Finally easy games” — Derby County’s next five fixtures compared to Coventry and Middlesbrough in Championship title race

Derby County’s dreams of pushing into the top of the Championship standings have hit a snag. After three successive draws and a 1–0 loss to Preston, the Rams remain off the pace in the promotion race. With rivals vying for every point, Derby’s upcoming fixture list is under fresh scrutiny. Is there any breathing room ahead — or more tough tests?

📅 Derby County’s next five Championship fixtures

Based on the current fixture calendar, the next five league matches for Derby County are (from dcfc.co.uk fixtures list) 

🔍 Fixture difficulty: a mixed bag, not a breeze

The “finally easy games” notion looks optimistic. Here’s how the run shapes up:

QPR at home: A competitive side but Derby will see this as a winnable match if they can assert dominance at Pride Park. Norwich at home: Historically dangerous — Norwich have demonstrated they can be effective on the road. Danger exists. Hull City at home: More favourable on paper, though Hull are capable of surprises. Blackburn away: One of the tougher tests in the sequence — an away trip always adds risk. Leicester at home: Could be among the stiffest in this run — Leicester often challenge at the top of the table, and Derby will need to be at their best.

So, while there are matches Derby might target for three points, it’s far from a “soft” schedule. The visit to Blackburn and the home clash with Leicester are likely to be particularly demanding.

⚖️ Comparing paths: Coventry & Middlesbrough

Coventry City: Their upcoming fixture list appears lighter in difficulty. For example, they host Blackburn and play Portsmouth away.  Middlesbrough: They continue to maintain a challenging slate, including key matches against promotion rivals. 

In short — Derby’s next stretch doesn’t look easier than their competitors. They must pick their moments carefully.

📰 Final word

Derby County can’t afford to treat the upcoming run as a service break. In the congested top-chase, every match counts. Their five fixtures bring a mix of opportunity and danger — and with Coventry and Middlesbrough also pushing, there’s little room for slip-ups.