Derby County have managed to pull off some major upsets in the cup competitions as they defeated the likes of Manchester United in the Carabao Cup and went past Southampton in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Next up, they will take on Premier League opponents Brighton and Hove Albion in the fifth round of the FA Cup at the Falmer Stadium.
The Rams are looking to reach the quarter-final stage for the first time since the 1998-99 season. They have lost four times at this stage since then. Lampard’s men have managed to score all of their FA Cup goals in the second half, so they would look to cause an upset once again this weekend.
Team News: Experienced goalkeeper Scott Carson is set to miss out due to a thigh strain. Mason Mount is also a major doubt for the Rams. Jack Marriott should be close to returning, but it could be touch and go for the English striker.
Derby County Predicted Lineup Vs Brighton And Hove Albion
Formation (4-3-3)
Defence
With Carson being out with an injury, Kelle Roos is expected to start in goal. The custodian has filled in well for the veteran Englishman. The 32-year-old, Richard Keogh is likely to start in the centre back role. Fikayo Tomori is set to partner him at the back. Tomori has firmly established himself under Lampard and is one of the first names on the team sheet for the manager.
Jayden Bogle is going to play in the right-back role. The Rams signed the experienced Ashley Cole in January. However, Scott Malone has continued to be the first choice left back, and we don’t see Lampard budging from that ahead of this encounter.
Midfield
Former Hull City midfielder, Tom Huddlestone is expected to operate in a deeper role in midfield. He needs to be wary of someone like Pascal Gross who can create that telling moment in the final third for the home side. Duane Holmes can start in the left side of midfield in place of Mason Mount. Craig Bryson should be his other midfield partner. The box to box midfielder’s energy and tenacity is often key to this Derby lineup.
Attack
Harry Wilson is undoubtedly going to be the major threat for the Rams in the attacking third. He is set to start on the right. Brighton needs to make sure that they don’t give away cheap free-kicks in dangerous areas as Wilson has been impeccable in scoring free kicks this season.
Florian Jozefzonn can be tough to handle on his day, and he is likely to start from the right. Marriott might not be a hundred per cent yet. Therefore, we expect Martyn Waghorn to lead the line.
