EFL Championship | Gameweek 43

Apr 18, 2025 at 12.30pm UK

Pride Park Stadium

Derby vs Luton Town

Match preview

Having won promotion to the top flight for the 2023-24 season after finishing second in the third tier, Derby County are fighting hard to avoid an immediate return to that level, with the East Midlands side having lost just one of their last seven Championship games.

However, the Rams extended their winless run in the division to a worrying three games on Saturday afternoon, as Rob Atkinson's strikes for Portsmouth twice pegged them back at Fratton Park, with the visitors and Pompey eventually settling for a share of the spoils.

One positive from the south coast clash was that Derby striker Jerry Yates netted his ninth Championship goal of the 2024-25 season, with the 28-year-old on course to equal his all-time best tally in the second tier (14 for Blackpool in 2022-23).

Having taken just two points from their last three games in the second tier, the Rams have slipped to 21st in the Championship table with four games remaining, one point and one place above Cardiff City in the highest of the relegation places.

Having left a potential play-off push at Ewood Park in February, John Eustace has endured a mixed start to his reign as Derby boss at Pride Park, with the 45-year-old winning four, drawing two and losing two of his opening 10 games as he attempts to avoid a first relegation on his CV.

Luton Town, who finished just six points behind Nottingham Forest in the Premier League last season, have suffered a historic fall from grace and face the distinct possibility of consecutive relegations - a fate that would see them languish in League One next season.

With just 37 goals scored in 42 games in the second tier, the Hatters have the worst attacking record in the Championship and their attacking woes reared their ugly head again last weekend when a second-half strike from Yuki Ohashi was enough for Blackburn to claim maximum points at Kenilworth Road.

The defeat to the Lancashire outfit ended a five-match unbeaten run in the second tier and leaves Luton in 23rd place in the Championship, three points adrift of safety, with just 12 points to go before all clubs find out their fate at the end of the season.

Unsurprisingly for a relegation-threatened side, the Hatters have been woeful on the road this season - taking just 12 points from 21 outings - but both of Luton's recent victories have come away from Kenilworth Road, with Friday's visitors winning at Cardiff and at Hull City in March.

Parachuted in from promotion-chasing Wycombe Wanderers in January, Matt Bloomfield has taken on the role of firefighter in the midst of a fierce relegation battle in Bedfordshire, where the former Colchester United boss has won just three of his 16 games in charge.

Recent Performance

Derby County Championship form:WWWLDD

Luton Town Championship form:WDWDDL

Team News

Derby have a number of players out for the rest of the season, including Curtis Nelson (knee), David Ozoh (thigh) and Dajaune Brown (hamstring).

The Rams, who face one of the worst forward lines in the Championship, could also be without left-back Callum Elder, who picked up a knock at the start of April.

Eustace's options at the back are further restricted by the absence of right-back Ryan Nyambe, who recently picked up a hamstring strain.

Luton have been without the leadership of club captain Tom Lockyer this season, leaving Carlton Morris to lead from the front.

Alfie Doughty (muscle) and Elijah Adebayo (knee), both big hitters in the Premier League last season, are currently occupying places in the Hatters' medical room.

Possible starting lineup

Derby County possible starting lineup:

Zetterstrom; Langas, Phillips, Clarke; Wilson, Adams, Armstrong, Forsyth; Yates, Mendez-Laing, Harness

Luton Town possible starting lineup:

Kaminski; Burke, Mengi, Bell; Jones, Walsh, Clark, Aasgaard, Alli; Chong, Morris