Phillip Cocu will be hoping his side can make it four home wins on the bounce as they host Jonathan Woodgate’s Middlesbrough at Pride Park.
The Opposition
Middlesbrough come into the game in the last relegation place, 22nd, and six points behind the Rams in 16th. New boss Woodgate has struggled to get his side going so far and find themselves without a win in the last five.
Woodgate has set Middlesbrough up in several different systems but has most commonly opted for a 4-3-3 or a 4-1-4-1 in over half of their matches in the Championship.
The Boro have enjoyed the majority of possession in their games this season but suffer at the back where they average an xG against of 1.4.
Previous Meetings
The Rams met Middlesbrough twice in the league last season, both games ending in a 1-1 draw. The first game came in October, where both sides scored through own goals.
The opener, a George Friend own goal, and the equaliser was a late Jayden Bogle misdirected clearance.
The second was on New Years Day, where Harry Wilson opened the scoring just two minutes in before Jordan Hugill pegged the Rams back midway through the second half.
Team News
Phillip Cocu has been handed a boost in the form of George Evans coming back from a two-month knee injury, giving the Dutchman another option in both the midfield and at Centre-back.
Middlesbrough will be without ‘keeper Darren Randolph due to a thigh injury, whilst captain George Friend is still a long-term injury for the time being.
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