Derby County’s 2018/19 Sky Bet Championship fixtures have been revealed for what could be an exciting campaign for the Rams under new boss Frank Lampard as he will look to guide the team towards promotion.
Here are five key dates to look out for:
Reading Vs Derby County – 3rd August 2018
All eyes will be on the Rams and Lampard as they travel to Madejski Stadium to kick-start the 2018/19 campaign under the lights in the Friday night fixture.
The match, broadcast live on Sky Sports, will see Reading’s new boss Paul Clement come face-to-face with the Rams and some of his former players for the first time since his departure from the club in February 2016.
After finishing at the bottom end of the table last season, the Royals will be looking for a hot start, while the Rams will look to carry through their impressive form that ended their previous campaign.
The trip south last term ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw after Derby took the lead twice during the game. The Rams were reduced to 10-men with five minutes remaining but managed to fend off Reading’s pressure to maintain a point.
Derby County Vs Leeds United – 11th August 2018
Derby’s big start to the new campaign will continue the following week at home when Leeds become the first team to visit Pride Park Stadium.
A clash with the Whites, who finished 13th in the Championship last term, always promises an exciting game. Maybe even more so as the opening home fixture when Rams fans will get their first opportunity to check out the new squad on home turf in competitive action and see Lampard take charge for his first league home game.
There will also be a first for Leeds’ new manager Marcelo Bielsa who will taste a rival away game in England for the first time after managerial stints in France, Spain and Italy.
Derby County Vs Nottingham Forest – 15th December 2018
Lampard’s first taste of the East Midlands derby will be at Pride Park towards the end of 2018 and will no doubt be one to look out for.
Rams supporters would likely welcome a repeat of last season’s home clash that didn’t disappoint, as Matej Vydra delighted the home fans by finding the net after just 24 seconds. David Nugent added insult to injury for the Reds, doubling the lead minutes into the second half and Forest couldn’t respond.
Although, Forest will have a new look to their team after splashing out a club-record fee for Benfica’s Joao Carvalho as well as adding his team-mate Diogo Goncalves on a season-long loan.
The reverse fixture at City Ground will come just before the international break on 23rd February.
Derby County Vs Stoke City – March 13th 2019
Gary Rowett will return to Pride Park in March for a mid-week clash under the lights.
The match at the business end of the season could prove to be vital for both teams as Stoke will be eyeing an immediate return to the Premier League while the Rams will be hoping to complete a promotion campaign.
It could prove to be an important month for Derby that will start by a trip to Villa Park to face fellow promotion contenders from last season, Aston Villa. Sheffield Wednesday will visit Pride Park days before Stoke on 9th March.
The reverse fixture with the Potters earlier in the season on 28th November will also be a Wednesday night game and sure to be one to keep an eye out for.
Derby County Vs West Bromwich Albion – 5th May 2019
The season will conclude at home against West Brom in their first season back in the Championship.
Having already faced his former club at The Hawthorns on 24th October, ex-Derby centre-back Darren Moore will return to Pride Park for the first time as a manager.
The last time Derby met the Baggies in league competition was in the 2009/10 season where they saw a 2-2 draw at home followed by a 3-1 defeat away.
It could prove to be an important end to the Rams’ season that will see them face former Derby boss and Lampard’s ex-England manager, Steve McClaren, at home followed by a trip to Bristol City to end April.
