Derby County-Match preview

Early Team News

The Golden Boys are expected to be a full strength apart from the suspended Darius Henderson, and long term absentee, Dominic Blizzard.

Henderson serves the last of a three match ban picked up for a red card indiscretion at Leeds United, while Blizzard made his comeback from a debilitating virus in the reserves at Coventry City in midweek as he attempts to regain full match fitness.

Derby County meanwhile are expected to travel to Hertfordshire without injured trio Richard Jackson, Paul Boertien, and Mounir El Hamdaoui.

Paul Peschisolido may also miss out after injuring an abductor muscle in training on Thursday.

One Ram expected to figure however is 17-year-old Lewis Nyatanga, who became the youngest ever player to represent Wales on Wednesday evening in the goalless draw with Paraguay.

History of the Watford v Derby County fixture

Historically, the Golden Boys hold the advantage on previous meetings between the two clubs.

Of the 14 games played, Watford has recorded five wins, while Derby County have won three times.

The most recent Championship encounter between these two sides at Vicarage Road Stadium was last season, in November 2004, where the two teams cancelled each other out in an enthralling 2-2 draw.

For a detailed analysis of the head-to-head between the two sides, click here

Recent respective form guides

Watford remain just outside the automatic promotion places in third spot, having taken 67 points from 36 games played and will be looking to gain a ninth Championship success in their last ten matches.

The Golden Boys remain in reasonably good shape at home having won four and lost two from the last six played,, one of these losses coming against Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup. During this spell 12 goals have been scored by Aidy Boothroyd’s men with only 7 conceded.

Meanwhile, Derby County arrive in a lowly 19th place in the Coca Cola Championship table having mustered just 38 points from their 36 matches played.

A disappointing first half of the campaign hastened the departure of manager, Phil Brown in early January, and Terry Westley was initially placed in temporary charge.

This was recently extended until the end of the season and Westley celebrated the announcement by guiding his men to a first first victory in eight matches last weekend, an early Adam Bolder goal proving enough to defeat Plymouth Argyle at Pride Park.

The Rams away form has remained pretty dire though, and the Derbyshire outfit has managed a paltry two draws from their last six matches with only five goals scored and 15 having been conceded.

For a detailed analysis of team form guides throughout the leagues, click here

FootyMad's prediction ...

With the Hornets being in decent shape at home at the moment, I am pleased to predict that this match should result in nothing other than a comfortable home win. Home Win