Preview: Cheltenham Town vs. Derby County - prediction, team news, lineups

The Rams are aiming to secure a return to the Championship at the first attempt, while the Robins have more modest ambitions, and will look to put some more breathing room between themselves and the relegation zone.

Match preview

Cheltenham are performing roughly how they would have been expected to prior to the start of the League One season, currently in 18th place, six points clear of the bottom four, and so not in any real trouble at present.

However, if the Robins do not want to become embroiled in a relegation battle, they may have to improved their scoring record soon, as 19 goals in 24 matches is the worst record of any side in the division.

Wade Elliott's side are not in the best of form at the moment, at least in League One, losing three of their last four matches, including a disappointing 2-1 defeat at relegation-threatened Morecambe, which could prove to be costly come May.

While they have struggled at times, Cheltenham do have form of beating some of the better sides in the division, defeating fifth-placed Bolton Wanderers 1-0 back in October, before beating Wycombe by the same scoreline in November, so they will certainly fancy their chances.

Last time out, the Robins found their shooting boots, albeit against a League Two side, running out 3-1 winners against Salford City in the EFL Trophy, with Ryan Broom, Liam Sercombe and Will Goodwin getting on the scoresheet.

Under the helm of Paul Warne, Derby have really started to put a solid run together in recent times, losing just once in their last 16 matches, and that defeat came on penalties after a solid display against Liverpool.

Defensive solidity has been vital for the Rams, and they have now conceded just one goal in their last seven matches, keeping clean sheets in each of their last five to shoot up to fourth in the League One table.

While there is certainly a positive outlook for Derby at the moment, one thing that they will want to improve is their away form, having won just once on their travels in their last six league games, although four of these have finished as draws.

Goals have been hard to come by on the road this term, with Derby posing a record of just 10 goals in 12 away matches, the joint-third lowest amount of any side in the league.

However, the Rams showed no signs of struggling in front of goal in their last match, defeating Barnsley 3-0 at Pride Park to progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Cheltenham Town League One form:

W

L

L

W

L

L

Cheltenham Town form (all competitions):

W

L

W

L

L

W

Derby County League One form:

D

D

W

D

W

W

Derby County form (all competitions):

D

W

D

W

W

W

Team News

With James Collins scoring from the spot against Barnsley, Warne may be faced with a selection dilemma in attack, however David McGoldrick is likely to return to the starting lineup, as he is the club's leading scorer this season.

Korey Smith missed the game against Barnsley with a minor niggle, but the 31-year-old is expected to return at right-back, coming in for the inexperienced Jake Rooney.

Tom Barkhuizen is in fine form in front of goal, scoring three in his last two games, but he was withdrawn as a precaution in the last match, and could be a doubt for Saturday.

After arriving from Stoke City only a few days ago, Will Goodwin got off to the perfect start as a Cheltenham player by scoring on his debut, and he could now be set for his first league start, ahead of Dan Nlundulu.

Alfie May is the Robins' top scorer this season with seven goals, netting two in his last three games, and so he is poised to start alongside Goodwin, with Broom starting just behind, in a creative role.

Cheltenham Town possible starting lineup:

Southwood; Bradbury, Taylor, Long; Jackson, Bonds, Sercombe, Ferry, Broom; Goodwin, May

Derby County possible starting lineup:

Wildsmith; Smith, Forsyth, Cashin, Sibley; Hourihane, Bird, Dobbin, Knight, Barkhuizen; McGoldrick

We say: Cheltenham Town 0-1 Derby County

Derby County's away matches are almost exclusively low-scoring affairs, so this one should be no different, even considering the disparity between the teams in the league table.

Given the fact that Cheltenham have beaten some decent opponents at home this season, it will not be easy for the Rams, who we predict to win by a one-goal margin.

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