Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has predicted that Derby County will win 1-0 against West Brom at Pride Park on Sunday to seal their spot in the play-offs.
Frank Lampard’s side currently sit sixth in the Championship table and know that a win against the Baggies will be enough for them to play against Leeds United in the play-off semi-finals.
West Brom of course can move up into third if they beat Derby and Leeds lose to relegated Ipswich.
However Prutton reckons that James Shan will rest some key players at Pride Park this week and expects Derby to the job done.
“Derby are in pole position as they currently occupy sixth and know it is in their hands,” he said on the Sky Sports website. “They also have the advantage of playing at home on the final day, as they host West Brom, while Boro head to Rotherham and Bristol City visit Hull.
“Rotherham will want to put on a show in front of their home fans before preparing for life in League One, but Middlesbrough should have enough to see them off. That will put the pressure on Derby, but West Brom will likely make a few changes and I think the Rams can sneak it, therefore claiming sixth place.”
OPINION
West Brom interim manager Shan has already shown that he is willing to rest a few players ahead of the play-offs based off his line-ups in recent weeks, so as the Baggies already have their spot nailed down, it is likely that players won’t be risked against Derby. Yes, West Brom could go out to try and beat the Rams in a bid to avoid a play-off semi-final against Aston Villa, but the chances of Leeds being beaten by Ipswich are low. Shan would make a massive mistake if he risks his key players for no reason in terms of the league standings, so West Brom are more than likely going to settle for what looks like a semi-final against their bitter local rivals. Derby won 4-1 at West Brom earlier this season and should be able to get the three points that they need for a sixth-placed finish and a crunch match against Leeds in the play-off semi-finals.