City to play Derby County at Pride Park in the pre-season
TEAMS’ LAST COMPETITIVE MEETING WAS IN FA CUP IN 2017 WHEN FOXES WON REPLAY
LEICESTER City will travel to crisis club Derby County in pre-season, with their schedule for the summer nearly complete.
City have announced they will take on the Rams at Pride Park on Saturday, July 23, the match kicking off at 1pm.
That is the same day they will travel to Championship side Preston for a 3pm kick-off, with Brendan Rodgers’ squad to be split into two to allow players to get more game time.
Derby will be playing in the third tier for the first time since 1986 in the upcoming campaign following their relegation last term.
The long-term future of the club is still uncertain, with a buyer not yet confirmed following the breakdown of the deal led by American businessman Chris Kirchner this month.
As things stand, Derby have just seven contracted players, but administrators Quantuma are trying to secure short-term funding to allow Wayne Rooney to strengthen his squad.
The EFL is believed to be willing to lift a transfer embargo on the club in the interest of the competition’s integrity, albeit they will be subject to strict rules.
City will hope they can put out a decent side come July 23 to give them a test as they prepare for the new Premier League season.
It is the fifth friendly to be confirmed by the club, with just one more expected before the schedule is complete.
Rodgers’ side start against Notts County behind closed doors at their Seagrave training base on July 9, and then face sister club OH Leuven in
Belgium on Saturday, July 16, following a week away in Evian.
After the Preston and Derby double-header, they will conclude their pre-season against Sevilla at home on Sunday, July 31.
City last played Derby in the FA Cup in 2017, winning a fourth round replay 3-1 in extra-time thanks to goals from Andy King, Wilfred Ndidi, and Demarai Gray. The first game had ended 2-2 at Pride Park.