Derby County

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Derby County will aim to keep in touch with the Championship play-off places when they welcome promotion-chasing Middlesbrough on New Year's Day (15:00 GMT kick-off).

The Rams are 14th and six points behind the top six after a run of just one win in seven games (D3 L3).

Boro missed the chance to close the gap to leaders Coventry with a 1-0 defeat to Hull on Monday night and remain eight points behind, while they are two clear of Ipswich and Hull in third and fourth respectively.

Kim Hellberg won his first four games in charge of Boro, but is now without victory in the past three (D1 L2).

• Derby County are unbeaten in each of their past five home league games against Middlesbrough (W3 D2), since a 2-1 Championship defeat in April 2018.

• Middlesbrough came from behind to beat Derby County 2-1 back in November and could now complete a league double over the Rams for the first time since 2014-15 under Aitor Karanka.

• Derby County have lost their past three league games played on New Year's Day, last avoiding defeat on the opening day of the year in 2019, a 1-1 home draw with Middlesbrough.

• Including 2026, eight of Middlesbrough's previous nine league matches on New Year's Day have come away from home, losing just one of the previous seven on the road (W3 D3).

• Middlesbrough's Morgan Whittaker has been directly involved in six goals in three league appearances on New Year's Day (2 goals, 4 assists), more than any other player in the EFL since 2023.

Ed Dawes
BBC Radio Derby commentator

Image source, Shutterstock

What a year 2025 was for Derby County.

It began with a thumping 4-2 defeat at Hillsborough by Sheffield Wednesday, which included a goal from inside his own half by Josh Windass.

At that time, there were serious rumblings from supporters about the Rams' trajectory... it was simply going south.

Despite a win at home on Boxing Day 2024 against West Brom at Pride Park, that was only their seventh victory, and little did we know it would be their last until March.

Seven straight defeats and an FA Cup third-round exit on penalties to League One Leyton Orient left many of us believing something had to change. Add to that, the Rams missed out on much-needed coffers in the fourth round as Orient welcomed Manchester City.

A huge decision came on the eve of the Rams' trip to Norwich City in February.

Head coach Paul Warne was sacked and Sportscene went into emergency talk-in mode on the A14 in Cambridgeshire.

Two hard-earned points at Carrow Road and at home to Oxford followed under Matt Hamshaw, while talk of getting John Eustace out of his contract at Blackburn Rovers intensified.

Eustace, an ex-midfield maestro at Pride Park, had previously told me of his fondness for the Rams and how he'd like to return as manager one day. Well, this was the moment.

After protracted negotiations at Ewood Park, Eustace took charge in his first game against QPR at Loftus Road. The Rams were thumped 4-0 and, despite the new dawn, a lot of fragile confidence and overthinking bled into the Rams' performance.

After that, though, things did change. They became organised and harder to beat. Millwall stole a 90th-minute winner in a dull affair at Pride Park, before a late mistake gave Middlesbrough a 1–0 win at the Riverside.

Eustace's practices started to make subtle changes - consistent selection, figuring out who was best where, and how he could make them believe in themselves.

Sondre Langas, Nat Phillips and Matt Clarke became a wall. Loan midfielder Harrison Armstrong took hold of the midfield, and captain Ebou Adams led with passion. Goals were in short supply, but Marcus Harness and Jerry Yates never gave up.

The Rams won four in a row, including a brilliant five-goal thriller at Plymouth.

They were out of the bottom three, and only a couple more wins would see an incredible end to the season and an act of salvation by Eustace. The wins came at West Brom and Hull City, which left some bizarre mathematics on the final day to relegate them. Survival achieved.

In August, expectation was high, but it was tempered by the head coach, who in his first interview with BBC Radio Derby said it would be a slow start as new signings were not up to speed and some players were injured.

He was right. One win in the first 10 games, and a thumping 5-3 home defeat by Coventry City, led to a few minor alarm bells.

But you must trust the process, and what the head coach tells you is true. He was right again. A fully fit squad led to five straight Championship wins and six from seven overall.

Losing new signings Carlton Morris, Lewis Travis, Owen Beck, Max Johnston and David Ozoh to injury has scuppered progression. But they will be back in 2026, which can really cement the Rams in the Championship.

