Derby County

Kim Hellberg will take helm of Middlesbrough for the first time on Saturday (15:00 GMT) as his new side host Derby County.

Boro won their first game under caretaker boss Adi Viveash but subsequently only earned one point out of their following two matches to see them out of the second place spot on goal difference.

But Hellberg's introduction to the Riverside will be a testing one, with the Rams winning six of their past seven league matches (L1) to put themselves within touching distance of the top six.

• Middlesbrough have lost just one of their last 16 home league games against Derby (W12 D3), winning each of the last three in a row.

• Derby lost their last league meeting with Middlesbrough in March (0-1), but haven't lost consecutive league matches against Boro since a run of three from April 2014 to March 2015.

• Middlesbrough have only won one of their last six league games (D3 L2), conceding in each of those games; they last endured a longer run of conceding between October and December 2024 (9 games).

• Derby County have won six of their last seven league games (L1), winning each of their last three on the road; they last enjoyed a longer such run in the Championship in October 2014 (4).

• Derby's Andreas Weimann has been involved in four goals in his last three away league appearances against Middlesbrough (1 goal, 3 assists), providing a hat-trick of assists in Bristol City's 3-1 win in July 2020.

Derby County wing-back Joe Ward has said he considered retiring from football because of a recurring knee injury - but is now enjoying a run in the team.

The 30-year-old missed most of last season after requiring knee surgery for the second time in two years.

But Ward has now started the past five games for the Rams, providing four assists and scoring one goal in the 2-1 win at Swansea on Tuesday night.

"It's been so tough," he told BBC Radio Derby after victory in Wales lifted Derby up to seventh in the Championship and level on points with Bristol City in the play-off places.

"There have been points where I've really been struggling with my knee and at times I've thought I could pack this in.

"But I kept going and doing everything behind the scenes, working hard and being as professional as I can and now it's starting to pay off and I'm really happy.

"It's been a long journey. I've worked so hard and I'm still working hard. I'm feeling great.

"We're playing great and as long as I can keep helping the team with goals and assists, I'm really happy and hopefully we can push on."

Ward said "there is no ceiling" for this Derby side in their quest to win promotion to the Premier League for the first time since 2006-07 after a run of six wins in their past seven games.

"We're just going to keep pushing and see where we go," he added.

Swansea face play-off chasing Derby County on Tuesday (19:45 GMT) as they look to avoid dropping closer to the relegation line.

The Swans are currently in a state of limbo, awaiting the arrival of Vitor Matos to take the reigns with caretaker Darren O'Dea unsure about his future with the club.

However, the Welsh side may have caught a break in facing the Rams this midweek. Derby's five match winning streak came to an end on Saturday after a 3-2 loss to Watford and they may be without star striker Carlton Morris for the trip.

• Swansea have won each of their last three league games against Derby, as many as in their previous 17 against the Rams (D7 L7).

• Derby have won just one of their last eight away league games against Swansea (D3 L4), losing the last three in a row since a 3-2 triumph in February 2020.

• Having been unbeaten at home in the league between April and September (W4 D4), Swansea have lost three of their four at home since the start of October (W1).

• Derby have won their last two away league games, last winning three in a row in the Championship back in July 2020.

• Derby's Carlton Morris has scored six away goals in the Championship this season. It's already his second highest tally away from home in a single Football League campaign, netting nine with Luton in their 2022-23 promotion season.

Derby manager John Eustace fears the worst after the Championship's joint leading goalscorer Carlton Morris was forced off with a knee injury in the home defeat by Watford.

"It looks pretty bad," Eustace told BBC Radio Derby. "For the big man to come off it's got to be bad. At first glance it doesn't look bad so he'll get assessed tomorrow by the medical team and we'll take it from there."

Eustace was also disappointed by his side throwing away a two-goal lead, saying: "At 2-0 I thought we were comfortable. They had a lot of possession and are a really good team, and we switched off for that for that first goal they scored, that lack of concentration, and for the second game in a row we've given away a penalty where it was needless.

"At 2-2 we'd have taken a point with them on the front foot, and the way we conceded the third goal just wasn't like us, that lack of organisation and leadership."

If you're wondering where your team is going to finish in the Championship this season, you no longer need to worry.

Well, kind of.

Opta's supercomputer has worked its magic to figure out the most likely final league position of every team - and the chances each has of being promoted, making the play-offs or getting relegated.

Who is most likely to win automatic promotion?

It will come as no surprise that leaders Coventry are heavy favourites for the title (69.3%) and also have the highest chance of automatic promotion (84.2%) to the Premier League.

The next most likely to go straight up, with a 30.8% chance, are Middlesbrough. Despite currently sitting seventh and six points behind Boro in second, Ipswich are expected to be the third favourites for a top two finish (18.9%) followed by Stoke (14.1%).

Even though they've each enjoyed a strong start to the campaign, Preston (10.3%), Hull (6.1%) and Millwall (8.3%) have slimmer chances of finishing in an automatic promotion spot.

Who will make the play-offs?

