Derby County are looking to build on their recent win at Norwich after a difficult start to the season and will be looking to talisman Wayne Rooney to provide the spark. 

Watford on the other hand have started how they would have expected as they sit just outside the play-off places.

  • Team News

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It could well be good news for Derby fans as Tom Lawrence and Martyn Waghorn returned to training this week but sadly the Watford game may be too soon for them and they may only find themselves amongst the substitutes. 

Poland international Krystian Bielik is still recovering from a torn ACL and is not expected to be involved in the match day squad. 

New signing Colin Kazim-Richards may be involved in the squad after signing on Thursday. 

For Watford the game has come too early for forward Andre Gray and former Derby man Will Hughes as neither are expected to play a part in the game.

Etienne Capoue however could we back in the side as he returns from injury.

  • Predicted Lineups

Derby County predicted starting XI: Marshall; Byrne, Davies, Clarke, Buchanan; Bird, Shinnie, Knight; Holmes, Rooney, Jozwiak

Watford predicted starting XI: Foster; Ngakia, Cathcart, Troost-Ekong, Wilmot, Sema; Capoue, Cleverley, Chalobah; Sarr, Pedro

  • Ones to watch

Jason Knight put in a man of the match type performance against Norwich last time out with his driving runs, his never-ending engine and his tough tackling. The youngster got his first senior call up to the Republic of Ireland national team this week and got some minutes under his belt against Finland, this shows how much he is thought of and the Rams will be hoping for a similar performance on Friday night.

For Watford, Joao Pedro is one to look out for, not only in this game but throughout the season. Although the 19-year-old only has one goal this season, his ability to play with his back to goal and link play is second-to-none. Pedro will need to use his strength to his advantage as he potentially comes up against two solid centre-backs in Curtis Davies and Matt Clarke.

  • Previous Meeting

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The last time these two met was in a meeting in April 2015 at Pride Park as the two played out an entertaining draw. 

Matej Vydra opened the scoring for the Hornets after 23 minutes but Darren Bent equalised from the spot right on the stroke of half time after Johnny Russell won a penalty, resulting in a sending off for Marco Motta.

Tom Ince put Derby ahead after 57 minutes but the Rams couldn't hold on against the ten men as Odion Ighalo equalised with only 15 minutes to play. 

  • How to watch

The game will be shown live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event from 19:00 with kick off at 19:45 on Friday 16th October. 

  • What the managers have said

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Phillip Cocu spoke to RamsTV as he prepares for the visit of Watford

"They have a lot of quality in the team, like Norwich, they are one of the favourites for promotion, they have young, talented gifted players and experienced players, a big squad and a lot of options.

"They are a tough opponent but we have to believe in our chances, we are also a strong side, we have the confidence but we also know we have to respect the qualities of our rival".

Watford manager Vladimir Ivic gave his thoughts to the Watford website on their trip to Derby.

“Wayne Rooney, everybody knows what he can do. In the last game he scored in the last minutes of the game. He is a dangerous player, a quality player, especially in the box.

“His movement and first touch is amazing. He is one of the best players to ever play in England. He will for sure be one of the dangerous players.

“They have other quality players too, not just Rooney. We will give our best to stop him and to stop other guys, and to give everything we can to win this game.”