Perspective in football is key. January will see the fourth anniversary of the fans' march from the city centre to Pride Park ahead of the Birmingham City game.

We had no idea what was to come; now we do. And the conversation is full of opinion and expectation, shrouded in the odd spot of gloom. That's football - we have it in Derby, and we pray it never changes.

Dominic Dietrich
BBC Radio Derby Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Derby County are set to make their first signing of the January transfer window with Danish midfielder Oscar Fraulo joining from Borussia Monchengladbach.

The 22-year-old is set to join for a cross-border compensation fee of between €300,000-400,000.

The club have been chasing him for a year, a time span that pre-dates interim recruitment lead Leigh Bromby and head coach John Eustace so this would fall into the category of an asset for the future alongside the likes of Patrick Agyemang, Max Johnston and Sondre Langas.

Eustace confirmed as much to BBC Radio Derby last night, following defeat at Leicester City, suggesting "the club have been looking at him for a while" and he could be "one for the future".

When Derby went for Fraulo last season, they were not alone in their pursuit and offers entered the multi-millions for his services. It has not gone exactly to plan for him since then.

Upon signing for the Rams, he will have played just 40 minutes of competitive football so far this season and will arrive with an independent training programme to get him up to speed with the demands of the Championship and the team.

Derby made training-related mistakes in the January market last season with both winter recruits, Langas and Lars-Jorgen Salvesen, picking up serious knee injuries after being thrown straight in.

The position John Eustace has lacked is that player to unpick a defence and progress the Rams up the pitch.

Can a 22-year-old in his first experience of English football be the answer when fully up to speed? Or will there be more reinforcements for the here and now?

We will find out across the month but this deal is certainly one with an eye into the summer and beyond.

Derby County boss John Eustace spoke to BBC Radio Derby after Monday's 2-1 defeat at Leicester City.

"I'm disappointed to lose the game," he said.

"I thought the lads put 100% in and their attitudes were a different class. We just lacked that quality in the final third, really.

"Those were two really poor goals [to concede] - we switch off, we don't track a runner in midfield and while I thought Tommo [Liam Thompson] was excellent in the game, James was too strong for him and he got in behind.

"With both goals, that little bit of concentration was lost and we were punished for it.

"The effort was there for everyone to see. The group gave their best after a tough game [a 1-1 draw with Birmingham City] a couple of days ago."

Amelia Warren
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

I always remember family get togethers at Christmas being planned around when Derby would be playing. Often not being able to make the journey to away festive fixtures because of time spent with family.

I'd be over the moon if we were at home because it meant leftover sandwiches in the car, new shirts to wear to matches and a way out of having to help set up for the family gathering at home.

My mum and dad were both huge Derby County fans. My mum always followed every game with Radio Derby commentary. My dad took me and my brother to matches on season tickets and also on long away adventures, too.

Two memorable festive fixtures came in consecutive seasons for me.

The first in the 2014-15 campaign when the Rams travelled to a snowy St Andrews to take on Birmingham City. We all gathered round at my aunt's house to watch on TV, as Derby ran out 4-0 winners. The fourth goal coming courtesy of my favourite Rams player of all time, Johnny Russell.

Aged 11, I recall wearing a new home shirt that I'd received the day prior from dad - printed of course with 'Russell 11'. When Johnny scored the fourth goal, I spilt juice down it in celebration.

My dad was quick to try and get me to wipe it down, half telling me off for not being careful enough, half laughing at how typical it was that my favourite Christmas present of the year had only taken 24 hours to ruin.

My mum spent a month afterwards trying various stain removal products on the shirt. Finally succeeding, but at the cost of shrinking it so it no longer fit.

For my birthday that same season I received a new Russell home shirt from mum, this time with a card that stated it must be worn with a bib at all times.

The second Boxing Day fixture a year later saw us play at home to Fulham. Derby went into the match six games unbeaten, and a win would've seen us go to the top of the table.

As a late Christmas surprise my dad drove us down to the game early, so I could meet the players. I happened to be wearing the 'Russell 11' shirt I'd received for my birthday, to replace my spoilt one from the previous Christmas.

