Exclusive: Lee Hendrie drops Derby County promotion prediction | OneFootball

Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie says Derby County are play-off contenders for the 2025/26 Championship season

Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie believes that Derby County have every chance of reaching the play-offs this Championship season.

Being a Derby County supporter at this moment in time, must be one of the sweetest feelings across the EFL, with the Rams currently on a five-game winning streak in the Championship, which has certainly created a feel-good factor around Pride Park.

Despite leaving it late to conduct summer transfer business combined with injury setbacks in the early stages of the season, Derby manager John Eustace has found a winning formula that has led them to currently sitting in 10th place and merely two points off the play-off places, much to many second tier fans' surprise after a slow start to the 2025/26 season.

With the Rams exceeding expectations to this point after narrowly escaping the drop last term, Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie has issued his verdict on how far Derby County can go this season in the midst of a terrific run of form.

Lee Hendrie believes that Derby County are genuine play-off contenders

With a third of the season played at the turn of the November international break, it's clear to see that the Championship is starting to take shape, and you can gauge where teams will find themselves come May. However, after a five-game winless start to the season, not many could've predicted Derby to be just outside the play-offs at this time, with it looking like another relegation battle for Eustace's side.

Their quick turnaround in form has certainly raised eyebrows and got Hendrie thinking that the Midlands club have every right to kick on, and even be an outside shout to gain promotion to the top-flight now that things are starting to click.

Hendrie said: "I said recently to someone I know about Derby, and knowing what Eustace had in his thoughts for the players that he brought in, and maybe couldn't quite get them up to speed because they did a lot of business late on in the window and brought a lot of experienced heads in."

"Knowing what Eustace had done at the likes of Birmingham and Blackburn, where he had them in really good positions, and took the plunge to try and save Derby, which he did, and then have a platform to try and take Derby back to where they should be, and that's competing to get back into the Premier League."

"I do feel that whether it's this season they go and do so, they could be one of them teams I think, because the Championship, I just don't think there's been a real consistent level of teams that have gone on and kicked on, and that's where I think Derby find themselves in a real good position."

"You can't get carried away, and I'm sure that John [Eustace] won't be, but they're on a super run of form, and he did say that eventually that form would kick into place because players would get up to speed, and I do think that they've got potential this season, I really do."

"With the squad, if they can keep players fit like Carlton Morris, and possibly add players in the January window, then why couldn't they be part of that play-off push or promotion."

John Eustace looks to have created a well-oiled machine at Derby County

Before the season started, Derby County were tipped to be steady-eddies following their close call for relegation last season. With the 2025/26 campaign seeming as though it would be a season to get back on track and cement their second tier status for yet another year, Eustace looks set to have his side aiming higher than merely mid-table after five wins on the bounce, which could be extended to six with a favourable home fixture against Watford up next on Saturday afternoon.

In terms of personnel, it's vital that the Rams keep the squad intact that is responsible for their unbeaten streak, as any injuries could disrupt the rhythm of the 3-4-3 system. The wing-backs of Callum Elder and Joe Ward have both been in fine form when it comes to being the key creators in the formation despite the pair not being the manager's usual first-choice options.

Their creativity combined with the stern and powerful nature of the likes of Sondre Langas and Matt Clarke have revolutionised Derby's defence as they have only conceded three goals in their last five.

And as for the top end of the pitch, not much has to be said about their star-man Morris, who is already on double digits for goals in just 15 appearances since joining from Luton Town in the summer. Without his contributions in front of goal, conversations of Derby's play-off hopes would most likely not be on people's lips, which emphasises his importance to their chances.