PREVIEW | Derby County vs Stoke City - team news, lineups, predictions | OneFootball

Derby County and Stoke City clash this Saturday at the Pride Park Stadium for matchweek 46 of the EFL Championship. The match will be broadcast live at 12:30 on Sky Sports +.

Derby County currently have 49 points and lie in 19th position. Last time out, John Eustace's team triumphed 0-1 against Hull City (EFL Championship 2024/2025).

Stoke City have 50 points to their name this season and occupy 18th position in the table. In their last encounter, Mark Robins's team were beaten 0-2 by Sheffield United (EFL Championship 2024/2025).

The last meeting between the two teams ended with Stoke City winning 2-1.

The Fan Zone

Cory Hancock (Rams Review Podcast): After 45 games, it all comes down to this. Derby escaped the relegation zone with a late victory against Hull City thanks to a towering header from defender Nat Phillips. It was a dour game of football but at the end of the day, results are all that matter, and the Rams picked up a crucial one. They now sit in 19th position. Only one point from the drop zone but have a far superior goal difference to those teams around them, which could prove to be important.

The outcome is simple. If Derby win, they stay in the division. If they lose, they are looking at others’ results, which is never a great position to be in. Stoke has been poor for a majority of the season and could have as many as six players out through injury (Derby’s injury list is significant as well). While Stoke are not mathematically safe, it would take a wild day to put them into the relegation zone come the final whistle (but crazier things have happened).

This match is also a commemoration of 50 years since Derby’s second league title. Many of these former legends will be in attendance. Pride Park is sold out for this match and the supporters will be right behind The Rams. Derby have played well in recent weeks and need one final performance to secure their future. Staying in the Championship is crucial to the future ambitions of the club.

The final day will provide many twists and turns. It’s always funny how one goal from hundreds of miles away can put supporters and players on edge. Derby have been great at home this season and they hopefully continue in that vein and confirm their stay in the Championship next year.

Prediction: 2-0

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Prediction: 0-0

Unavailable

Derby County

Stoke City

Last starting XIs

Derby County ( vs Hull City 2025-04-26): Josh Vickers, Kane Wilson, Sondre Langas, Nathaniel Phillips, Matt Clarke, Craig Forsyth, Liam Thompson, Ebou Adams, Harrison Armstrong, Jerry Yates, Marcus Harness

Stoke City ( vs Sheffield United 2025-04-25): Viktor Johansson, Junior Tchamadeu, Ben Wilmot, Ashley Phillips, Lynden Gooch, Ben Pearson, Wouter Burger, Million Manhoef, Lewis Baker, Bae Jun-ho, Sam Gallagher