Much to my delight, Russell was one of the first players to arrive. My dad and I took a quick snap with him, before someone passed over a pen and he signed my shirt.

Entirely buzzing and starstruck, I couldn't focus much on the game. However, the Rams got the victory to move to the top of the table and go seven games unbeaten, with the south stand belting out a brilliant rendition of Bing Crosby's 'White Christmas' at full time.

My mum sadly passed away in 2019. And tragically, my dad also passed away just five weeks ago, on 20 November.

With two devastating losses, it's difficult to feel Christmas in the same way we once did. The magic of it all seems a little less prominent, and the joy just that little bit dimmed.

Despite this though, the one constant that keeps our Christmas spirit up is Derby County.

Turning up to Pride Park last week for the game against Portsmouth and seeing parents bringing their children to their first match, was so heartwarming.

Knowing that so many other people are going to make those special memories my brother and I got to make with our parents, is just one of the thousands of examples of how key football is in bringing families together, particularly at Christmas.

We also know there were other people in that crowd, just like us, who were probably dreading the festivities taking place, but knew they'd have Derby to use as a distraction.

Attending games and feeling that sense of 'normality' for 90 minutes provides a real comforting relief from grieving.

In the crowd at the King Power tomorrow my brother and I will be reminiscing on fixtures against Leicester that remind us of our parents, while also making more memories together in their honour.

We'll be kitted out in scarves and shirts that they purchased for us in previous years, feeling that they're stood right by us, willing the Rams on with every kick and hopefully pushing us on to a special victory too.

You can often catch Amelia Warren, external, external as a guest on BBC Radio Derby.

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Derby manager John Eustace was full of his praise for his side after earning a draw at Birmingham City despite playing more than half the game with 10 men.

The Rams boss believed they could even have claimed all three points despite Jo Ward's red card.

"I thought they were excellent. To be down to 10 men for a long period was tough, but the way the lads went about their business today was absolutely outstanding. I was very proud of every one of them," he told BBC Radio Derby.

"The first 10 minutes we got our shape very slightly wrong. After that we took a really good grip of the game.

"We scored a fantastic goal and we knew we would have a bit of pressure to defend, and apart from when they hit the post I don't think they caused us any other issues.

"Even when we went down to 10 men I felt very comfortable, and I'm disappointed we didn't get the three points.

"I thought it was a very soft yellow card [for Joe Ward] but his decision-making for the second was very poor. He has to hold his hands up for that."

Image source, Opta

Birmingham seek to rewrite their record books as they welcome Derby for their final home game of 2025 on Friday (12:30 GMT).

Chris Davies side are seeking an 18th home win of the calendar year, which would match their best ever return.

Blues have taken a single point from their past four games to fall to 14th, six points behind the play-off places, but have taken 21 points from 10 home games, with just a single defeat.

The Rams are unbeaten in three games, claiming five points, and sit two points and two places ahead of their hosts ahead of John Eustace's return to St Andrew's.

• Birmingham have won two of their past three league games against Derby (D1), as many as they had in their previous 19 (D7 L10).

• Derby lost their last away league game to Birmingham in September 2021. They've not lost on consecutive visits to St Andrew's since a run of four between 1974 and 1977.

• Birmingham beat Burton Albion 2-0 on Boxing Day last season. They've not won consecutive Boxing Day matches since a run of three between 2006 and 2008.

• Derby have won their past two Boxing Day league games, beating Wigan in 2023 and West Brom in 2024. They last won three in a row on Boxing Day between 1956 and 1958.

• Birmingham have won 17 home league games in 2025 and need one more home win to equal their record for home victories in a calendar year, set in the year 2000 when they won 18.

Derby County are moving in the right direction on and off the field, according to head coach John Eustace.

The former Rams player was appointed as boss in February and, after securing Championship survival last term, has led Derby to 12th place near the midway point this season.

"There's been progress throughout my time here, we're coming up to a year and you can see the progress on and off the field," Eustace told BBC Radio Derby.

"There's a lot of hard work to go, we're building in the right way, laying the right foundations and it's important we don't get too carried away with the highs and the lows.

