Both of these sides have experienced Premiership football within the past few years although despite their recent history, both were expected to struggle in this campaign. As it turns out both managers have engineered very good starts, with Derby sat comfortably in 12th while Watford are all the way up in 5th.
It was only last week that Derby were knocking on the door of the playoffs, only to see a 2-0 defeat them send them right down into 12th. That shows exactly how tight the division is, but that result was their first defeat in seven so it’s certainly not all bad for the Rams. Eighteen points from their first thirteen games will please the majority of the Pride Park faithful, who have become used to struggles at the wrong end of the table in recent seasons. However, Nigel Clough appears to have got the balance right in this campaign and with key players such as Kris Commons now injury free, the Rams have an excellent opportunity to make an assault on the top half. Commons’ form in particular should be highlighted, with the former Nottingham Forest man notching a terrific seven league goals from midfield already this term.
Watford meanwhile are having a brilliant season. The Hornets’ expectations were even lower than Derby’s, although Malky Mackay’s shrewd management appears to have paid off and the Vicarage Road outfit have netted an impressive twenty one points from their opening thirteen fixtures. Just like the visitors, the Hornets are coming into this game following a 2-0 home defeat to Scunthorpe that was completely unexpected considering their brilliant start to the campaign. That loss meant that Mackay’s men have now lost two out of their last three and while it’s hardly a crisis considering their overall start, it’s something that he’ll want to put right as soon as possible.
As for team news, Derby will have Luke Moore available again after they reached a deal with West Brom to extend his loan contract. Elsewhere however, Russell Anderson will not feature as he struggles with a hamstring injury while Stephen Pearson may only be fit enough for the bench having only just recovered from a knee issue. It’s mixed news for Watford who will be without Lee Hodson through a back complaint. However, Malky Mackay is hopeful of including strikers Danny Graham and Marvin Sordell who have both been struggling with niggling injuries.
Derby have comfortably won their last three games at Pride Park and with that, we’re going to tip a Rams victory here. Watford won’t make it easy, but we think Nigel Clough’s men will come out on top in this outing in a 2-0 victory.
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