Derby vs West Brom - Championship

When Derby and West Brom clash at Pride Park Stadium on September 9, 2026, the stakes extend well beyond a single result — this is a Championship fixture that carries real weight for both clubs. Manchester United play in Gothenburg on Saturday as they take on Paris-Saint Germain in their fourth pre-season fixture.

The two sides arrive with plenty to prove, and the Championship contest at Pride Park Stadium offers a chance to lay down a marker. The hosts have mirrored the form of a side still searching for rhythm — DLLLW over their last five, a win rate of 39.13%. The visitors have been a steady presence on the road, LDWWD in their last five and a campaign win rate of 50%. Their respective approaches this season have differed noticeably, and the tactical contrast could prove telling. If you're Arsenal and wanting to win the Premier League, and you take six points off those teams, then you're near-on winning the Premier League.

Stylistically, this is a compelling matchup. Derby favour a patient, possession-based approach, whereas West Brom are at their most dangerous when allowed to hit quickly on the counter. What Bryson DeChambeau claimed about LIV Golf’s future back in 2022 In 2022, DeChambeau took part in his first ever press conference after joining LIV Golf.

The fixture boasts genuine star quality. With C. Larin topping the Championship scoring charts at 7 goals, the stage is set for the kind of individual brilliance that can swing a contest. How each side deals with the other's danger men — and who takes their chances when they come — will be central to the outcome. Coventry are without a point or a goal in their first four matches of the Premier League season.

Predicting an outright winner is no easy task given how little separates the two sides on paper. A share of the spoils looks the most probable outcome, with neither side holding a decisive edge — a 2-2 draw feels like a fitting result. The ramifications of this result could ripple through the Championship standings for weeks to come, regardless of who comes out on top. Joe Gomez is expected to miss the start of Liverpool's Premier League campaign through injury - but it is not likely to impact the Reds' transfer plans.