Image source, Rex Features

Even if Coventry don't win automatic promotion, Opta's supercomputer has given the Sky Blues a 97.9% chance of a top-six finish, suggesting it's almost guaranteed.

Each of Middlesbrough, Ipswich, Preston and Stoke are expected to finish in a minimum of a play-off position at least one in two times.

Hull might feel the hardest done by as they sit fifth currently, but are said to have less chance (32.3%) than Millwall (38.8%) and Charton (32.4%), who are below them in the table.

The most likely of the chasing pack to make a surge up the table are 12th-placed Leicester City, who have been given a 31.8% chance of finishing in the top six and are more likely than Bristol City (28.9%), Derby (22.9%) and Birmingham (19.9%).

Last season's beaten play-off finalists Sheffield United have just a 1.8% chance of recovering their season to make the play-offs again, while relegated Premier League side Southampton (12.5%) aren't likely to either... if you trust the supercomputer!

Who is going down?

Image source, Rex Features

It's probably not hard to work out who is most likely to finish bottom and be relegated to League One.

Sheffield Wednesday's 12-point deduction, which has left them 17 points adrift of safety on -4 points, means they're pretty much nailed on to finish bottom (84.8%) - and failing that, are almost certain to go down (98.2%).

Second from bottom Norwich are the next most likely candidates to fall through the trap door (58.5%) but Sheffield United, who currently occupy the final relegation spot, have just a 22.4% chance of going down and are considered more likely to stay up than Oxford (37.8%) and Portsmouth (31.3%).

Derby County return to action after the international break to go in search of a sixth straight Championship win when they welcome Watford to Pride Park on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The Rams have climbed into the top-10, within two points of the play-off places, having gone five games without a win prior to this run to drop to 21st.

The Hornets are the only side in the division without an away win this season, taking three points from their seven matches on the road in total but went into the break unbeaten in three games to lie 15th, two points behind County.

• Derby County have lost their past four Championship matches against Watford, losing both at Pride Park in this run without scoring a goal (0-1 in 2020/21, 0-2 in 2024/25).

• Watford are looking to win three consecutive away league games against Derby for the first time – they've also kept a clean sheet in their past two, having conceded in each of their first 20 visits.

• Despite having the fewest shots in the Championship this season (127), Derby County are on a five-match winning run. The Rams last won six league games in a row between December 2022 and February 2023 in League One, while in the Championship they last did so between October and December 2016 (7).

• Watford's Imrân Louza has been involved in 11 goals in his past 14 Championship appearances (6 goals, 5 assists), including scoring or assisting in each of his past five games (4 goals, 1 assist).

• Derby's Carlton Morris is the joint leading scorer in the Championship this season with 10 goals, scoring five in November alone. It's the most Championship goals by a Rams player in one month since Matej Vydra scored five in November 2017, while since 2004/05 only Chris Martin has scored more in a single month – seven in December 2013.

Derby County head coach John Eustace was back in front of the media on Thursday to talk about Watford's visit on Saturday.

The 46-year-old reflected on the five-game winning run that took them into the international break as the Championship's most in form side.

"It's over the course of 15 games that they got themselves into a good position," he told BBC Radio Derby.

"They have been working their socks off for the past four months and there is a hell of a lot of hard work to go."

He gave a number of injury updates, saying midfielder David Ozoh could be back from injury in three weeks, while Max Johnston is "back on the grass" and a few weeks away from a return while Lewis Travis is "improving" but has undergone more scans to get a clearer picture of when he is due back from a calf problem.

On-loan defender Owen Beck, however, will return to parent club Liverpool after suffering a hamstring injury.

You can listen to all Eustace had to say to BBC Radio Derby - including what he made of the legion of Rams players that were in action for their national sides over the past two weeks - by clicking the play button above.

For all the latest interviews and analysis on the Rams, go to dedicated Derby County page on BBC Sounds.

Andrew Aloia
BBC Sport, East Midland at Moor Farms

Image source, Derby County Football Club

Defender Owen Beck is set to return to Liverpool from his loan at Derby County after being ruled out for up to four months with a hamstring injury.

The 23-year-old has failed to make an appearance for the Rams since joining on a season-long loan in the summer.

A succession of injuries has kept the highly-rated left-back out of John Eustace's side this term.

He suffered his latest setback in a recent Under-21 match against Blackburn Rovers, and has since undergone surgery so will return to parent club Liverpool for his rehabilitation.

"I feel really sorry for Becky. It's been a really difficult time for him," Eustace told BBC Radio Derby.

"Having worked with him at Blackburn, to bringing him to the football club this season was a great success from the recruitment side for sure to be able to get a player of that quality here and to showcase him over the course of the season everyone was exited for that.

"But this is all part of his learning and development, we a really sorry for hm but he will come back stronger."

Meanwhile, on-loan Crystal Palace midfielder David Ozoh is expected to be out for another three weeks after limping off the pitch in Derby's 2-1 victory against Blackburn.

Former Derby striker Phil Gee has said the Rams' in-form forward Carlton Morris would be "a dream to play with".

