Derby v Wolves preview
Friday 11 August 2017 14:03, UK
Matej Vydra is an injury doubt for Derby as they prepare to get their home Championship campaign under way against Wolves.
The forward tweaked a hamstring in training on Monday and missed the EFL Cup tie at Grimsby the following day. Rams boss Gary Rowett does not think the problem is serious but Vydra is "touch and go" for the weekend.
Rowett made eight changes at Blundell Park but the cup clash was abandoned after only 19 minutes due to adverse weather conditions. Tom Huddlestone, Bradley Johnson (ankle) and Craig Bryson (hamstring) were all rested as they were nursing knocks following the league game at Sunderland.
Nick Blackman (thigh) is fit again but is unlikely to be involved while George Thorne (hamstring), Jason Shackell (back) and Max Lowe (abdomen) continue their recoveries.
Wolves midfielder Ivan Cavaleiro could return for the first time since being sent off at Pride Park last season. The 23-year-old missed the final game of last campaign and has been forced to sit out the first two of the new one through suspension as a result of his red card following a clash with Bradley Johnson in a 3-1 defeat by the Rams on April 29.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo made nine changes for Tuesday night's 1-0 Carabao Cup victory over Yeovil, with only defender Willy Boly and striker Leo Bonatini retaining their places after an opening day victory over relegated Middlesbrough.
Striker Nouha Dicko, who scored the only goal against the Glovers, will hope for further action, but Helder Costa (ankle), Phil Ofosu-Ayeh and Ben Marshall (hip) remain on the sidelines.
Opta stats
The Rams have won each of their last three home league games against Wolves, racking up 12 goals at an average of four per game, with eight of those goals coming in the first half.
Last season Wolves lost both league games against Derby for the first time since 1992-93, they haven't lost three games in a row since November 1991.
Chris Martin has scored more league goals than any other player in the previous three Championship seasons (43, inc. play-offs).
Wolves' last four Championship wins have all come by a single goal to nil, including their opening day victory against Middlesbrough.
The Rams have lost only once in their last 18 league games at Pride Park (W11 D6 L1).
Wolves lost their last away game in the Championship - 1-3 versus Derby at Pride Park in April. However, the Black Country side have netted in nine of their last 10 away league games.
Prutton's prediction
An intriguing one this. Wolves got off to a great start at Middlesbrough last week and also got a win in midweek. With the way they play they should give Derby plenty of food for thought.
Gary Rowett, meanwhile, has a very powerful team with plenty of strength in depth, and I can't split these two at Pride Park. I'm going for a high-scoring draw.
Prutton predicts: 2-2 (9/2 with Sky Bet)
