Big Match Breakdown: Reading v Derby

Friday night football at the Madejski

The Championship season kicks off tonight with a very tasty clash as Reading host Derby County.

New Derby boss Frank Lampard makes his managerial bow at the Madejski Stadium. Paul Clement will be hoping his current side beat his former employers to build some early momentum after a difficult campaign last year.

You can catch the action live on Sky Sports Football from 8:00pm. And the Coral News Team have all the pre-match info ahead of the curtain-raiser…

Head-to-Head

These two sides have met each other 12 times over the last five seasons.

There hasn’t been much to split them during that period – Reading have won four times, Derby have also won four times and there have been four draws.

There have been six away wins though, with the home side winning just two of those twelve games.

The last three meetings have all produced Over 4.5 Goals too.

Likely XIs

New signings Sam Baldock, Andy Yiadom and David Meyler should make their debut for the hosts here.

Liam Moore is set to miss out after handing a transfer request in.

Derby are likely to field a new-look attack, with Jack Marriot, Harry Wilson, Mason Mount and Florian Jozefzoon all in line for debuts.

Ikechi Anya is an injury doubt in defence. Chris Martin and Matej Vydra may not be fit enough to feature for the visitors either.