The big picture

Middlesbrough come in 2nd on the ladder with 29 points; Derby County are 23rd on 10. Middlesbrough have the higher position to protect.

Middlesbrough are 8–2–5 in EFL Championship 2026-27, averaging 2 goals for and 1.3 against.

Derby County are 2–9–4 in EFL Championship 2026-27, averaging 0.9 goals for and 2 against.

Form

Middlesbrough have won two of their last five and most recently drew with Watford 0–0.

Derby County have won one of their last five and most recently beat Bolton Wanderers 3–1.

Head to head

These sides have met 26 times on our records since 1996: Middlesbrough 12, Derby County 8, 6 drawn.

Last time out (2025-26), Derby County won 1–0 at Pride Park.

Biggest margin between these two: Middlesbrough by 5 goals in 1996-97 (6–1).

Players to watch

For Middlesbrough, watch Will Lankshear (1 goals a game in 2026-27) and Sebastian Berhalter (0.2 goals a game, 2 assists in 2026-27).

For Derby County, watch Bobby Clark (0.2 goals a game, 2 assists in 2026-27) and Sammie Szmodics (0.2 goals a game, 1 assist in 2026-27).

At Riverside Stadium

Middlesbrough have won 10 of their last 19 at Riverside Stadium.

What the numbers say

On form, ladder and history, Middlesbrough go in as clear favourites.