Southampton v Derby: promotion play-off stakes at St Mary's | OneFootball

Southampton host Derby County in the Championship at St Mary's Stadium on Saturday, 11 April 2026, with sixth facing eighth and the play-off race tightening.

Southampton and Derby County meet with the top six picture in play after October's reverse fixture finished 1-1.

Saints arrive in form, backing up home wins over Norwich City and Oxford United with a 5-1 victory at Wrexham. Derby have won three of their past five league matches, beating Portsmouth, Birmingham City and Stoke City either side of narrow defeats at Millwall and Coventry City.

On the selection front, the Saints are without Alex McCarthy and Mads Roerslev. The Rams list Callum Elder, Sam Szmodics, Josh Vickers, Rhian Brewster, Jacob Zetterström and Patrick Agyemang as injured, reducing forward options and affecting goalkeeping depth.

Looking at the season trends, Saints average 57% possession with 84.08% passing accuracy and have produced 13 headed goals from sustained crossing. Derby play with 44% possession, boast 880 aerial duels won and a 24.52% open play crossing accuracy, so deliveries into the box could be a route in. Adam Armstrong and Finn Azaz have 11 league goals each, while Carlton Morris leads Derby on 11, with Joe Ward supplying seven assists.

Saints are sixth on 66 points and a win would tighten their grip on a play-off berth. The Rams sit on 63 points in eighth, so victory would take them to 66 points and could push them into the play-off places.