Derby - Stoke

Derby County enter matchday 11 seeking to arrest a difficult slide, having struggled to find consistency in recent weeks. Their latest outing resulted in a heavy defeat to Queens Park Rangers, compounding a winless run that has left them searching for defensive stability. Meanwhile, Stoke City arrive at Pride Park following a narrow defeat to Middlesbrough, a result that interrupted an otherwise productive spell of form. The visitors had previously strung together a series of positive results, including victories over Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield United, demonstrating a capacity to secure points on the road.

As the two sides meet on 17 October 2026, the focus shifts to how they respond to their respective challenges. Derby County will hope the expected XI, featuring Carlton Morris and Sammie Szmodics, can spark a revival despite the absences of Sondre Klingen Langaas, Charlie Taylor, and Jacob Widell Zetterstroem. Stoke City look to bounce back quickly, relying on the midfield presence of Jun-Ho Bae and Jack McGlynn to dictate the tempo. With their last competitive encounter ending in a 2-0 victory for Derby County in April, the hosts will aim to replicate that success and climb the table.