Derby County visit eighth-placed Swansea City hoping to end a winless away run that stretches back to the opening game of the season.
Derby County Hope to End Winless Away Run at Swansea City
Swansea City vs Derby County
The South Wales side welcome the Rams having not lost at home in five matches.
Despite poor form on the road, the Swans will take some pride from their last match, a 1-1 draw away to play-off rivals Preston North End.
Only five places and six points separate the two sides with Derby moving up to 13th after dispatching Stoke City 4-0 last Friday.
In all competitions, Phillip Cocu’s side have only lost once in their last 10 matches.
Not a Happy Hunting Ground
The Liberty Stadium has not been a particularly happy hunting ground for Derby in recent years having never won at the ground.
They last earnt all three points in South Wales in 1999 when the Jacks still played at Vetch Field.
That being said, a 1-1 draw was last season’s scoreline in this fixture whilst it was goalless at Pride Park back in August.
Team News
Swansea, rightfully, come into this match as favourites and they will be buoyed by the return of full-back Connor Roberts who had been out with a shoulder injury.
Steve Cooper’s side are still without defender Mike Van Der Hoorn who picked up a knee injury at the start of the year.
Derby will be without full-back Max Lowe for their trip to Wales as he sits out the third and final match of his suspension.
Tom Huddlestone is not fit enough to return to the squad for Derby whilst there will be no Krystian Bielik or George Evans with both still hampered by long-term injuries.
Cocu Hopeful of Breaking Away Curse
Looking ahead to his side’s trip to the Liberty Stadium, Phillip Cocu said: ”For the next two games, they’ll be tough games at Swansea and Bristol City but we’re working everyday to try to get a result we want in an away game.
”The team is doing well, the feeling is good in the team and the spirit is high.
“If we give everything like we did against Stoke and Northampton then we can do it and we have to believe in it because if you start on mission and don’t believe then you’ll never succeed.”
Main Photo