Morris has scored 10 goals in 15 Championship appearances since arriving in the summer from Luton Town.

"When we played Luton last season I said he's the type of the player we need because we're getting the ball up front and it's coming right back where as with Carlton we put the ball up to him and he'll hold it up, he'll hold the defenders off, " Gee told BBC Radio Derby.

"As a striker myself, who used to like to feed off a bigger man, he'd be a dream to play with."

Morris' goals and overall play have been an influential component of a Derby side that has recorded five straight wins to move up to 10th in the Championship table and within two points of the play-off places.

John Eustace's side host Watford at Pride Park on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

"He's confident. When you're scoring you get confidence," Gee added. "Every time you get a chance in your mind you're going to score because you're confident that that ball is going to go in.

"You get a dry spell and you sort of start snatching at things. You can see with Carlton the confidence is oozing out of him. He's one-on-one with the keeper, you know he's going to score."

"Things have completely changed now, haven't they? It's got to the point where we're now looking up rather than looking down."

BBC Radio Derby's Dominic Dietrich and Ed Dawes are joined by Second Tier podcasters Justin Peach and Ryan Dilks to reflect on the Rams' five-match Championship winning streak which has taken them into the top 10 and within two points of the play-offs.

John Eustace's side return to action after the international break with the visit of Watford to Pride Park on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

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

Image source, Shuttershock

Rod Thomas, a member of Derby County's 1974-75 First Division title-winning side, has died at the age of 78.

The defender made 118 appearance for the Rams after joining them from Swindon, with whom he won the League Cup, in 1973.

Thomas was a key member of Dave MacKay's championship side which finished two points clear of Liverpool and Ipswich Town and went on to win the Charity Shield ahead of the following season.

He also won 50 caps for Wales and went on to play for both Cardiff City and Newport County.

"Jacob Widell Zetterstrom has come in real big time for Derby County this season and there were some serious questions about him as well going into the start of the season.

"I think they've simplified his game. They've taken the risk out of it and I think that's helped him."

Former Rams striker Malcolm Christie and BBC Radio Derby's Dominic Dietrich deep dive into each member of the Derby County squad in a two-part special.

Part one focuses on the goalkeepers, defenders and midfielders that have helped the Rams to their five match winning streak.

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

Amelia Warren
Fan writer

Image source, Shuttershock

Last week I touched on how the squad's togetherness is having a positive impact on their performances, a trait which once again shone through, as Derby County overcame Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Saturday.

Another important factor in being able to hit such a good run of form has been the way Derby have scored goals, and created chances for their strikers.

Four of the Rams' past seven league goals have come from crosses, with right wing-back Joe Ward providing three assists in that time.

Since joining the club, he has been credited for his crossing and ability at set-pieces. These are qualities which had been hard to showcase consistently because of the lack of physicality, and the presence of an 'out-and-out number 9' in Derby's attack.

Until this season of course.

With the introductions of Ben Brereton Diaz, Patrick Agyemang, and the man of the moment, Carlton Morris, Derby now have a presence up front.

They are attacking players who have bags of stature and strength, and excel by utilising those qualities to get on the end of balls into the box. This has allowed Ward to have arguably his best run of form in a Derby shirt.

There have always been glimpses of brilliance with Ward. The main moment that comes to mind is his wonder free-kick against West Bromwich Albion in the Carabao Cup earlier this season. Not forgetting that he had spent seven months sidelined with injury before that moment.

As more of an attack-minded defender, it wasn't suitable for head coach John Eustace to play him as part of a back four at the beginning of the campaign and, until the return of Sondre Langas, Derby couldn't deploy their preferred back-five system.

With summer signing Max Johnston's injury sidelining him for six to eight weeks, Ward has been offered the chance to reignite his Derby career, and so far I would say he's done exactly that, consistently creating chances that have produced match-winning moments.

I would also argue on current form it may be difficult for Johnston to walk back into the starting line-up when he returns. With Derby possessing such an aerial threat in the box at present, you would be surprised to see perhaps the club's best crosser of a ball drop to the bench.

However, being able to have such strength in depth in pretty much every position this season only reinforces the ambitions of all at the club, and the direction Derby are heading.

Once more we're seeing Eustace bring the best out of players who haven't been able to make their mark consistently in the past. As a supporter, it feels extremely refreshing to have so much competition for places rather than a predictable starting XI and bench because we're having to make do with what we've got.

I'm excited to see what else is to come from Ward after the international break. If he can maintain his form and, more importantly, his fitness, he could play a really key part in where the Rams finish come May.

Derby County boss John Eustace spoke to BBC Radio Derby after Saturday's 2-1 win at Blackburn Rovers.

"I'm very proud, obviously. I'm delighted with the effort," he said.

"I thought in the first half we were really good and in the second half there as nothing in the game, it was a bit dead, and we gave them something to fight for.

"The way the lads dug in at the end at the back end of a three-game week was sensational.

"We are still trying to find our way as a team, but the most important thing is that we are being competitive and that we keep building."