Derby’s injury crisis deepens before Stoke’s visit
On Saturday, 17 October 2026, Derby County take on Stoke City at Pride Park, in round 11 of the Championship. John Eustace’s side are 23rd with six points after a 4-1 defeat at QPR on Wednesday, when they were 3-0 down at half-time. Stoke are eighth on 16 points. They lost 3-2 at home to Middlesbrough on Tuesday to a 91st-minute goal, but had won their previous three league games. Kick-off is at 16:00, with Oliver Langford the referee.
“I don’t feel the pressure. I feel frustrated and angry, simple as that.” – Derby head coach John Eustace
Predicted lineups: Derby vs Stoke
Derby’s defence has been ripped apart by injuries. Sondre Langås picked up a groin injury at QPR and Eustace says he will be out for around 12 or 13 weeks, joining Matt Clarke, Eiran Cashin, Max Johnston, Derry Murkin, Charlie Taylor and Craig Forsyth on the sidelines. Eustace said it is nearly a new group at the back. Stoke are without Ato Ampah, who has had knee surgery, and Sam Gallagher, but Maksym Talovierov is available again after a one-match ban.
Derby County Team News & Preview
Derby are winless in six games in all competitions. At QPR they were 3-0 down at half-time, and Eustace said afterwards that the way they defended, individually and collectively, was disappointing. Before that they drew 1-1 at home to Wrexham, conceding an equaliser in the 88th minute.
The injuries make the problem worse. Derby are now without most of their first-choice defenders, and Eustace says his side work with a no-excuse culture, but a home record of two draws and three defeats shows how hard it has been.
What works for or against Derby
- No home league win this season.
- Langås and at least six other players are out.
- Conceded four at QPR on Wednesday.
- Won 2-0 at home against Stoke last April.
Stoke City Team News & Preview
Stoke won three league games in a row before Tuesday, including 2-1 wins at Watford and Bolton. Against Middlesbrough they came from behind twice before Neto Borges won it for Boro in the 91st minute, so the performance was better than the result.
The goals have been consistent: Stoke have scored in all ten league games. Mark Robins has lost Ampah and Gallagher, but Talovierov returns, and Stoke had one more day of rest than Derby.
What works for or against Stoke
- Scored in all ten league games.
- Away wins at Watford and Bolton in their last four league games.
- Ampah and Gallagher are both out.
- Have conceded 16 goals in ten games.
Derby vs Stoke Odds
Derby vs. Stoke City Stats Comparison
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Derby vs. Stoke City Form Guide
Derby Form, Stats & Data
Derby score 0.9 goals per game and concede 1.9. Their only league win came at Portsmouth, and at home they have two draws and three defeats, including 1-0 against West Brom and 2-1 against Birmingham.
Stoke City Form, Stats & Data
Stoke score 1.7 goals per game and concede 1.6. They have scored in every league game, and their recent away record is good, with 2-1 wins at Watford and Bolton and a 1-1 draw at Cardiff.
Derby vs Stoke: Prediction & Betting Tip
Derby have no home league win, have scored only nine goals in ten games and now have to field another makeshift back line. Stoke have scored in every league game and won at Watford and Bolton recently, and they had an extra day to recover. I like Stoke to win.
What worries me is Stoke’s record at Pride Park. Derby won this fixture 2-0 last April, and Stoke have struggled on recent visits here. They also concede regularly themselves, so Derby could find a goal. That is why I am keeping the stake lower, but Derby’s injury list is too long to ignore.
I am backing Stoke to win at 2.29 with Winz, and I have it finishing 1-2.