Derby County vs Wrexham: Prediction, Lineups, Kickoff Time | Championship 2025/26

Derby County vs Wrexham — Match Preview

A Hollywood blockbuster comes to the East Midlands on Sunday, 4 January 2026, as Derby County host Wrexham at Pride Park. The visitors are the story of the season, currently sitting 10th with 37 points and riding a sensational three-match winning streak, including a stunning 2–0 away win at Blackburn on New Year’s Day. The Red Dragons have scored 9 goals in their last 3 games and are eyeing a playoff push.

Derby County, just two points behind in 11th (35 points), are also in good spirits after edging Middlesbrough 1–0 to start 2026. Paul Warne’s side has been gritty, if inconsistent, but they know a win here would see them leapfrog their celebrity-owned rivals in the table. With both teams safe from relegation danger and looking upward, this promises to be an open, attacking contest.

Derby County vs Wrexham — Match Info

• Competition: EFL Championship (Matchday 26)
• Venue: Pride Park, Derby (Capacity: 33,597)
• Date: Sunday, 4 January 2026
• Kickoff: 15:00 GMT | 16:00 CET | 10:00 ET
• Referee: TBC (EFL Appointment)

Derby County vs Wrexham — Match Stakes

Derby County (11th — 35 pts):

• Win → Moves to 38 pts; leapfrogs Wrexham into the top 10.
• Draw → Keeps the unbeaten run going (3 games); maintains the gap to Wrexham.
• Loss → Stalls momentum; allows Wrexham to open a 5-point gap.

Wrexham (10th — 37 pts):

• Win → Moves to 40 pts; a massive statement of intent for the playoffs (Top 6).
• Draw → A solid point on the road to keep the unbeaten streak alive (4 games).
• Loss → Momentum check; brings the chasing pack (Derby, Sheffield Utd) closer.

Derby County vs Wrexham — Team News

Derby County:

• Ozoh D. — Out (Thigh Injury – Midfield Enforcer Missing)
• Nyambe R. — Out (Injury – replaced by Elder/Sanderson in defense)
• Widell Zetterstrom J. — Available (Starting GK – Hero vs Boro)
• Brereton Diaz B. — Available (Star forward, expected to start)
• Brewster R. — Available (Key goal threat)

Wrexham:

• Lee E. — Out (Knee Injury – Huge blow to creativity)
• Kabore I. — Out (International Duty – AFCON with Burkina Faso)
• Okonkwo A. — Available (In excellent form, clean sheet vs Blackburn)
• Sheaf B. — Available (Midfield anchor)
• Broadhead N. — Available (Scoring freely)
• Defensive Shift: With Kabore away, expect Ryan Longman or Matty James to cover wing-back duties.

Derby County vs Wrexham — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)

Derby County

• 01/01 — 1–0 vs Middlesbrough (Championship)
• 30/12 — 1–2 vs Leicester City (Championship)
• 26/12 — 1–1 vs Birmingham (Championship)
• 20/12 — 1–1 vs Portsmouth (Championship)
• 16/12 — 3–0 vs Sheffield Wed (Championship)

Wrexham

• 01/01 — 2–0 vs Blackburn (Championship)
• 30/12 — 2–1 vs Preston (Championship)
• 26/12 — 5–3 vs Sheffield Utd (Championship)
• 20/12 — 1–2 vs Swansea (Championship)
• 13/12 — 2–2 vs Watford (Championship)

Derby County vs Wrexham — Head-to-Head (Last Meetings)

• 27/09/2025 — Wrexham 1–1 Derby (Championship)
• 06/01/2007 — Derby 3–1 Wrexham (FA Cup)
• Historical meetings are sparse due to Wrexham’s years in non-league.

Derby County vs Wrexham — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)

Derby County (4-3-3)

Widell Zetterstrom; Langas, Sanderson, Clarke, Elder; Thompson, Ward, Clark; Brewster, Brereton Diaz, Agyemang

Wrexham (3-5-2)

Okonkwo; Cleworth, Hyam, Doyle; James, Longman, Sheaf, Dobson, Thomason; Broadhead, Rathbone

Derby County vs Wrexham — Impact Bench

Derby County: Mendez-Laing (Pace/Experience), Collins (Goal poacher)

Wrexham: Mullin (Talisman off the bench), Fletcher (Aerial threat)

Derby County vs Wrexham — Tactical Analysis

Derby County

Paul Warne’s Derby relies on high energy and physical dominance. With Ben Brereton Diaz leading the line, they have genuine Premier League quality in attack. They will look to exploit Wrexham’s reshuffled defense (missing Kabore) by overloading the wide channels through Ryan Brewster and Patrick Agyemang.

Wrexham

Phil Parkinson (or current boss) has Wrexham playing fearless football. They have scored 9 goals in 3 games, with Nathan Broadhead and Ben Sheaf orchestrating attacks. Without Elliot Lee, the creative burden falls on George Thomason and Oliver Rathbone. Wrexham’s 3-5-2 system allows them to flood the midfield, but they must be wary of Derby’s counter-attacks at Pride Park.

Derby County vs Wrexham — Key Battles

• Brereton Diaz vs Hyam — The Chile international vs Wrexham’s defensive leader.
• Sheaf vs Thompson — Battle for midfield control.
• Broadhead vs Clarke — Wrexham’s in-form striker vs Derby’s physical center-back.
• Okonkwo vs Brewster — GK needs to be alert to shots from distance.

Derby County vs Wrexham — Spotlight Players

Derby County — Ben Brereton Diaz

The marquee forward is the difference-maker. If Derby are to break down a confident Wrexham side, his movement and finishing will be the key.

Wrexham — Arthur Okonkwo

The goalkeeper has been a rock. Coming off a clean sheet at Blackburn, he will need another big performance to silence the Pride Park crowd.

Derby County vs Wrexham — Prediction

Derby County 2–2 Wrexham

Both teams are in decent form and scoring goals. Wrexham’s attack is on fire (5 vs Sheffield Utd, 2 vs Preston, 2 vs Blackburn), but Derby are tough to beat at home. With key absences on both sides (Ozoh for Derby, Lee/Kabore for Wrexham), a high-scoring, entertaining draw seems the most likely outcome.

Derby County vs Wrexham — Betting Insights

• Over 2.5 Goals — High Probability (Wrexham involved in high-scoring games).
• Both Teams to Score — YES.
• Double Chance — Wrexham or Draw (Current momentum favors the visitors).

Derby County vs Wrexham — Where to Watch

• UK: Sky Sports Football
• International: ESPN+ (USA), DAZN
• Streaming: RAMS TV / WrexhamPlayer (International only)

Derby County vs Wrexham — FAQs

Q: When is the Derby vs Wrexham match?

A: The match kicks off on Sunday, 4 January 2026, at 15:00 GMT.

Q: Is Elliot Lee playing?

A: No. Wrexham’s star midfielder is out with a knee injury.

Q: Is Issa Kabore playing?

A: No. He is on international duty at AFCON.

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