Derby County vs Fulham
English Championship
Date: Friday, 21 February 2020
Kick-Off at 19:45 UK
Venue: Pride Park Stadium, Derby
Match preview Derby County vs Fulham
With a number of their nearest rivals after failing to find consistency in recent weeks, Fulham have the opportunity to move to the top two Championship standings, stay close to the leaders West Bromwich Albion.
However, a 1-1 draw at Millwall was followed by a 3-0 defeat at home is very disappointing for Barnsley - a result that left Scott Parker acknowledge that it had failed to fulfill their previous standards.
Although the Cottagers sit just three points adrift of Leeds, there are the same margin between the West London and Bristol City in the seventh, Parker and his squad put in a position where they are looking over their shoulders.
Positive results in the East Midlands will change their perspective, but Fulham need to improve in the final third comes only with nine goals in as many matches.
Although Aleksandar Mitrovic has 21 strikes to his name, only seven of his teammates have contributed with their own contribution since the beginning of August.
As far as the Derby is concerned, the aims they have improved significantly since the arrival of Wayne Rooney, with 16 netted in their last half dozen events in all competitions.
Which has been ravaged by 11 being delivered at the other end, leaving the head coach Phillip Cocu to try to restore balance to the team that has shown signs of progress.
At the time the club has reached the FA Cup fifth round, a run of five wins out of seven have been recorded in the second tier before their failure to see from either Bristol City or Huddersfield Town.
While their previous momentum has disappeared, Friday's game is an opportunity to remain active in the race for the top six, the target could still be achieved if they can get at least six points on the board from three games before the showdown with Manchester United in the FA Cup.
Team News Derby County vs Fulham
Derby have lost midfielder Duane Holmes injury. Holmes limped off during the first half of the 1-1 draw against Huddersfield last weekend because of a foot injury and faces several weeks on the sidelines.
Tom Huddlestone is still out with a calf injury but Andre Wisdom should be available after hamstring trouble. George Evans will continue to recover from a calf injury to the Rams' U23s.
Promotion-chasing Fulham looking to bounce back from a shock 3-0 defeat by Barnsley. Alfie Mawson (knee), Terence Kongolo (foot) and Maxime Le Marchand (back) remain on the sidelines.
Harrison Reed also could lose it again with a calf problem. The striker Aleksandar Mitrovic showed no ill effects from the ankle injury recently has scored three goals in his last four games.
Head To Head Derby County vs Fulham
In head-to-head recently, Derby County play Fulham in November. It's the Championship match. The winners Fulham securing the score 3-0.
Over the last decade, these sides have met 12 times. Derby County has won in five of them. Fulham have won 4 times. 3 remaining matches resulted in a draw.
In their matches to date, there has been an average of 3.33 goals per game. Derby County an average score of 1.83; Fulham has scored an average of 1.5.
The visiting side, both on the ground, has won 33% of these meetings. The home team has prevailed in 41% of them.
Derby vs Fulham Prediction
Derby labeled as underdogs here at 2.90 odds, while the chances for the Cottagers to claim a much-needed win here a little better at 2.50.
The visitors have been done by Aleksandar Mitrovic lot of time in the past, but the Serbian striker clearly need help. Fulham back line has been kept just one clean sheet in the last five games, but they are still very close to the top.
As for their opposition, the Rams are 13th with 44 points, nine less than 6 placed Preston NE. Derby had a great time at the end of January beginning of February in terms of results. They have beaten Stoke City, Northampton Town and Swansea City in a row, scoring 11 goals in those games. The last two weeks saw them lose Bristol City draw against Huddersfield.
We expect a very aggressive formation of hosts. They do not benefit from a draw here, which means another open match. Over 2.5 FT is the safest way to approach the fixture, the price of 1.90.
Fulham to win it seemed like the best choice for full-time winner of the bet. They are much more consistent throughout the entire season as compared to the Derby.
