bournemouth on Friday night. Courtney Clarke made his first appearance of the season against the Cherries, playing an hour before being replaced, after returning from a foot injury and could feature once again.
Defender Max Bardell has not featured for the Under-21s this season after suffering a setback in his return to training following hamstring surgery. He is increasing his workload with a view to returning to the fold in the near future.
Attacking midfielder Osazee Aghatise sustained an injury in training last month and he has missed the Under-21s' recent matches as a result but he is edging towards full fitness after working with Derby's medical staff.
2022/23 Premier League Cup So Far...
Derby County’s Under-21s started
their 2022/23 Premier League Cup campaign with a late 2-1 reverse at AFC
Bournemouth on Friday night.
The Group B clash was played at the Premier League outfit’s Vitality Stadium and Pat Lyons’ side conceded two goals in the last 15 minutes to see a first-half lead slip through their fingers.
Derby took the lead after only six minutes on the South Coast as a deep free-kick to the far post by on-loan Chelesea midfielder Joe Haigh was guided home on the volley by centre-back Harrison Solomon for his first goal of the campaign. The finish was a composed one by the former Under-18s defender as he tracked the flight of the ball perfectly and drove the ball into the net with a first-time finish.
Solomon’s strike proved to be the main moment of action in the opening 45 minutes. The hosts did ask questions of Derby but, other than a couple of goalmouth scrambles, the Rams stood firm and kept the Cherries at arms-length for long spells.
Bournemouth eventually levelled with 76 minutes played, when it looked as if Derby had ridden the storm. Jack Stephens won the ball on the halfway line and drove forward and, with the space opening in front of him, he advanced into the penalty area and drove a low effort past Harry Evans and into the bottom corner.
The home side, with around 2,000 fans cheering them on, pushed on in search of a winner - and they claimed it with three minutes of normal time remaining. The Cherries worked the ball out wide to Ben Greenwood and from 20 yards out he drove a low effort into the far corner which Evans was unable to keep out despite getting a hand to the strike.
To view the Under-21s' full 2022/23 fixture list, please click here.
Live Stream...
RamsTV will be streaming the game live on Monday night on YouTube and the club's Facebook page.
Full match highlights from the Premier League Cup clash will also appear online on dcfc.co.uk following the match.
Ticket Information...
Derby County’s Under-21s will play most of their home fixtures for the 2022/23 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:
2022/23 Season Ticket Holders: FREE (when showing their Season Ticket Card)
Advance Purchases: Adult £3.50, Concessions £1.50 (these include online booking fees)
Matchday Purchases: Adult £5, Concessions £2.50 (Please note payment by cash is NOT accepted at Loughborough University Stadium)
* 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-21s’ fixtures at Loughborough University Stadium can be purchased here: loughboroughsport.ticketline.co.uk/derby-county-fc-u23.
