Match Pack: Derby County v Watford

• Derby County v Watford
• Sky Bet EFL Championship
• Pride Park Stadium (Behind Closed Doors)
• Friday October 16, 7.45pm BST

• Referee: Geoff Eltringham
• Assistants: Robert Merchant, James Wilson
• Fourth Official: Tim Robinson

After a disappointing start to the season that saw Derby County lose their first three league games, the Rams went into the international break off the back of their first victory, beating Norwich City at Carrow Road by a single Wayne Rooney goal in the 87th minute. Manager Phillip Cocu replaced Frank Lampard in July 2019 and led his team to 10th place during his first season in charge.

• Derby and Watford last met in April 2015, when the sides drew 2-2 in the Championship.
• Derby have lost their last four league games on home soil – they last lost five consecutively in March 2011.
• The Rams have conceded eight goals in the Championship this season, only Wycombe (10) have shipped more so far.
• In 20 previous away league matches against Derby, Watford have never kept a single clean sheet, shipping 16 goals in their last five such visits.
• No side has kept more clean sheets in the Championship this season than Watford (3).
• Since his debut for Derby in January, Wayne Rooney (3) has scored more direct free-kick goals in the Championship than any other player (exc. play-offs).

This game may come too soon for Will Hughes and Andre Gray, according to Vladimir Ivić, who has also had several players away on international duty until recently. Étienne Capoue is available, having re-integrated into the main group last week. Tom Dele-Bashiru, Isaac Success and Adam Masina remain sidelined, while Stipe Perica is serving the final game of his three-match suspension.

Vladimir Ivić, Watford Head Coach:

“Wayne Rooney, everybody knows what he can do. In the last game he scored in the last minutes of the game. He's a dangerous player, a quality player, especially in the box.

“His movement and first touch is amazing. He's one of the best players to ever play in England. He will for sure be one of the dangerous players.

“They have other quality players too, not just Rooney. We will give our best to stop him and to stop other guys, and to give everything we can to win this game.”

Overall:

• Won 12, Drawn 13, Lost 17

Last Six:

• Apr 2015: Derby County 2-2 Watford (Championship)
• Nov 2014: Watford 1-2 Derby County (Championship)
• Apr 2014: Derby County 4-2 Watford (Championship)
• Oct 2013: Watford 2-3 Derby County (Championship)
• Dec 2013: Watford 2-1 Derby County (Championship)
• Sep 2012: Derby County 5-1 Watford (Championship)

Watford picked up a vital point and stole two away from promotion rivals Derby County when Odion Ighalo scored an unlikely equaliser at Pride Park in April 2015. Matěj Vydra gave the Hornets the lead but just before half-time Marco Motta was sent off and conceded a penalty, which Darren Bent converted. Tom Ince then put the hosts ahead midway through the second period and the game seemed lost until a delightful Adlène Guedioura pass found Ighalo, who tidily finished to salvage a draw.