3/1 To Win
Derby County’s 2017/18 Sky Bet Championship fixture list was revealed this morning – and we’ve taken a look at some key points.
Full 2017/18 Fixture List
Derby County’s entire 2017/18 Sky Bet Championship fixture list can be viewed on the Fixture List section of dcfc.co.uk here: dcfc.co.uk/fixtures
Away Day Start
Derby will kick off the campaign on the road for just the second time in seven seasons when they head to Sunderland on Friday 4th August. Their only previous away game since 2011 on the opening day was in 2015/16 when the Rams drew 0-0 at Bolton Wanderers.
Newcomers Up Early
Gary Rowett’s side will face three of the Championship’s newcomers away from home in the opening month of the season. After kicking off the season at Sunderland, following their relegation from the Premier League, Derby will then head to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday 19th August and then Sheffield United on Saturday 26th August.
Under The Pride Park Floodlights
Derby have been handed four home midweek fixtures under the Pride Park Stadium floodlights, although this could be subject to change with fixture changes/re-arrangements further down the line.
The four games to date are Preston North End (Tuesday 15th August), Ipswich Town (Tuesday 12th September), Queens Park Rangers (Tuesday 21st November) and Leeds United (Tuesday 20th February).
Back-To-Back Home & Away
Derby will play two home fixtures in a row on six occasions during the season, as well as playing a back-to-back away games six times.
Potential Changes
Should Derby enjoy a run in the Emirates FA Cup, it would mean some league fixtures will need to be rearranged. They are the away match at Millwall on Saturday 27th January, the trip to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday 17th February, the home game against Cardiff City on Saturday 17th March and, finally, the home fixture against Middlesbrough on Saturday 21st April.
TV Games
Sky Sports will announce their live television selections for the Sky Bet Championship in due course. Should any Derby County matches be selected, details will be confirmed right here on dcfc.co.uk as soon as possible.
International Breaks
As normal, there are four international breaks during the season. The first is inbetween the away game at Sheffield United on Saturday 26th August and the home clash with Hull City on Saturday 9th September, the second falls between the away fixture at Cardiff City on Saturday 30th September and the local derby at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday 14th October, whilst the third is inbetween the home encounter with Reading on Saturday 4th November and the trip to Fulham on Saturday 18th November. The last international break comes into play following the home game with Cardiff City on Saturday 17th March, with the Rams returning to action against Sunderland at Pride Park Stadium on Saturday 31st March.
Festive Fixtures
Christmas will prove to be a busy time for all Championship clubs and Derby have four matches crammed into the festive programme. They will face Millwall at Pride Park Stadium on Saturday 23rd December, before playing successive away games at Hull City on Tuesday 26th December for the annual Boxing Day fixture and then a visit to Ipswich Town on Saturday 30th December. Derby will then kick off 2018 with a New Year’s Day clash against Sheffield United on home turf on Monday 1st January.
Easter Fixtures
Derby will be in action over the Easter period following the final international break of the season, welcoming Sunderland to Pride Park on Saturday 31st March before heading to Preston North End on Easter Monday (Monday 2nd April).
Birthday Fixtures
A number of Derby’s squad and management staff will be in action on their birthday this year.
30th September Vs Cardiff City (A), Cyrus Christie
4th November Vs Reading (H), Chris Martin
20th February Vs Leeds United (H), Abdoul Camara
24th February Vs Reading (A), Craig Forysth
6th March Vs Queens Park Rangers (A), Gary Rowett
28th April Vs Aston Villa (A), Bradley Johnson
Subject To Change
Remember, it is a draft fixture list and all matches are subject to change. Clubs now have a period of time to discuss fixtures with each other and make any possible amendments.
