The Rams are hoping to extend their lengthy unbeaten streak and take command in Group A of the Premier League Under-18 Cup when they host Everton on Saturday (kick-off 12pm).
Rory Delap and Justin Walker’s team have drawn both of their opening Premier League Cup matches, both 1-1, against Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion.
This leaves Derby currently in second position with two points and the two teams The Rams have faced below them with just the one point each, whilst Everton are comfortably top with six points from six so far.
The top two teams in each group are guaranteed to advance to the next round, so a win against the group leaders would put Derby in an excellent position to do so.
It has been a strong season for The Rams, only tasting defeat once against Manchester United (2-0) in September and have since embarked on an eight-match unbeaten run.
Such form puts Derby in 5th position in Premier League-North with 17 points from 10 matches – just five points away from league leaders Manchester City.
Saturday’s opponents in Everton have also been one of the division’s most impressive teams, winning their last five consecutive fixtures – including handing Manchester City their only league defeat of the term.
Derby will be hoping that either of their assets can come to the forefront to see of The Toffees’ challenge; they have the joint-second best defence in the league (only Liverpool have conceded less) but have also been on fire in front of goal – scoring 17 goals in the last six matches.
Last time out Walker and Delap’s boys battled back from a two-goal deficit to earn a point at Newcastle United (courtesy of a Jason Knight free-kick and an own goal from The Magpies after a Callum Minkley cross), prompting praise from the manager on the strength of character to come back.
More of the same will be needed against one of the finest teams in the country come Saturday.
Words by Jools Jordan-Probert
