Championship Preview: Derby County Host Struggling West Brom at Pride Park

England Championship  -  Derby County VS West Bromwich(WBA)
Match Time:24-01-2026 04:00 Saturday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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Derby County welcome West Bromwich Albion to Pride Park as they look to extend their push toward the Championship playoff places, while the visitors arrive under pressure amid a worrying run of form. The fixture renews a long-standing Championship rivalry, with Derby holding a clear psychological edge at home against a West Brom side struggling to rediscover stability.

Team Analysis:
Derby County enters the contest sitting just outside the playoff positions and remains firmly in the promotion conversation. Paul Warne’s side have found momentum in recent weeks, winning three of their last four league matches and showing renewed attacking confidence. Although home form has been inconsistent, Derby have scored in each of their last 11 league games at Pride Park, underlining their offensive reliability.

West Bromwich Albion, by contrast, are enduring a difficult spell. The Baggies have lost eight of their last ten Championship matches and are hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone. Since the appointment of Eric Ramsay, performances have yet to stabilize, with defensive frailties proving costly. Away from home, West Brom have also struggled, failing to win at Pride Park since 2020.

Player Situation:
Derby County continue to manage several fitness concerns, with key players in defense and attack facing late assessments. However, a potential return for their first-choice goalkeeper would provide a boost, while their attacking unit remains largely intact and capable of troubling opposition backlines.

West Brom arrive with notable absences in midfield and limited options in certain areas, forcing Ramsay to rely heavily on a mix of experience and youth. While the visitors still possess individual quality, particularly in wide areas and up front, squad imbalance and defensive uncertainty remain major concerns heading into this fixture.

Result Prediction:
Derby County appear better placed heading into the match, combining stronger recent form with home advantage and greater confidence. West Brom’s urgency may drive a competitive performance, but ongoing defensive issues could again undermine their efforts. Expect Derby to control large spells while conceding chances at the other end.

Predicted Result: Derby County 2-1 West Bromwich Albion