"We have to be a realist about it and realise the squad isn't as strong, probably, as others are, but what we have got is players who are 100% committed and give their all week-in, week-out."

Derby visit Eustace's former club Birmingham - he was sacked by Blues in October 2023 when they were sixth in the Championship table - on Boxing Day (12:30 GMT).

"It's a long time ago now so the emotions are different," the 46-year-old said.

"Birmingham have been on a great journey. I had 18 fantastic months there, a really good first season and we had started to build something special in the second season.

"The squad they've built and the stadium and facilities are all geared up for the Premier League and it's a really exciting time to be a Birmingham fan, I'm sure, and they have a team there ready to go which is great for them."

Image source, PA Media

Derby County manager John Eustace says he is disappointed his side couldn't find a winner in the 1-1 draw with Portsmouth but pleased with their points return so far.

He told BBC Radio Derby: "I think it's a great point from the way we went a goal down - to get a point is good. Obviously we wanted all three. Really disappointed we didn't win the game, for sure.

"I think in the second half we had to show a bit more composure, a bit more quality, a bit more patience.

"On another day we could've got all three points. But to get another point in the right direction is pleasing but we're halfway through the season, there is so much more hard work to come from the group.

"We're on 31 points now which is not a bad return going into the second half [of the season]."

Amelia Warren
Fan writer

Image source, Shutterstock

After a tough defeat at home to Leicester City, in a game which saw Derby fall way below the high standards set for themselves, and another lacklustre contest against Millwall despite picking up a point, the Rams travelled to Hillsborough and got back to much-needed winning ways on Monday night.

One notable figure in all of the previous three fixtures, has been Liam Thompson. His introduction into the midfield, despite not previously having a consistent run of games so far this season, brought an extra gear of intensity that the Rams had previously been lacking.

At Hillsborough, Thommo was rewarded for his patience and started back-to-back games for the first time since August, by getting on the scoresheet, a goal which he took in a composed and technically impressive manner.

The depth in Derby's midfield when every player is fit is probably one of the best in the whole division.

Lewis Travis, Ebou Adams, David Ozoh, Bobby Clark, and Thompson, have all shown at different times this season that they're capable of playing in that central role.

When the likes of Travis and Ozoh return to fitness, you can imagine John Eustace will have a big headache in terms of who he chooses to pair in midfield.

Personally, I love the all-round style of Liam Thompson. He's happy to be a ball carrier and bring Derby onto the front foot, whilst also being comfortable to sit in, maintain possession and dictate play when needed.

The grit and fight he shows, sticking a boot in, never shying away from being on the receiving end of a tackle himself, and always giving 100%, no matter the circumstances, are qualities that make him unique.

You can tell he loves Derby, loves playing for the Rams, and is willing to leave everything out there for the team in every game he features in, I think that's special to have in a player.

The Rams also got to see the best of Patrick Agyemang on Monday night.

After losing top scorer Carlton Morris to injury, Agyemang has stepped up to prove he's willing and capable of filling his boots until he can return.

The two goals showed different qualities that he possesses. The first was a clinical, technical, and confident finish into the bottom right hand corner. The second was a composed, instinctive and intelligent strike from close range.

This was without a doubt the best game we've seen Agyemang have in a Derby shirt, and I'm intrigued to see how he uses that confidence and momentum going into today's game against Portsmouth, and also into the festive period.

Whilst I believe he's still raw, getting to grips with Championship football, and definitely not the finished article just yet, I do think we're seeing an improvement week in week out, and why Derby were so eager to bring him in for a fairly hefty fee.

I'd love to see him back playing with Morris again soon. If we're looking to challenge the top half, I think having both of them firing will be key to that happening.

Derby's last three games perhaps show the inconsistency in results that reflect being a mid-table side, but the bounce-back ability shown by the Rams multiple times this season has been impressive. It is a quality that definitely shows ambitions in the dressing room are set high.

I like the fact that when Derby have a bad game at the moment, I always feel as though we will turn it around and improve in the next one.

The reassurance that squad morale and togetherness is high was shown once again in Monday's post-match celebrations, and the general feeling around the club seems positive, which is refreshing to see.

Portsmouth is a winnable game for Derby, who should be looking to capitalise on Pompey's poor away form.

