G.M's Match Preview: Rams Need To Take Lead To Foil Foxes
Wednesday, 8th Feb 2017 13:20 by George Martin

Tonight Derby and Leicester will again go head to head for an FA Cup replay - live on the BBC tonight.

Both teams may make one or two changes due to injuries and a busy fixture list coming up over the next few weeks.

Derby have injury doubts hanging over Bryson, Russell and Johnson with Johnson the most likely to be fit as he has trained over the past two days. If Bryson is not fit De Sart will play in the CDM role and Johnson will be pushed further forward to partner Butterfield.

After his unbelievable miss against Newcastle away on Saturday, Ince should continue on the right and either Camara or Anya will start on the left wing. Bent will continue in the lone striker role.

Away from home against top six teams, Bent is rarely involved and struggles to offer an outlet. No wonder Derby have offered Martin an extension to his current deal.

Nugent may make the bench as he has trained for the past two days. It will depend on whether he has any adverse reaction to his increased work load. A further change may see Christie come in for Baird but this is unlikely and luckily for Leicester Hughes is still out injured.

After losing convincingly at home to Manchester Untied on Sunday, Leicester are in a dilemma where any win would boost confidence, but they have a huge game against Swansea at the weekend, so may make changes.

King, Gray, Albrighton and Chilwell may come in to add experience and pace in attack. Vardy is likely to start up front on his own as Slimani and want away striker Ulloa are injured. Wague is ineligible and Mahrez and Okazaki may be rested for their important premiership game at the weekend.

Match Prediction:

This is a tough game to call. The previous encounter was entertaining and had plenty of chances and goals. With both teams having injuries, a busy fixture list and half an eye on their own league standings, anything could happen.

Derby needs to have confidence, belief and not pay Leicester too much respect, something that did not happen until the second half against Newcastle on Saturday.

If Derby can take the lead, backed by five thousand fans, there could be an upset on the cards. Again, it is a great time to play The Foxes and surely the best chance to beat them.

Leicester struggle with pace so Camara and Ince have to capitalise on that weakness. However, Leicester could dominate in midfield, with the pace and trickery of Gray causing problems.

Derby to lose 3-1, but it may be a different story if The Rams can take the lead. Ince to score.