This Week's Opposition: Derby County

The opponents for Portsmouth in the Championship this weekend are picked apart by Kirsty Roxanne.

With mere seconds remaining on the clock on Wednesday night, the Blues learnt the hard way that you cannot switch off and were defeated by a goal to nil in the 94th minute away at Coventry City.

Quickly moving on this week though and we find ourselves back at Fratton Park as John Moushino’s side take on fellow relegation-threatened outfit Derby County.

MANAGER

Former Rams central midfielder John Eustace is in the dugout.

During his playing career, Eustace also featured for Coventry, Stoke and Watford, eventually retiring from the game in 2015 after his departure from Derby, where he racked up 434 appearances and 34 goals.

He began his managerial career with Kidderminster Harriers before linking up with former Derby boss Steve McClaren for an assistant role at QPR ahead of the 2018/19 season. He remained on the coaching staff until Eustace was given the chance to become head coach of Birmingham City, a position he held between July 2022 to October 2023.

The 45-year old returned to Championship management with Blackburn Rovers, who he guided to safety on the final day of last season.

Eustace took over at Pride Park back in February after deciding to leave Blackburn, who sat in the Play-Off places at the time.

ONE TO WATCH

Our one to watch is Rams number 32, Ebou Adams.

He joined Derby on a permanent basis in July following an impressive loan spell in the second half of the 2023/24 season.

Adams made 17 appearances in total and scored once, helping Paul Warne’s side to secure automatic promotion back to the second tier.

So far this campaign, the 29-year-old Gambian has scored 5 goals.

TOP SCORER

Jerry Yates is currently the top goalscorer for the club this season with 8 league goals to his name.

He started his professional career with Rotherham United and went on to have multiple loan spells in his 6 years at the club.

Yates signed a 3-year contract with Blackpool in 2020, where in his first season he scored an impressive 20 league goals. He then went on to help secure promotion for The Seasiders to the Championship through the Play-Offs.

Having played in the second tier for each of the previous 3 seasons with Blackpool and Swansea, Yates joined The Rams for a season-long loan from Swansea at the start of the campaign.

He wears the number 10 shirt.

CURRENT FORM

Derby occupy 21st position in the Championship, just outside of the relegation zone with 42 points. They have accumulated the same amount of points as Cardiff in 22nd, however with a +10 goal difference on the Bluebirds.

Derby’s recent run of form saw them win 4 games on the bounce throughout March and April before being defeated 1-0 away at Swansea last weekend.

Their recent goalless draw with Burnley on Tuesday night leaves the club only 3 points behind the Blues in 17th.

Can John Mousinho’s side collect a vital 3 points to keep their Championship survival dreams alive?

Pompey Live returns this Saturday (April 12th) afternoon from 2pm for all of the unmissable action in the Championship as Portsmouth welcome Derby County in matchday no. 42 - Jake Smith, Kirsty Roxanne and James Wilson will make up the punditry team for Express FM at Fratton Park.

Kick-off: 3pm!