Derby travel to Fulham backed by over 4,000 fans who will be hoping to see the Rams maintain their slim lead at the top of the table.
Notts Forest did Derby a favour in midweek by beating Bournemouth and the gap between Derby and third place is now 5 points. However, we all know this can change very quickly in The Championship.
Derby will be looking to take advantage of this by performing well against a Fulham side who have not won in any of their previous eight games in all competitions. Ironically their last victory was against Notts Forest back in the middle of January.
Derby look likely to be unchanged from the side that battered Charlton in the first twenty five minutes, with Grant in goal and a back four of Christie, Keogh, Shotton and Forsyth. Thorne will have hopefully recovered from a scary looking knock to the knee while Hughes and Hendrick will be hoping to dictate and boss the midfield.
Loanees Ince and Lingard will look to get forward and create from the wide areas and poacher Bent will be looking to add to his goal scoring exploits against yet another former club. However, McClaren did hint at using the full squad over the coming weeks so there may be one or two changes to the starting line up with maybe Ward coming in.
Albentosa and Russell will add strength and depth to the Derby bench having both recovered from hamstring strains. The game is too early for top scorer Chris Martin as he is also recovering from injury.
If needed, Russell, Bryson, Ward and Dawkins will look to make an impact from the bench as Derby look to utilise the squad with a number of games over the next 3 weeks.
Despite a record signing at the start of the season and a change of manager after a few months, Fulham have not threatened the play offs at all this season and will be hoping not to get drawn into a relegation battle. Despite his hefty price tag McCormack has still scored 12 goals this season and can easily conjour up a goal out of nothing.
Rodallega is also a threat with his pace and power having scored 11 goals this season. However, he is a doubt with a leg injury, but the experienced Scott Parker could return to the starting lining up as Kit Symons looks to make changes after a crushing away defeat to Wolves.
If Derby can combine a solid and resolute defensive performance with the free flowing attacking of recent games, then the Rams should have too much for a Fulham side who are conceding too many goals and severely lacking in confidence.
The huge away following could also be a contributing factor and will give the players a huge boost, especially when shooting towards the away end in the second half.
Derby to win 2-1 and Bent to score.
COYR!!
Fulham — 20th (D, L, L, D, L):
The last time Fulham had a home win over the Rams was an FA Cup replay in 2005 when they triumphed 4 -2.
Fulham have lost 5 and drawn 3 of their last 8 league matches.
Derby — 1st (W, D, D, W, W):
The Rams have won 2 and drawn 2 of their last 4 matches against Fulham.
Derby have not lost in their last 7 Championship matched having won 5 and drawn 2.
The Rams away form has been impressive of late with 3 wins and 2 draws from their last 5 road trips.
Fulham 2 v 5 Derby
Craven Cottage
Capital One Cup - 28th Oct 2014
Derby 1 v 0 Fulham Baseball Ground - 14th May 1983
Steve McClaren previews the trip to Craven Cottage.
George Thorne wants Derby to lead from the front.
COYR!!