Frank Lampard's Rams can end Sheffield United's good run

Sky Bet Championship
Sky Sports Football & Main Event, 5.30pm Saturday

Derby boss Frank Lampard has had a mixed start to his first season in management but his team are only a point outside the Sky Bet Championship playoffs and they can make a statement by beating highflying Sheffield United at Pride Park.

Lampard's side hit the headlines with their penalty shootout success over Manchester United at Old Trafford last month but they followed it up with some poor results in the league, losing 1-0 at Bolton and drawing at home to Norwich and away to QPR.

The two-week break gave Lampard a chance to re-assess and has helped to strengthen up the squad with key defender Curtis Davies (hamstring) and midfielder George Evans (knee) completing their recoveries.

Derby's squad looks as strong as it has been all season and two wingers, Tom Lawrence and Liverpool loanee Harry Wilson, should be feeling confident after playing important roles in Wales's impressive 1-0 success over Ireland in Dublin on Tuesday.

Wilson's free kick won the game for Wales and his progress led to speculation that Liverpool might try to recall him this winter. However, there is no break clause in his season-long deal.

Keeping Wilson in check will be a tricky challenge for Sheffield United, who reached the top of the Championship with a 1-0 victory at home to Hull before the international break.

The Blades have started the campaign in similar fashion to last season and their points tally of 25 is just one more than they had at the same stage of 2017-18.

Last season they were unable to keep up the good work and finished tenth, six points outside the playoffs.

There is a danger something similar could happen because their early-season schedule has not been too demanding.

Six of United's eight wins have come against teams in the bottom ten and they have faced just one of the top eight, when they lost 3-0 at Middlesbrough.

Confidence will be high after a four-match winning sequence but a tough test awaits against Derby, who look excellent value with the draw no bet.

Recommendation
Derby draw no bet
2pts 10-11 Betfred

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Derby
George Evans (knee) and Curtis Davies (hamstring) are back in contention but Joe Ledley (hip) misses out.

Sheffield United
Paul Coutts (broken leg) is closing in on his first start of the season after coming off the bench in each of the last two games. No fresh injuries are reported.

Key stat
Derby have lost only one of their last nine home games.

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