Kenzo Goudmijn’s first-half goal earned Derby a ninth straight home league win a hard-fought 1-0 victory against bottom side Cardiff at Pride Park.
Goudmijn scored the game’s only goal after 28 minutes with a first-time finish from Callum Elder’s low ball into the box to settle the contest after Rams goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom had made a string of fine saves in the first half.
Victory extends Derby’s fine run at home, while Cardiff remain bottom of the table having failed to win any of their opening five league matches.
Cardiff were almost gifted the opening goal early on as Wilfried Kanga looked to pounce on Eiran Cashin’s short back pass, only for Zetterstrom to make a crucial challenge after which he required treatment.
The Bluebirds went close again soon after as Zetterstrom pushed Rubin Colwill’s powerful effort from just inside the penalty area to safety after the visitors won possession high up the pitch.
However, Derby broke the deadlock when Goudmijn finished Elder’s low cross from the left into the bottom right corner from 10 yards after he was left unmarked in the box.
Derby keeper Zetterstrom then produced an outstanding double save to first prevent Cashin’s header from finding his own net and then react quickly to turn Dimitrios Goutas’ follow-up behind from close range.
The Rams almost doubled their lead towards the end of the first half as Elder saw his cross from the right flash across the face of goal and inches past the far post, with Cardiff keeper Jak Alnwick at full stretch.
Derby went close again on the stroke of half-time as Jerry Yates played a superb diagonal ball into the path of former Cardiff man Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, who forced Alnwick into a smart save low down to his right.
Chances were at a premium early in the second half as Cardiff’s Anwar El Ghazi curled a shot well wide from distance after cutting in from the left, while Goudmijn saw his teasing cross from the right evade everyone in the box at the other end.
The game burst into life again just past the hour mark when Yates’ clever flick released Kayden Jackson in the box, with Alnwick equal to the striker’s powerful low effort.
The visitors searched for an equaliser late on as Colwill played in substitute Ollie Tanner down the right-hand side of the area, only for the latter to blaze a shot over the crossbar.
Cardiff forced a late corner after Zetterstrom made an acrobatic save, from which Derby broke on the counter-attack as Ebou Adams beat Alnwick to a bouncing ball with the keeper well off his line.
However, Adams somehow shot wide with the goal at his mercy and an empty net in front of him.
[(SK Slovan Bratislava) Strength]: 1. Coming into the UEFA Europa League Play-off round, SK Slovan Bratislava hope to grab the advantage of advancing in this home game, with full motivation.2. SK Slovan Bratislava defeated MFK Skalica 1-0 at home in the last Slovak Super Liga game. They kept unbeaten in the first 3 league games with 2 wins and 1 draw.3. SK Slovan Bratislava scored in 6 of the last...
[(SC Preussen Munster) Strength]: 1. SC Preussen Munster will play at home in this match. The team must defend their home honor and their fighting spirit is beyond doubt.[(SC Preussen Munster) Weakness]: 1. SC Preussen Munster suffered a defeat in the midweek DFB-Pokal match, being eliminated 3-5 by Hertha BSC after a grueling battle that went all the way to penalties, which is a blow to their mor...
[(Real Betis) Strength]: 1. Real Betis failed to start with a win in the first La Liga game this season. They are eager to win and boost their morale.2. Real Betis' new signing midfielder Rodrigo Riquelme contributed an assist in the first league game, showing decent performances.3. Real Betis scored in each of the recent 6 games, boasting stable offense.4. Real Betis received 10 wins, 7 draws, an...
[(Palmeiras) Strength]: 1. In the first leg, Palmeiras secured a resounding 4-0 away victory over Universitario de Deportes, gaining a huge advantage in the race for advancing. Hosting this game at their home ground, Palmeiras will naturally go all out to avoid being reversed by the opponents, ensuring a smooth advance to the next round and continuing their charge towards the Copa Libertadores tro...
[(River Plate) Strength]: 1. The two teams drew 0-0 in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores Round of 16. Returning to their home ground for this game, River Plate are united in their determination to beat Club Libertad and advance to the quarter-finals, with a strong desire to win.2. Red-hot River Plate kept unbeaten in the last 7 games with 4 wins and 3 draws. They beat Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba...
[(NK Rijeka) Strength]: 1. NK Rijeka, powerhouses in Croatia, have a strong pursuit of honors. After dropping down from the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, the team are eager to prove themselves in the UEFA Europa League, aiming to enhance their stature in European football and bring glory to both the club and their supporters.[(NK Rijeka) Weakness]: 1. NK Rijeka defender Mile Skoric will miss t...
[(KFUM-Kameratene Oslo) Strength]: 1. KFUM-Kameratene Oslo have achieved 7 wins, 5 draws and 6 losses in the league so far this season, scoring 29 goals and conceding 20 in 18 league games, and currently rank 7th in the league standings. The team will play at home in this game with great desire to win.2. KFUM-Kameratene Oslo's major forward Johannes Nunez has performed steadily in the team's front...
[(Vaasan Palloseura) Strength]: 1. Vaasan Palloseura have been in poor recent form. In this home match, they are motivated to rebound.[(Vaasan Palloseura) Weakness]: 1. Vaasan Palloseura drew 0-0 with HJK Helsinki on the road in the last game. They are on a 1-game winless run.2. Vaasan Palloseura were winless in 7 consecutive home games, failing to show their home advantage.3. Vaasan Palloseura co...
[(West Ham United F.C.) Neutral]: 1. West Ham United F.C. recently expressed their desire to sign their upcoming opponents Chelsea's player Andrey Santos, but their offer was rejected. Chelsea informed West Ham that they have no intention of selling the player.2. West Ham United F.C. scored 46 goals in 38 league games last season, averaging over 1 goal per game. However, their offense is still con...
[(Aberdeen F.C.) Strength]: 1. If Aberdeen F.C. can advance to the UEFA Europa League group stage, it would mark a historic milestone for the club. This huge honor will undoubtedly greatly boost the team's fighting spirit.[(Aberdeen F.C.) Neutral]: 1. The two sides have never met before, and there are no relevant track record available for reference at present.[(Aberdeen F.C.) Weakness]: 1. Aberde...
- 1 Liverpool signing Leoni: I want to learn from Van Dijk
- 2 BVB, Monaco and Ajax go for unwanted West Ham midfielder Alvarez
- 3 ngland cricket legend’s granddaughter stuns in bikini
- 4 Alaves vs Levante Prediction for today 17 August 2025 - Football
- 5 Lamela explains retirement decision: It started 11 years ago...
- 6 Estevao Willian set for 'key' Chelsea role after debut vs Palace
- 7 TIPS - Gwangju FC VS Daejeon Hana Citizen
- 8 Emotional Arne Slot admits he had wanted to bring late Diogo Jota on as a substitute in Liverpool's dramatic victory over Bournemouth
- 9 Benjamin Sesko vs Viktor Gyokeres: Man Utd-Arsenal showdown sets early stage for big-money No.9s to show the Premier League what they can offer
- 10 Man United Make Goalkeeper Decision Amid Onana and Bayindir Uncertainty