Derby County are set to face off with Sheffield United in a Championship clash on Saturday.
Paul Warne will take his first-team squad to Bramall Lane for a meeting with Chris Wilder’s Blades on September 21st.
The Rams have had a superb start to life back in the second tier, currently sitting eighth in the Championship table after five fixtures.
| Position | Team | PlayedMP | WonW | DrawnD | LostL | ForGF | AgainstGA | DiffGD | PointsPts |
| 6 |  Sheff UtdSheffield Utd | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 9 |
| 7 |  Oxford UnitedOxford United | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 9 |
| 8 | DerbyDerby | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 9 |
| 9 |  LeedsLeeds | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 8 |
| 10 |  MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 8 |
Derby County beat Cardiff City 2-0 in their last league outing, making it three wins in a row at Pride Park this season.
However, despite already facing one of the promotion favourites in Middlesbrough, this weekend’s clash is expected to prove the toughest test of the season so far for the Derbyshire outfit.
Sheffield United are yet to lose a league game in 2024/25, winning three and drawing two of their opening five matches.
Had they not suffered a points deduction ahead of this season, Chris Wilder’s men would be joint-third and two points off top spot.
- READ MORE: Derby County rank alongside Man City as one of four teams with remarkable record since 2022/23
Andrew Madley to referee Sheffield United vs Derby County
The EFL have now released the list of referees, assistants and fourth officials who will take charge of the latest round of Championship fixtures.
For Derby’s meeting with Sheffield United, Andrew Madley will referee with Constantine Hatzidakis and Richard West his assistants, and Scott Simpson the fourth official.
Derby fans will be well aware of the often questionable officiating that takes place in the Championship.
And while they will be hoping Madley does a good job for their clash with Sheffield United, the referee has been involved in some controversy previously.
West Ham United travelled to Chelsea on September 3rd, 2022, for a Premier League clash.
The Hammers lost the tie 2-1 with Madley ruling out a goal for the East London outfit during the tie.
This caught the ire of then West Ham man Declan Rice, who branded the decision an ‘an absolute disgrace’ in a post-match interview with Match of the Day.
- READ MORE: ‘Brilliant’ £1m player will be gutted he didn’t join Derby County after playing just 32 minutes
Derby County must end unwanted run vs Sheffield United
How Madley performs on Saturday is unlikely to have too much bearing on the result, especially given Derby’s struggles on the road.
Warne guided the Rams back into the Championship thanks to a solid defensive record and being excellent at home.
That home form has continued into 2024/25 but Derby’s record on the road will no doubt concern the former Rotherham United boss.
Derby lost 4-2 to Blackburn Rovers on the opening day and were then beaten 2-1 by Watford at Vicarage Road last month.
Both teams have started 2024/25 well but with several tough away fixtures on the horizon, Warne must get his side performing better when they are away from home.
After taking on an unbeaten Sheffield United, Derby face away trips to second-place Sunderland and a Millwall side who have scored four and conceded none in their last three league matches.
Should Derby lose both of those games, it could see them move down the table and begin flirting with relegation, especially if they start to drop points at home.