- Stoke have 4 wins and 1 draw from their last 5 matches in all competitions, on a 3-match winning streak.
- Derby have 2 draws and 3 defeats from their last 5, but they have stopped the rot with back-to-back draws.
- Derby are 23rd in the Championship 2026/2027 (6 points from 9 games), while Stoke are flying high in 4th (16 points from 9).
Stoke can nick it at Pride Park
Derby County have looked more positive since John Eustace took charge in the Championship 2026/2027, but Stoke have that certain something that could help them nick it at Pride Park on Saturday. Eustace has his Rams pressing high and playing on the break, which could make for a lively game, but that also leaves plenty of space for the Potters to play into.
Stoke will try to keep the pace up and create turnovers, but Mark Robins' side have the tactical flexibility and the players to vary their approach if needed, which could be the difference on Saturday. The Potters have won four and drawn one of their last five matches, arriving at Derby on the back of a three-game winning streak in which they edged out fellow promotion-chasing sides Sheffield United and Bolton Wanderers.
The Rams have drawn their last two - 1-1 at Burnley and 1-1 at home to Wrexham - and do look a more functional unit under Eustace, but 6 points from 9 matches is nowhere near good enough for a side with ambitions of reaching the play-offs. In fact, Derby are 23rd in the Championship 2026/2027 and quickly running out of time to turn things around.
Galbraith gives the edge to Stoke
Backing Stoke in the double chance or draw no bet market makes the most sense here, given their superior form and league position, even if Derby are the slight favourites at around 7/5 ahead of Stoke at 187/100 and the draw at 9/4.
Eustace has Derby set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where they have been pressing proactively. They are at their best when the pace is high and the counter is on.
Robins has Stoke operating from a 4-2-3-1 base, but he is comfortable switching to a back three to tighten the central lanes and control space.
Bobby Clark leads the way for Derby with 2 goals in 8 Championship 2026/2027 games while Ethan Galbraith has 3 for Stoke, also from 8. Clark has been the spark that sets Derby alight in the final third, but Stoke have the more reliable output and Galbraith has been the key man in Robins' system.
Stoke are coming into this on the ascendancy and it should be a close game. Derby beat them 2-0 in their Championship 2025/2026 meeting 6 months ago, but Stoke have failed to win in their last 3 away games to Pride Park.
