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

The two teams will meet in the FA Cup for the first time since January 1897 when the Rams cruised to an 8-1 victory in the first round, their biggest-ever win in the competition.

Match preview

Derby extended their unbeaten run across all competitions to 10 matches when they secured an emphatic 4-0 home victory over Accrington Stanley in League One last weekend.

Tom Barkhuizen scored either side of half time while Irish duo Conor Hourihane and David McGoldrick were also on the scoresheet to help the Rams climb up to fourth in the third-tier standings, albeit still 11 points behind the automatic promotion places.

Paul Warne's side have proven difficult to beat in recent months; since losing four of their last five matches in October, the Rams have only tasted defeat once in their last 15 games across all competitions, losing 3-2 on penalties against Liverpool in the EFL Cup.

Derby now turn their attention to FA Cup action as they bid to avoid a third successive third-round elimination, having been knocked out at this stage by Coventry and non-league Chorley in the last two seasons.

In this year's competition, Derby required a first-round replay to beat National League side Torquay - following up a 2-2 draw with a 5-0 home win - before an 88th-minute winner from McGoldrick helped the Rams edge past Newport County by a 2-1 scoreline in the second round.

Derby - who won their only FA Cup back in 1946 - will be confident of success on Sunday as they have won seven of their last eight home encounters against Barnsley, including a 2-1 league victory in August.

Barnsley kicked off 2023 in disappointing fashion as they were condemned to a 3-0 home defeat against Bolton Wanderers in League One last weekend.

The Tykes were dealt a blow after just 10 minutes when defender Mads Andersen was shown a straight red card for a foul inside the penalty area, before Dion Charles converted the resulting spot kick. Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Kyle Dempsey also found the net to end Barnsley's five-game winning streak.

Michael Duff's side remain in the playoffs but have slipped down to sixth place, 12 points behind the top two and two points clear of seventh-placed Wycombe Wanderers with two games in hand.

Putting League One duties momentarily to one side, Barnsley are now aiming to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup for the fourth successive season with a victory against Derby.

The Tykes have beaten lower-league opposition in each of the last three seasons in the third round, coming out on top against Crewe Alexandra, Tranmere Rovers and Barrow, while they edged past Championship outfit Norwich City in the fourth round of 2020-21 before losing just 1-0 to eventual Champions League winners Chelsea in the fifth round that season.

Indeed, Barnsley secured a 3-0 win over Crewe in the second round of this year's competition shortly after beating Bolton 2-1 away from home in the first round, and the 1912 FA Cup winners will now look to reach the fourth round with their first win at Pride Park since November 2020.

Derby County FA Cup form:

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W

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Derby County form (all competitions):

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D

W

D

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W

Barnsley FA Cup form:

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Barnsley form (all competitions):

W

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W

D

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L

Team News

Derby will be without teenager Will Osula due to suspension after he was dismissed just 16 minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute against Accrington.

James Collins and Curtis Davies both missed out last weekend with minor injuries and remain doubtful, while Sunday's clash may come too soon for James Chester who is closing in on a return from a calf problem.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Haydon Roberts and Richard Steadman, who all began on the bench last time out, will be hoping to force their way back into the first XI.

As for Barnsley, Andersen will miss the trip to Pride Park due to suspension, while Tom Edwards (knee) and Adam Phillips (ankle) are both doubtful and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.

Jack Aitchison has not featured since the middle of last month due to "a personal issue" but Duff has confirmed that the attacker is ready for selection this weekend.

James Norwood and Devante Cole, who have scored 12 goals between them so far this season, are expected to continue their partnership up front, while Jordan Williams and Nicky Cadden are set to retain their places at wing-back.

Barnsley recruited Max Watters on loan from Cardiff City on Friday, but it remains to be seen whether he will be in contention to make his debut against the Rams.

Derby County possible starting lineup:

Wildsmith; Smith, