Derby County play their first home league game of the season this weekend.
Derby County welcome Middlesbrough to Pride Park on Saturday, for a midday kick off in the Championship.
Paul Warne’s side got off to a losing start to their 2024/25 season against Blackburn Rovers last Friday.
Derby County lost 4-2 at Blackburn Rovers, leaving them in 18th place of the Championship table going into the next round of fixtures.
In midweek, Derby County beat Chesterfield in the Carabao Cup, with Warne making several changes to his XI and resting the likes of Ben Osborn and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.
Their next opponents Middlesbrough got of to a winning start last weekend, beating Swansea City 1-0 at home, then thumping Leeds United 3-0 in the Carabao Cup in midweek.
Boro promises to be another very tough game for Warne’s side, though the Rams will have an extra day’s rest over Michael Carrick’s men.
David Prutton score prediction for Derby County vs Middlesbrough
Speaking on Sky Sports Championship Predictions ahead of the weekend, Prutton spoke fondly of Middlesbrough and their chances of promotion under Carrick this season.
But Prutton didn’t speak so fondly of Derby County following their opening day ‘eye-opener’ vs Blackburn Rovers.
Prutton said of the Rams’ defeat at Ewood Park: “Maybe a bit of an eye-opener.
“I think the score maybe flattered Blackburn, only a little bit, because they had some very good counter-attacking play.
“For Derby, maybe it’s a good little dig on the chin early doors, to say ‘this is what the Championship is like, let’s make sure that we’re ready for the next one’.”
Prutton predicts a 2-1 Middlesbrough win.
- READ MORE: Liam Thompson blown away by one Derby County teammate who ‘battled hard’ in Chesterfield win
Paul Warne must be ready for true test of Derby County mettle
Like Prutton suggests, the opening day defeat vs Blackburn can be taken as a bit of a one-off.
It’s a return to the Championship following promotion from League One, and with a new-look first-team squad, so Warne may give his players a bit of leeway there.
But back at Pride Park and having now had a couple of games this season, Derby County must do much better against Middlesbrough; mainly, they must defend a lot better.
The Rams were too easily cut open against Blackburn, though Warne can take solace from the fact that his side scored twice on the road.
Warne and his players must also take advantage of every set-piece, with Derby looking like they could be a real threat from set plays this season.