Why Derby County will have a keen eye on Crystal Palace v Wolves this weekend | OneFootball

Wolverhampton Wanderers are closing in on Derby County's record low of 11 points in a Premier League season, and may overtake that tally this weekend.

Derby County face Watford away from home on Saturday afternoon, as they go in search of their fourth successive victory on the road, with John Eustace's side having the opportunity to strengthen their grip on the top six.

However, this weekend also sees Crystal Palace face Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League. While on paper, this is a game that will not attract too much interest from Rams supporters, this Sunday, there is perhaps an added reason for fans to keep an eye on proceedings at Selhurst Park.

Wolves have had a really difficult campaign in the Premier League, and they look incredibly likely to return to the Championship for the first time since the 2017/18 season, but they are not going down without a fight after picking up an excellent point against league leaders Arsenal on Wednesday evening.

The West Midlands outfit found themselves 2-0 down against the Gunners, but they fought back to claim a point in the final minute with Riccardo Calafiori turning into his own net and handing Rob Edwards' side a vital point. However, it's a point that Derby fans may not be glad to see added to the tally for the Premier League's bottom team.

Derby County's Premier League record points low could stay this weekend

The Rams' last campaign in the top flight was one that supporters will never forget, but for all the wrong reasons. They were relegated back to the Championship at the first time of asking with just 11 points. No side has ever finished a 38-game Premier League season on fewer.

Southampton came extremely close to matching that record in 2024/25, but they picked up a valuable point against Manchester City that saw them past Derby's dismal record. However, Wolves are still yet to cross the threshold and there is still a chance that they take on the unofficial title of 'worst team in history' this May.

Nevertheless, after their draw with Arsenal, Edwards' side are now sat on 10 points, and another draw this weekend against Crystal Palace will see them go level with the Rams. They still have 11 games to play, and it seems unlikely that they will not pick up at least another two draws, considering their form has got stronger in the last couple of months.

Yet, this is still an extremely disappointing year for a side that had European ambitions just a few seasons ago, and Derby fans will be keenly watching Sunday's clash against the Eagles in the hope that their record could still be handed to another club this campaign.

Derby County had an awful 2007/08 campaign, it still haunts the Rams

The Rams last played in the Premier League 18 years ago, and it was a season that has gone down in infamy at Pride Park. Under Billy Davies and later Paul Jewell, they won just one league match in the entire campaign, with that victory coming against Newcastle United in September 2007.

Derby would not taste the sweetness of three points until the following September in the Championship, with heavy defeats against Arsenal, Aston Villa and Liverpool, among others, showing the true gulf in class between themselves and those higher up the division.

Newcastle failed to beat the Rams that season, with the two sides drawing 2-2 at St. James' Park, but the nightmares of that year are now becoming a distant memory for those involved with the East Midlands outfit.

With Derby on the rise in the Championship right now, Wolves taking their record off them would be the perfect way to potentially return to the Premier League and John Eustace will be keen to ensure his team do make that jump to the top flight.