How to watch Derby County vs Preston North End as John Eustace looks to escape Championship relegation zone

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There’s just one game in the Championship this week, and we’ve got all the details on how to watch Derby County vs Preston North End, plus team news and head-to-head records.

After what felt like an eternity, the international break is over, and Championship football is back on our screens — rejoice!

The weekend’s action in the second tier produced some huge results at both ends of the table, with Sheffield United taking top spot as the Championship title race twists and turns, and Luton Town claiming a massive win in the relegation battle.

Now, though, Derby County have a big chance to creep out of the drop zone, but they’ll have to beat Preston North End to do so.

Here are all the details you need in order to watch Derby County vs Preston, plus which players will be available, and which team has the upper hand over the course of history.

• READ MORE: Paul Heckingbottom feared John Eustace impact in 2022, now his ‘fingerprints’ are clear to see at Derby County

Derby County vs Preston North End kick-off time

Derby County and Preston North End are playing at Pride Park on Wednesday, April 2. The game will kick-off at 7:45pm BST.

How to watch Derby County vs Preston North End

Fans with a Sky Sports subscription can watch Derby County vs Preston on Sky Sports+ on Wednesday night, with coverage starting at 7:35pm BST.

You can also catch the game via the Sky Go app if you’re on the move.

• READ MORE: ‘Unfortunately’… John Eustace told why Derby County will still be relegated despite three wins in a row

Derby County and Preston North End team news

Derby County will be without a few players for this one. Curtis Nelson is out long-term, while David Ozoh is also set to miss the rest of the season with a thigh strain.

Dajaune Brown and Ben Osborn are both carrying hamstring issues. The former will miss the rest of the campaign, while Osborn won’t be back until next month.

Lars-Jørgen Salvesen will also be out until the end of the season, but fellow Scandinavian, Sondre Langas, is playing through the pain at the moment after picking up a knock.

Meanwhile, Corey Blackett-Taylor and new signing Kemar Roofe are both out for another week or two and this game will come too soon for them.

Preston travel to Pride Park without a number of players. Goalkeeper, Freddie Woodman, is out for the rest of the season with an ankle issue.

Jack Whatmough will also not play again this term due to a calf injury, and Brad Potts might well be on a similar timescale with his hamstring strain.

Ali McCann, who suffered a calf issue, could return before the end of the season, though. Meanwhile, Sam Greenwood is serving a suspension and will miss the game.

There is good news, though. Ryan Ledson is back from suspension, while Ryan Porteous is available again after being cup-tied at the weekend. Paul Heckingbottom can also call on Kaine Kesler-Hayden again, with the youngster missing the FA Cup tie against Aston Villa as he is on loan from Unai Emery’s side.

Jayden Meghoma and Milutin Osmajic have had a few knocks over the last couple of weeks, but they both played on Sunday against Villa and we see no reason why they can’t play against Derby this week.

Derby County vs Preston North End head-to-head record

These two clubs have a long history in the game, and have met a whopping 125 times in the past.

It’s been incredibly close over the years, too. Preston have the slight edge, with 52 wins to Derby’s 48, while there has been 25 draws between the two teams.

Derby are unbeaten in the last three against Preston, though. Meanwhile, Preston won three on the bounce before that.

Overall, in the last ten meetings, Derby have won four, drawn three, and lost three.

• READ MORE: Derby County fans all ask the same question as new signing suggests John Eustace problem

Derby County vs Preston North End prediction

With home advantage on their side, and far more to fight for than the visitors, we expect Derby to keep their momentum going under John Eustace and jump out of the relegation zone with a win against Preston.

There won’t be much in it, and neither team is particularly creative in front of goal, so we’d put this one down as a narrow 1-0 win for Derby County.