**Derby's injury crisis meets WBA's solid form in a Battle of the Midlands basement scrap.** Neither side is pulling up trees, but one team's got the cleaner bill of health — and that might matter more than you'd think. 🏟️

Derby are limping through September with **four players on the sidelines**, including creative spark S. Szmodics. WBA meanwhile just beat Watford and look the sharper outfit right now, despite a dodgy showing against Middlesbrough last time out.

Key storylines:

- **Derby's injury pile-up** vs a WBA side trending upward — J. W. Zetterström and the backline will face real pressure here
- **Home advantage counts** — Pride Park is Derby's fortress this season, but they've shipped 6 goals in their last two at home
- **WBA's midfield balance** — I. Price and O. Diakité need to control tempo; if they don't, C. Morris and L. Salvesen could run riot for Derby

Expected lineups:

- **Derby County**: J. W. Zetterström, C. Taylor, S. K. Langås, D. Sanderson, J. Ward, B. Clark, A. Mowatt, R. Hedges, F. Bilbija, L. Salvesen, C. Morris
- **West Bromwich Albion**: M. O'Leary, C. Styles, G. Campbell, N. Phillips, N. Galves, I. Price, O. Diakité, H. Whitwell, F. Myhre, J. Morgan, A. S. Heggebø

Prediction:

**1-1 draw** — both teams cancel each other out. Derby's desperation meets WBA's form in a grimy midweek stalemate. 📍