West Bromwich Albion travel to Pride Park looking to strengthen their early play-off challenge, while Derby County seek to halt a difficult start to the season.

Form & Standings

• Derby County: Struggling near the bottom (around 20th–21st) with just 4 points from 5 games. Recent form includes a 3-0 defeat at West Ham. They have found goals hard to come by and have several injury concerns.
• West Brom: Sitting in the top six (around 5th–6th) with 10 points from 5 matches. Solid recent results, including a 1-0 win over Watford, and only one league defeat so far.

Derby have a strong recent head-to-head record against West Brom (unbeaten in the last eight meetings), which could give the home side confidence despite their league position.

Team News

Derby County
Missing several players: Rhian Brewster (concussion – out for at least two games), Craig Forsyth (long-term knee), Patrick Agyemang, Matt Clarke, and others. Lewis Travis and Bobby Clark are doubts. Sammie Szmodics remains a key attacking threat.

West Brom
Mikey Johnston is out (injury). Otherwise relatively settled. Jimmy-Jay Morgan has been in strong scoring form. Nat Phillips and George Campbell likely to start at the back.

Prediction

Derby County 1-2 West Bromwich Albion

West Brom’s superior form and squad depth should see them edge a competitive Midlands derby. Derby’s injury list and defensive vulnerabilities make an away win the most likely outcome, though the hosts’ historical edge in this fixture means it may not be straightforward.