Derby County Faces Sheffield Wednesday in the New Year’s Day Championship Clash
As we step into 2025, the excitement of a fresh football season continues to build, with Derby County set to face Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough for their first Sky Bet Championship fixture of the year. The match kicks off at 3:00 PM, and Derby fans will be hoping for a positive start after a tough end to 2024, where they were narrowly defeated 1-0 by Leeds United at Pride Park.
Derby’s manager, Paul Warne, has made two key changes to the starting lineup for this clash. Centre-back Sonny Bradley is back in the team, and so is Craig Forsyth, who will make his 23rd appearance of the season. These changes come after a disappointing defeat to Leeds, and Warne will be looking to get his side back on track. Unfortunately, Derby will be without Corey Blackett-Taylor and Joe Ward, who both sustained minor injuries during training. Despite this, the Rams will be hopeful of bringing home a positive result, especially with key players like Bradley and Forsyth returning to the fold.
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On the other hand, Sheffield Wednesday will be looking to extend their strong form as they host Derby. The Owls, led by captain Barry Bannan, are currently sitting mid-table and will be aiming for a spot in the playoffs by securing points in matches like these. Sheffield Wednesday’s lineup includes the experienced Beadle in goal, while Iorfa and Chalobah will form a solid defensive partnership. The team also boasts several attacking options, including Ugbo and Gassama, who will look to break down Derby's defense.
Derby County's defensive unit, although solid at times, has shown vulnerability, particularly when defending set-pieces. The Rams have been highly effective at scoring from dead-ball situations this season, with 12 goals from set-pieces, and they will be looking to exploit Sheffield Wednesday's weakness in this area. No team has conceded more goals from set-pieces than the Owls, and this could be a crucial aspect of the match for Derby.
In terms of personnel, Derby will be relying on their centre-backs, Nathaniel Phillips and Curtis Nelson, to add a physical presence in the attacking third. Both players have been a threat from set-pieces this season, with Nelson scoring twice already and Phillips managing to find the target in recent games. Given the current form of both sides, Derby’s ability to capitalize on set-piece opportunities could be a deciding factor in this match.
As the Rams travel to Hillsborough, they will be aiming to start the New Year with a vital three points. Warne's men need to make the most of games like this if they are to secure a playoff position come the end of the season. While Sheffield Wednesday will undoubtedly pose a challenge, Derby's recent form, combined with their ability to score from set-pieces, gives them a real chance to get a result. With both teams desperate for points, this promises to be an exciting and tightly contested encounter.
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