3/1 To Win
Derby County are back in Emirates FA Cup action on Friday evening when they head down the M1 to take on Sky Bet League 2 side Northampton Town in the Fourth Round of the competition (8pm kick-off).
Phillip Cocu’s side will take on Keith Curle's in-form side knowing that a victory will see them in the FIfth Round of the FA Cup for the second season in a row, while the Rams will also be looking to continue their unbeaten run in all competitions which currently stands at six matches.
dcfc.co.uk has gathered all the information you will need ahead of the game.
TEAM NEWS…
Manager Phillip Cocu has no fresh injury concerns ahead of Derby’s clash with the Cobblers.
Striker Jack Marriott is expected to return to the squad after missing the Rams’ recent matches with a minor muscle problem.
The frontman has trained this week and is in line to return to the matchday squad.
Midfielder Graeme Shinnie could also make his comeback in the game after two months out with a hamstring injury.
The Scotsman has been training since the beginning of last week and despite a minor sickness bug earlier in the week he is in line to return to the fold.
Cocu could shuffle his pack and make some changes with the Rams facing a busy week of Sky Bet Championship action next week with clashes against Luton Town and Stoke City.
Krystian Bielik (knee), George Evans (calf) and Mason Bennett (ankle) remain sidelined although Evans and Bennett are making good progress in their rehabilitation work.
WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY…
Speaking to RamsTV ahead of the clash with the Cobblers, manager Phillip Cocu said: “We don’t have a doubt that their motivation will be sky high.
“That is normal. We have to prepare for it and it will definitely be a difficult game.
“The game style that they play is quite tricky and not easy to play against, so we have to really step up and show we have ambition to go on in the tournament.
“We will push hard to get the positive result that we all want. Northampton are doing well in their league, they will feel good to play a big game against us so it will be difficult.”
He added: “We want to keep the momentum we’ve built up because everyone feels better with a positive energy in training, in games and everywhere.
“If you work hard to get it then you have to make sure you keep it. That is one more reason to give an excellent performance in this game.”
More pre-match comments from
the Derby boss ahead of Friday's game can be found across dcfc.co.uk and
also on RamsTV..
TICKET INFORMATION…
Derby wlll be supported by a packed-out away section after selling out their entire ticket allocation last week.
Derby were allocated 1,437 tickets for the cup clash, however, the allocation of tickets quickly sold out after going on sale.
To become an Away Membership Holder for the 2019/20 campaign and ensure you are in line to purchase away tickets first, visit: dcfc.co.uk/toptix/memberships.
If you qualify for the Away Membership Holder (8+ away games) or Away Membership Holder only priority windows, and would like to be added to the waiting list, please call 0871 472 1884 (option 1) *, email [email protected], or visit the club’s Ticket Office in person.
* Calls cost 13p per minute, plus your phone company's access charge.
WHO’S THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…
Darren England will take charge of Friday evening's cup tie.
He has handed out 51 yellow cards from his 20 games across all competitions this season to date, while he is yet to produce a red card in the current campagin to date.
Friday's cup clash will be England's third Derby game of the season, having previously taken charge of the 1-1 draw at home to Cardiff City in September and the 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest in November.
He will be assisted by Mark Scholes and Carl Fitch-Jackson on the lines, whilst Darren Drysdale has been appointed as the fourth official.
There will be NO use of VAR in this cup tie.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION…
Due to Emirates FA Cup broadcasting regulations RamsTV will not be able to broadcast a live video stream the game, although a live audio feed with commentary of the game will be available to all RamsTV subscribers.
RamsTV will be LIVE on Facebook from 5pm on Friday with ‘The Warm Up’ as Owen Bradley is joined by former Rams defender Marc Edworthy to help preview the game.
They will also be LIVE on Facebook again after the game with ‘Added Time’ to bring you all the reaction from the clash with the Cobblers, including interviews from manager Phillip Cocu and his squad.
Fans can catch up with all the action from midday on Saturday when full highlights of the match will be available on dcfc.co.uk and Derby County’s official YouTube Channel. UK-based subscribers will also be able to watch a full match recording.
