If there is a Championship side which deserves to get an entry to the Premier League owing to what they have offered, then it’s Derby County. The Rams have been in and around the vicinity of getting the lucrative ticket, but have somehow failed to capitalise on them despite being a pretty consistent side. They have been in the hunt for the last three terms but have failed in all three attempts and with the nail-biting finish that is expected in the second tier this time around as well, Steve McLaren’s troops would fancy their chances.
Derby have 15 games of their 2016-17 season of Sky Bet Championship left, out of which they entertain seven sides at the Pride Park Stadium. They are currently placed 11th in the league table with 47 points from 31 outings and are 8 points adrift of Sheffield Wednesday who have cemented their position in the last play-off spot, i.e., sixth. On Tuesday, McLaren’s side will host Burton Albion in their backyard in what promises to be a sensational game.
The fixture was to be played on 28th January but was rescheduled after the Rams’ 2-1 defeat to West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup last weekend. Nonetheless, McLaren would be wary of the Brewers in a match that could be the impetus for Derby’s strong resurrection for the remainder of the after what has transpired for them lately. They succumbed to Cardiff City at home in a goal fest where 3-4 was the score line at the end of the game in favour of the Bluebirds. Prior to their loss, they were outclassed by Newcastle United and then, they shared points with Bristol City and these kinds of results have given a fierce blow as far as bagging a promotion spot is concerned.
Burton Albion are finding it hard to keep themselves from drowning and are flirting dangerously with the relegation zone. At home against an inferior quality side when compared to theirs, it is a massive opportunity for Derby to win back the lost confidence by picking all three points and restore the winning mentality which would be crucial in the business end of the season. They are a side with a solid foundation, and it is high time for them to turn the tides of times in their favour as a play-off spot isn’t impossible for them to achieve. This is a game they simply cannot afford to drop points in.
