With just seven games remaining of the Championship season, securing points is becoming increasingly important with each match, especially for the eight clubs who are vying for a top-six spot.

Second-placed Watford sit just a point behind leaders Bournemouth but defeat at Derby County on Friday would not only see their bid for automatic promotion weaken but it would also allow Derby the chance to close the gap on them to just two points.

Derby County

At one stage of the season, it appeared as though Derby were perfectly positioned to mount a challenge on the top two, but the Rams' recent form has left them focused on making sure of a place in the playoffs.

The East Midlands outfit have recorded just two points from six games, a run which has seen them fall to fifth place, but their recent slump has been due to bad luck as much as it has to poor form.

Steve McClaren's side looked home and hosed when leading Birmingham City 2-0 at the end of 90 minutes, only to somehow concede twice during added-on time to draw 2-2 with the Blues.

In their last fixture with Wolverhampton Wanderers, County frequently threatened in the final third, but the referee's failure to send off Danny Batth and goalkeeper Lee Grant's calamitous mistake saw the club fall to a 2-0 defeat.

In general, the club have struggled since the injuries to strike duo Chris Martin and Darren Bent, but the return to full fitness of Bent should boost their chances of finding the result that they require to stay in control of their own fate.

However, their disappointment in front of goal has coincided with just one clean sheet being recorded since the start of February, and a balance must be found against an offensive-minded Watford team.

Recent form: LLDDLL

Watford

Watford make the trip to the iPro Stadium on the back of their first defeat in seven games after conceding a late goal to Ipswich Town at Vicarage Road.

However, the manner of their setback is unlikely to deter the Hornets from remaining on the front foot in their pursuit of promotion to the top flight, and star striker Troy Deeney will remain confident of continuing his hot streak in front of goal despite being denied for the first time in seven games.

After the manager upheaval at the start of the campaign, Slavisa Jokanovic has done superbly to stabilise the club's results before leading them on a run of form that has taken them to within one point of the lead in the Championship standings.

Watford have developed a reputation for either winning or losing games - they've drawn just once in their last 25 league fixtures - but recording points on a consistent basis has enabled them to take advantage of slip-ups by their nearest challengers.

Derby boast one of the best home records in the division, but Watford make the trip having put together 10 wins on the road, and have not experienced a loss on their travels since losing to Bournemouth on January 30.

However, with this fixture taking place in the evening, Watford could find themselves under pressure to maintain at least second place if Norwich City and Middlesbrough can earn three points earlier in the day.

Recent form: WWDWWL

Team News

Derby striker Chris Martin could be fit to return to the squad for the first time since the middle of February, but the 26-year-old would likely have to make do with a place on the bench.

Jeff Hendrick, who was injured shortly before the international break, could also return to hand McClaren a boost ahead of the game.

Goalkeeper Lee Grant will keep his place, despite his error at Molineux, while Jesse Lingard will be assessed after spending time with the England Under-21 side.

Watford will be without defender Joel Ekstrand for the rest of 2015 after he suffered a serious injury against Ipswich in the club's last game.

He is expected to be replaced by Gabriele Angella in the centre of defence, while Matej Vydra is pushing for a start further forward.

Derby County possible starting lineup:
Grant, Christie, Keogh, Albentosa, Forsyth, Hughes, Bryson, Russell, Ince, Lingard, Bent

Watford possible starting lineup
Gomes, Motta, Cathcart, Angella, Hoban, Tozser, Watson, Layun, Guedioura, Ighalo, Deeney

Head To Head

Recent fixtures between the two teams have been dominated by Derby, with the Rams winning four of the last five games that have been played both home and away.

That trend remains the same when the iPro Stadium has been the venue, with the home side coming out on top five times in six meetings since 2008.

The reverse fixture at Vicarage Road was played in November, with a late strike from Craig Bryson proving the difference as Derby ran out 2-1 victors to inflict a third successive defeat on their hosts.

Video Preview

Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:

We say: Derby County 1-1 Watford

Despite their setback in their last fixture, Watford are the favourites to win on Friday evening, but Derby have it all to do to prove to their home supporters that they can still mount a late bid for an automatic promotion spot. We expect this match to be played at a lively pace, and the competitive nature of the contest could see the match end in a draw.