**Derby's crunch time collides with Norwich's hot-streak swagger** — the Rams desperately need points after a rough patch, while the Canaries have just strung together back-to-back wins. Both squads are battered by injuries, but that's the Championship grind. ⚽

Derby's winless run (0W-2D-3L) has them in survival mode at Pride Park, where a boisterous crowd could matter. Norwich showed grit beating Watford and Charlton, but they've also dropped points to Portsmouth at home—consistency is the ask here.

Key storylines:

- **Derby's defensive woes** have them shipping goals left and right; they'll lean on **R. Brewster** up top to poach chances on the break
- **Norwich's midfield engine** — **A. Brooks** and **K. McLean** — will look to control tempo and starve Derby's attack of service
- **Missing bodies everywhere**: Derby without **C. Taylor** and **C. Forsyth**, Norwich minus **M. Touré** and key defensive depth, so this could get scrappy

Expected lineups:

- **Derby County**: J. W. Zetterström, R. Nyambe, M. Johnston, J. Robinson, S. Szmodics, B. Clark, C. Morris, R. Hedges, M. Fuseini, R. Brewster
- **Norwich City**: D. Grimshaw, R. McConville, P. Mattsson, B. Alves, A. Brooks, K. McLean, O. Schwartau, J. Wright, M. Kvistgaarden, J. Makama

Prediction:

**1-1 draw** — both teams hungry but fragile; expect a cagey, competitive tussle that neither can quite break open. 🔒