Derby County face Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.
The Rams head into the clash coming off the back of five straight defeats. Confidence is low, and all eyes will be on Sheffield Wednesday’s early kick-off against Nottingham Forest.
Derby will have a better understanding of the relegation picture. Regardless, equalling Wednesday’s result will relegate the Owls before the final day clash at Pride Park.
Wayne Rooney has taken his side to Wales early in a bid to improve morale, and they face a Swansea side who might make changes after already securing a playoff spot.
Here is how we believe Derby will line up:
Derby moved to a back three against Birmingham City, but the Rams should go back to a 4-4-2 system which saw them produce their best football during a tough period.
Andre Wisdom is likely to still be out meaning George Edmundson keeps his place, while Lee Buchanan could come back in for Craig Forsyth at left-back.
Kamil Jozwiak and Patrick Roberts were both late substitutes against Birmingham. Assuming both are now fully fit, they must start the game against Swansea.
Swansea like to get the ball down and play. It isn’t likely to be a direct, physical game so Derby may get some joy by playing with a more mobile frontline to press higher up the pitch.
Colin Kazim-Richards is Derby’s leading scorer with eight goals this season, but this may be an ideal game to play Tom Lawrence more centrally alongside Martyn Waghorn.
Derby can’t afford to play with the handbrake on. Wayne Rooney’s side must be brave, and the last time they took the game to Swansea they claimed all three points.
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