Middlesbrough will be keen to keep pressure on at the top when they take on Derby County on New Year’s Day.

Middlesbrough will begin the New Year on the road as they travel to Pride Park to face Derby County, with both sides eager to reset after mixed ends to their respective 2025 campaigns.

While Boro remain firmly in the promotion hunt, Derby are looking to steady themselves in mid-table and regain momentum after a frustrating run of results that has seen them slide toward the lower half of the standings.

Derby County head into the New Year sitting 14th in the Championship, having collected 32 points from 24 matches. Given that they narrowly avoided relegation last season, this position represents progress, but recent form suggests room for improvement.

John Eustace’s side have won just one of their final seven matches of 2025, drawing three and losing three during that spell. Their sole victory came against bottom-placed Sheffield Wednesday, while draws with Portsmouth and Birmingham City highlighted Derby’s difficulty in turning competitive performances into wins.

The Rams ended the year with a narrow 2-1 defeat away to Leicester City, where Rhian Brewster’s first-half equaliser ultimately proved insufficient. That result extended a worrying trend at Pride Park, where Derby have failed to win any of their last four home matches since beating Hull City in early November.

Defensive frailties have been a recurring issue, particularly at home. Derby have conceded 18 goals in 12 league matches at Pride Park, with only two teams in the division shipping more goals on their own turf.

Middlesbrough arrive in Derbyshire under pressure to halt a recent dip in form. Despite sitting second in the table, Boro have picked up just one point from their last three matches, following a 2-0 defeat to Bristol City with a goalless draw against Blackburn Rovers and a narrow 1-0 loss to Hull City.

That sequence has allowed Coventry City to open up an eight-point lead at the summit, while Ipswich Town and Hull City now sit just two points behind Middlesbrough in the race for promotion. What once looked like a comfortable position has quickly become precarious.

Despite their recent stumbles, Killberg’s side remain one of the division’s strongest outfits and will be determined to respond on the road. They already hold a psychological edge over Derby this season, having secured a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture back in November thanks to goals from Matt Targett and Morgan Whittaker.

However, history offers a note of caution. Middlesbrough have not beaten Derby County away from home since April 2018, failing to win any of their last five visits to Pride Park, a statistic that will give the hosts quiet encouragement.

Derby are likely to approach the contest with intensity and physicality, attempting to disrupt Boro’s rhythm early and feed off the home crowd. Middlesbrough, by contrast, will look to control possession and use their technical quality in wide areas to create openings.

With both teams under pressure for different reasons, Derby seeking stability and Boro desperate to stay in the automatic promotion race, this encounter has the feel of a tight, attritional contest. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.

Team News & Tactics

Derby County

Derby County continue to deal with several fitness concerns ahead of their New Year’s Day clash, with three players ruled out through injury. Max Johnston, David Ozoh, and Carlton Morris all remain sidelined, limiting John Eustace’s options across both defence and attack. In addition, Bobby Clark is a doubt after being forced off during the defeat to Leicester City, and his availability will be assessed closer to kick-off.

There is, however, some positive news for the Rams. Joe Ward returns to the matchday squad after serving a one-match suspension following his red card in the Boxing Day draw with Birmingham City. His return should add experience and energy down the right flank. Meanwhile, Lewis Travis made his long-awaited comeback from injury as a late substitute on Monday and could be in line for increased involvement, although he is unlikely to be rushed into a starting role.

Derby County are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 system, aiming to provide defensive solidity while allowing flexibility in attack. Jacob Widell Zetterstrom is likely to start in goal, offering presence and composure between the posts. The back three should consist of Sondre Langas, Dion Sanderson, and Matt Clarke, forming a compact defensive unit tasked with limiting space between the lines.

On the flanks, Joe Ward is expected to operate as the right wing-back, offering width and defensive cover, while Callum Elder will operate on the left side. Liam Thompson and Ebou Adams are expected to form the central midfield pairing, combining energy, ball-winning ability, and forward distribution.

Further forward, Ben Brereton Diaz and Patrick Agyemang will operate as the two attacking midfielders behind the striker, offering pace, creativity, and goal threat. Leading the line, Rhian Brewster is expected to spearhead the attack, using his movement and pressing to unsettle the Middlesbrough backline.

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Zetterstrom; Langas, Sanderson, Clarke; Ward, Thompson, Adams, Elder; Diaz, Agyemang; Brewster

Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough head into the trip to Pride Park dealing with a growing defensive injury list that could significantly shape Kim Hellberg’s selection decisions. Central defenders Dael Fry, George Edmundson, and Alfie Jones are all major doubts after picking up fitness issues, leaving Boro short of natural centre-back options. Their availability will be assessed closer to kick-off, but the coaching staff are preparing contingency plans should none of the trio recover in time.

Further up the pitch, midfielder Riley McGree remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, continuing a frustrating spell on the sidelines. In attack, David Strelec is also a doubt after missing Monday’s defeat, and his involvement will depend on late fitness checks. On a more positive note, Aidan Morris and Delano Burgzorg are both pushing for greater involvement and could feature if Hellberg opts to freshen up his starting XI.

Middlesbrough are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Sol Brynn is likely to start in goal, providing shot-stopping reliability and distribution from the back. The defensive line could see Callum Brittain, Luke Ayling, Matt Targett, and Alex Bangura in a back four.

In midfield, Aidan Morris is expected to partner Alan Browne in a double pivot, freeing up the trio of Morgan Whittaker, Hayden Hackney, and Delano Burgzorg to push forward. Leading the line, Tommy Conway is likely to start as the lone striker, providing movement, pressing, and a consistent goal threat.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Brynn; Brittain, Ayling, Targett, Bangura; Morris, Browne; Whittaker, Hackney, Burgzorg; Conway

Key Stats

• Middlesbrough have lost just one of their last eight league matches against Derby County, winning four and drawing three during that run.
• Derby have won only one of their last seven Championship fixtures, collecting just six points from a possible 21 in that span.
• Middlesbrough have the second-best away record in the Championship, picking up 22 points from 12 matches on the road this season.
• Derby have conceded 18 goals in 12 home league games, with only two teams in the division shipping more at home.
• Boro have scored in 10 of their last 12 league matches.

Player to Watch

Hayden Hackney

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Hayden Hackney continues to be one of Middlesbrough’s most influential midfielders, offering energy, intelligence, and composure in possession. The academy graduate has developed into a key figure under Kim Hellberg, often dictating the tempo of matches through his passing range and positional awareness.

Operating primarily in a central attacking or advanced midfield role, Hackney excels at finding pockets of space between the lines and linking midfield to attack. His ability to receive on the half-turn and drive forward makes him a constant threat, particularly against sides that sit deep or struggle to maintain defensive shape, something Derby have shown at times this season.

Beyond his technical quality, Hackney’s work rate and defensive contribution are just as important. He presses aggressively, tracks runners diligently, and helps Middlesbrough regain control during transitions. Against a Derby side that can be vulnerable in midfield, his intelligence and movement could be decisive in tilting the game in Boro’s favour.

Prediction

Derby County 1-2 Middlesbrough

This matchup feels finely balanced, but Middlesbrough’s greater consistency across the season and their ability to control games through midfield give them a slight edge. Derby County will be competitive, especially at Pride Park, and their physical approach could cause problems early on. However, their defensive fragility and recent dip in form may once again prove costly.

Middlesbrough’s quality in possession and attacking movement, particularly through Hayden Hackney and Morgan Whittaker, should allow them to create clearer chances over the course of the match.