A crazy Easter weekend has left the Championship relegation battle finely balanced, with seven teams still in contention for the drop, including Hull and Derby, who will collide at the MKM Stadium on Saturday.
Both teams secured three points from their two Easter matches and will be aiming for a win in this game, as the Tigers sit just two points above the relegation zone and the Rams remain outside the drop zone only on goal difference.
With both sides fighting hard for survival, it is likely that they will be evenly matched at the MKM Stadium.
Team news
Hull could receive a significant boost as Matt Crooks returns from suspension and Louie Barry may make his first appearance since February.
Eliot Matazo, Mohamed Belloui, Liam Millar, and Oscar Zambrano are still unavailable due to injuries and suspension.
Derby has a long list of injured players including Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, Ryan Nyambe, Curtis Nelson, Corey Blackett-Taylor, David Ozoh, Joe Ward, Lars-Jorgen Salvesen, Dajaune Brown, and Kemar Roofe.
Callum Elder is close to a comeback and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing is pushing for a starting spot after scoring shortly after coming on in County's win over West Brom.
The stats
- Hull has lost only one of their last six home games
- Derby has accumulated 17 points in their last 10 matches, a total surpassed by only six other Championship teams
- The two teams played to a 1-1 draw at Pride Park in October
- Derby's sole away defeat in four games was a narrow loss to Swansea
- Both teams won on Easter Monday, with Hull defeating Preston 2-1 and Derby securing a 3-1 victory at West Brom
- Hull has yet to win back-to-back games under Ruben Selles
Prediction
With three of the teams below them also winning, it was crucial for Joe Gelhardt to convert his two penalties against Preston to seal a victory for Hull on Easter Monday.
Hull holds their destiny in their hands, facing Derby and Preston, the two teams directly below them, in their final two matches.
Selles will aim to avoid a last-day scenario, but Hull's history under his management suggests it may not go as planned.
Given Derby's form since John Eustace took charge and their strong performance in the recent 3-1 win over West Brom, a draw at the MKM Stadium seems probable.
This result would leave both teams in a precarious position heading into the last day, but with each side fighting for survival, a shared outcome is likely, mirroring the draw in the earlier fixture in October.