John Mousinho's side have only won one game on the road all season, and currently sit at the bottom of the away form table.

I think it's important for Derby to pick up three points on Saturday.

Being able to go into a tricky festive run of fixtures with back to back wins, and being unbeaten in three matches would provide some much-needed consistency, as well as maintaining confidence levels, after an up and down run of recent results.

You can often catch Amelia Warren, external as a guest on BBC Radio Derby.

Derby head into Saturday's game (15:00 GMT) now four points short of the Championship play-off places, but did end a three-game winless run by beating Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 on Monday.

Portsmouth moved out of the relegation zone by beating Blackburn Rovers last weekend, but do have the worst away record in the division.

• Derby are unbeaten in their past 10 league games against Portsmouth (W4 D6), winning this exact fixture 4-0 last season.

• Portsmouth have won just one of their past 10 away league games against Derby (D3 L6), and are winless in six since a 2-1 victory in November 2002.

• Derby were 3-0 winners against Sheffield Wednesday in their previous Championship outing – only once previously have they won consecutive league matches without conceding under John Eustace (1-0 v Norwich and QPR in October this year).

• Following their 2-1 win versus Blackburn, Portsmouth will be looking for consecutive Championship victories for the first time since April (5-3 v Norwich, 1-0 v Watford).

• Two of the three players who have attempted 25+ shots without scoring in the Championship this season play for Portsmouth: Josh Murphy (34) and Conor Chaplin (25), along with QPR's Karamoko Dembélé (33).

Derby County boss John Eustace says that striker Lars-Jorgen Salvesen is "going to get opportunities" after starting just two Championship games this season.

In September, the Norwegian made his comeback from a knee injury that had sidelined him for eight months.

There has been an increase in competition within the squad, with the club investing in a number of attacking options in the summer, including Carlton Morris, Rhian Brewster, Ben Brereton Diaz and Patrick Agyemang.

"He's already scored a couple of great goals and he's about the squad, so I don't want him to go anywhere [in January]," Eustace told BBC Radio Derby.

"He's a good age, he's very experienced, a clinical finisher, so he's going to get opportunities - he's just got to keep going."

One player who is becoming a core member of Eustace's squad is Birmingham City loanee Dion Sanderson.

The defender has featured in all but one of the Rams' Championship games this season, only missing out on the trip to Swansea City due to suspension.

"Everyone knows I think Dion is an excellent player," Eustace added.

"We've brought him in from the cold where probably a lot of people had given up on him and he was maybe going elsewhere. We've given him an opportunity and he's done well. I've been pleased with his form."

Meanwhile, midfielder Lewis Travis and right-back Max Johnston are both expected to return to full training on Friday but will not feature on Saturday when the side host Portsmouth (15:00 GMT).

Listen to the full interview with Eustace and more Derby County content on BBC Sounds.

"The excitement of what we had in those five games [Derby won in a row] , I think it's fair to say that has dampened down."

Former Rams striker Malcolm Christie is joined by BBC Radio Derby's Dominic Dietrich and Ed Dawes to discuss Derby County's last two games and what the expectations are as they prepare to host struggling Portsmouth this weekend.

Listen to the latest episode of Rams Weekly and more Derby County content on BBC Sounds.

Derby County boss John Eustace praised striker Patrick Agyemang after his brace of goals in Monday's 3-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday helped lift the Rams up to 12th in the Championship with just their second win in six games.

"I thought it was a great result, it was a really difficult game," he told BBC Radio Derby. "Against Watford last week they were excellent so it's really pleasing to come here and get the result.

"First half, we got into some fantastic positions on turnover and it was disappointing that we weren't clinical enough.

"Really the game should have been out of sight first half but it was great to come out, get the two goals and we controlled the game in the second half.

"[Patrick Agyemang] had the groin problems and then he's got to learn and get used to things. We expected a slow start from Pat, but he's progressing into a top, top striker. Still a lot of work to go, but we'll keep working with him.

"Win, lose or draw, as long as my players are committed and show that level of competitiveness, that's all I ask for. We're not going to win all games, but we're going to be competitive.

"We're going to grow, we're going to build - this is a long project and I'm really excited to be here."