Derby County finally have the opportunity to build on their 1-0 win over Blackpool on 11th December when they play host to West Bromwich Albion this afternoon.

There have been a lot of rumblings off of the pitch since the Rams' last league action with Chris Kirchner removing himself from the equation as a potential club owner. The Rams earned a very respectable goalless draw at The Hawthorns in the reverse fixture and will be hoping to frustrate Valerien Ismael just as much in this encounter.

Wayne Rooney does not have a lot of room for manoeuvre in terms of rotating his squad and with Sam Baldock, Krystian Bielik, Lee Buchanan and Jack Stretton all sidelined it is unlikely there will be wholesale changes. The gap to safety is at 17 points so the Rams need to start picking up wins in the next month or so or the survival dream will be over.

Here, we are predicting Rooney to name an unchanged XI from the one that beat Blackpool last time out...

It is a little more difficult to second guess the starting XI due to it being unclear the results of the squad's coronavirus testing, however with how well the system and personnel worked against the Tangerines, Rooney will be keen to add some continuity in building relationships on the pitch.

 

 

Luke Plange proved to be the match winner in the victory last time out but will have a tougher test this time around. West Brom have the best defensive record in the Championship this season and come into the match five unbeaten, with the chance to break into the automatic promotion spots in victory.