Following their 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town yesterday, Derby County are scheduled to make a trip to the Amex Stadium to lock horns with Brighton & Hove Albion in the 5th round of the FA Cup.
Under the tutelage of Frank Lampard, Derby County have been decent in the Championship and are in the race for promotion to the Premier League. And keeping that in mind, we expect Lampard to make a couple of changes.
It is expected to be a tightly contested affair despite Brighton boasting of Premier League status. Derby have already knocked Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup and will attempt to put on another strong performance against a top-flight side.
Derby County Team News
Scott Carson is still sidelined with a thigh injury and will miss the game. Meanwhile, Marcus Olsson, Craig Forsyth and Curtis Davies remain long-term absentees.
Mason Mount is also on the treatment table owing to his hamstring strain, but Jack Marriott is back in training and could feature this weekend.
PREDICTED DERBY COUNTY LINEUP VS BRIGHTON (4-2-3-1)
Defence
In the absence of Carson, Kelle Roos has done more than a decent job between the sticks. He is set to start in goal once more against Chris Hughton’s troops.
Former Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole was on the bench against the Tractor Boys and he could come into the starting lineup at the expense of Scott Malone.
Fikayo Tomori and Richard Keogh have developed a formidable partnership in central defence and Lampard is unlikely to tinker with their places.
18-year-old right-back Jayden Bogle has put on strong performances this season and is expected to start in the right-back position.
Midfield
Tom Huddlestone has the calibre to dictate the tempo of the game from the base of the midfield and could get the nod to start in the upcoming cup tie.
Alongside Huddlestone, Bradley Johnson could feature in the double pivot. Johnson is capable of cushioning the backline and his defensive acumen could come in handy.
On-loan Liverpool young gun Harry Wilson has dazzled for the Rams. He has 10 league goals to his name and he is likely to start as the central attacking midfielder once again.
Attack
Martyn Waghorn is a clinical centre-forward and the 29-year-old will look to utilise his sharp movements and poaching skills to get on the scoresheet.
Tom Lawrence has been productive this campaign and is expected to start once again on the left flank, whereas Duane Holmes could line up on the right.
Statistics Credits: WhoScored
