Derby County - Match Preview

[Jase 43,479]

The Match

Chelsea travel to Pride Park on Sunday to face Derby County with the game set to kick off at 2.15pm UK time in the FA Cup third round. The last time these two sides face each other was in the Premier League in the 2007/08 season in which the Blues came out on top in the two league games. However, one would have to go further back before the Premier League began in 1988 when the Rams last went head-to-head with the Londoners in the FA Cup and incidentally, the clash then took place in the third round at Pride Park which was won 3-1 by the Blues.

Similarly, the game will also represent the first time since 2006 Jose Mourinho faces his English counterpart in Steve McClaren during his previous stint as Blues manager and when the former England coach was managing Middlesbrough. The Portuguese has won 3 of the 4 meetings between the pair but will no doubt still have in mind the 3-0 hammering he suffered last time out – his second heaviest defeat as manager and the heaviest experienced in England.

Derby head into this game in decent form having won 10 of their 14 league matches under McClaren – who replaced Nigel Clough in late September following a dismal start to the season – including 8 in the last 10 – before losing to Wigan on New Year - which has propelled them from mid-table into one of the promotion play-off spots they currently occupy.

Lined up in a 4-3-3, the host has a tendency to dominate possession in their games as they boast an average of 54.6% - the third highest in the Championship – and preferring to attack down the flanks primarily down the left side as 43% of their attacks have come on that flank compare to 33% on the opposite side and just a mere 25% down the middle (statistics obtained from Whoscored.com).

Chelsea are also in good form coming into the game having 7 of their last 10 matches in all competitions and after the initial struggles and unconvincing performances, the Blues have appeared to hit their stride over the festive period after producing – arguably – their most impressive displays of the season against Liverpool and Southampton while also picking up a point at the Emirates against league leaders Arsenal. The trio of Eden Hazard, Oscar and Willian have been crucial recently with the combination of attacking and defensive play resulting in the oppositions being unable to find solutions to stop them.

If the Blues are to claim their eighth FA Cup success this season, they cannot afford to underestimate Derby as last season’s struggle against lowly Brentford in the same competition will serve as a reminder of David nearly overcoming Goliath.

Past 5 Meetings – all in Premier League (P5 W4 D1 F15 A3 CS2)

12th March 2008 – Chelsea 6-1 Derby County

24th November 2007 – Derby County 0-2 Chelsea

30th March 2002 – Chelsea 2-1 Derby County

28th October 2001 – Derby County 1-1 Chelsea

7th April 2001 – Derby County 0-4 Chelsea

Team News

Derby County

Steve McClaren will be without striker Johnny Russell after he suffered a fractured cheekbone against Wigan three days ago while midfielder Craig Bryson is a doubt after picking up a calf injury in the same aforementioned game.

Provisional Squad: Lee Grant, Adam Legzdines, Jake Buxton, Richard Keogh, Craig Forsyth, Zak Whitbread, Kieran Freeman, Adam Smith, Andre Wisdom, Michael Keane, Jamie Ward, Will Hughes, Simon Dawkins, John Eustace, Jeff Hendrick, Johnny Russell, Paul Coutts, Kalifa Cisse, Ben Davies, Conor Sammon, Chris Martin and Mason Bennett

Chelsea

Jose Mourinho spoke yesterday in his press conference fondly of the FA Cup - he won the competition with the Blues in his last FA Cup match - and on selecting a strong side – particularly with the next game a week away – he will have David Luiz back available for selection after being suspended against Southampton while left back Ryan Bertrand is back following a recovery from a knee injury. Despite that, the manager will be missing both Frank Lampard and Branislav Ivanovic as the two are expected to miss the rest of matches in January following injuries picked up against Liverpool last Sunday.

Provisional Squad: Petr Cech, Mark Schwarzer, Cesar Azpilicueta, John Terry, David Luiz, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Ryan Bertrand, John Obi Mikel, Michael Essien, Ramires, Andre Schurrle, Oscar, Juan Mata, Willian, Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba

Stats and Facts

1. Chelsea have faced Derby County 104 times in history in all competitions and the latter boast a better record in wins and goals scored - 38 to 37 and 153 to 152 respectively.

2. Excluding replays and semi finals, this will be the 9th consecutive away game for Chelsea in domestic cup competitions. The last time the Blues played a game at Stamford Bridge was against Manchester United in the Capital One Cup in October 2012.

3. This is the seventh FA Cup meeting between Derby and Chelsea. Each team has won twice and there have been two draws. (via BBC)

4. Overall in cup competitions, Chelsea have won 3, drawn 4 and lost 3 of 10 meetings with Derby County.

5. Derby County are the highest goalscorers in the Championship with 48 goals in 24 games but have conceded 30 goals - the highest in the top 14.

6. Chelsea have scored 38 goals in 20 Premier League - fourth highest - and boast the second meanest defence - Arsenal (18) having conceded just 19 goals.

7. Derby were FA Cup winners for the only time in 1946. Chelsea have won the competition seven times, with all seven of their FA Cup victories coming between 1970 and 2012. (via BBC)

Match Odds (Final Result/Full Time)

Derby WIN - 13/2

DRAW - 100/30

Chelsea WIN - 4/9

*Odds obtained from SkyBet*

TV

Depending on where you are from, you can watch the match in the following channels:

United Kingdom: BT Sport 1

United States: FOX Sports 1, FOX Soccer 2Go, FOX Deportes

Middle East: Al Jazeera Sports

Belgium: Sporting 1

Brazil: ESPN Brasil

India: Star Sports 4 India

For additional regions, you can check out the TV schedule for the match here.

There should be many match streams that can be found online if your local sports channels are not broadcasting the game or if you happen to be busy and cannot catch the game live, follow TalkChelsea on Twitter as it would provide live match commentary on the action.

Click here to view the article

[Jase 43,479]

*bump*

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Uh-oh. Jason doing the preview

[Jase 43,479]

Uh-oh. Jason doing the preview

Record now stands at P6 W2 D2 L2. Something has got to give today.

[Stingray 9,441]

Uh-oh. Jason doing the preview

Ow no , any cats in there?