Derby County play their first home league match of the season on Saturday.
Derby County have endured a mixed start to the 2024/25 season so far.
The Rams started their campaign away at Ewood Park but lost 4-2 vs Blackburn Rovers, in what was something of an eye-opener for fans.
Paul Warne’s side then beat Chesterfield in the Carabao Cup after coming from behind.
Middlesbrough visit Pride Park this weekend. Michel Carrick’s side won their opening game of the season vs Swansea City, then thumping Leeds United 3-0 in the Carabao Cup.
Ahead of the weekend, Derby County have signed Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, though he doesn’t look set to play against Boro.
Derby County team and injury news vs Middlesbrough
Speaking ahead of the weekend, Warne revealed that Derby County summer signing Ebou Adams had trained, but didn’t say whether or not he’d feature this weekend.
Corey Blackett-Taylor wasn’t in training however, as he recovers from a quad injury.
Elsewhere, the likes of Joe Ward and Jake Rooney remain longer-term absentees for the Rams, with Jerry Yates suspended for one more game.
Derby County predicted XI vs Middlesbrough
After the Blackburn game, Warne has some thinking to do, and one change he might make to his XI is reinstating Craig Forsyth.
The 35-year-old Rams veteran started against Chesterfield and shone on the left, and his experience could prove vital against a rampant Middlesbrough side.
Elsewhere, loan man David Ozoh has faced criticism online but looks set to keep his place in the absence of Adams.
Warne could play Kenzo Goudmijn higher up the pitch in a bid to give Derby County more attacking flair, but that might force a change in formation; to a 4-2-3-1 instead of the 4-3-3 we saw on the opening day.
However, expect Warne to not make too many drastic changes erly doors, especially in his first league fixture at home.
Here’s how we think Derby County will line up vs Middlesbrough, with kick off at 12:30pm on Saturday…
(4-3-3)
Vickers (GK)
Forsyth
Cashin
Nelson
Wilson
Osborn
Ozoh
Goudmijn
Mendez-Laing
Jackson
Barkhuizen