DerbyDerby Countyvs.Sheff UtdSheffield United

While the Rams have won three and drawn one of their four warm-up matches, the Blades have recorded one win, one draw and two losses in pre-season.

Match preview

Having narrowly missed out on the League One playoffs last term, Derby County will be determined to go one better in 2023-24, meaning that promotion is the main aim for Paul Warne and his players.

The Rams finished a solitary point outside the top six last season, despite posting a 15-game unbeaten streak between October and February, with a 1-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the campaign sealing the club's fate.

Aiming to put last season's disappointment behind them as quickly as possible, Derby have enjoyed plenty of success in their recent warm-up matches, picking up three wins and one draw as they prepare for another campaign in the third tier.

After defeating Matlock 2-0, Warne's men were held to a 1-1 draw by Salford City before returning to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Chesterfield, with a 3-0 triumph against Stoke City coming last time out.

Curtis Nelson, James Collins and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing all scored in the first half against Stoke to set their side up for a comprehensive victory, while Warne used the second half to make 10 substitutions.

Sheffield United, on the other hand, are back in the big time having gained promotion to the Premier League last term, picking up 91 points to finish 11 points inside the automatic promotions places.

It is no secret that Burnley ran away with the second-tier title last season, racking up a whopping 101 points, but the Blades managed to register just one victory fewer than Burnley throughout the campaign, underlining their strength.

That said, Paul Heckingbottom will not be overly pleased with his team's pre-season preparations as they gear up for a gruelling Premier League campaign, as Sheff Utd have managed to win just one of their four warm-up games.

Following a 2-0 victory over Chesterfield, the Blades played out a goalless draw with Portuguese outfit Estoril before suffering back-to-back defeats against Rotherham United and Spanish side Girona.

Having failed to score a single goal in each of their previous three friendlies, Sheffield United will be eager to produce an improved performance against Derby, with their final warm-up match scheduled for August 5 against Stuttgart.

Derby County friendly form:

Derby County form (all competitions):

D

W

W

D

L

W

Sheffield United friendly form:

W

D

L

L

Sheffield United form (all competitions):

L

W

W

D

L

L

Team News

Following the departure of stalwarts Curtis Davies and David McGoldrick earlier this summer, Derby County have made a number of signings, bringing in Sonny Bradley from Luton Town and Conor Washington from Rotherham.

Josh Vickers, Joe Ward, Callum Elder, Curtis Nelson and Kane Wilson have also arrived at Pride Park, bolstering Warne's options in every department.

Scottish defender Craig Forsyth is expected to wear the captain's armband on Saturday, with veteran midfielder Conor Hourihane likely to operate in the Rams' engine room.

As for Sheffield United, Billy Sharp, Jack O'Connell and Kyron Gordon were released at the end of the previous campaign, while Enda Stevens joined Stoke on a free transfer.

The Blades have signed Benie Traore from Hacken and Anis Slimane from Brondby, with former Liverpool left-back Yasser Larouci arriving on loan from French side Troyes.

Long-term absentee Rhian Brewster remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, although regulars such as Sander Berge, John Egan and John Fleck are expected to feature from the off this weekend.

Derby County possible starting lineup:

Wildsmith; Forsyth, Nelson, Ward; Bird, Bradley, Hourihane, Smith, Thompson; Mendez-Laing, Collins

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:

Davies; Ahmedhodzic, Egan, Freckleton, Lowe; Seriki, Slimane, Fleck, Berge; Marsh, Osula

We say: Derby County 1-1 Sheffield United

Having maintained their strong pre-season form during last weekend's 3-0 victory over Stoke City, Derby County look set to give Sheffield United a run for their money, although the Premier League newcomers should have enough quality to avoid a third successive friendly defeat.

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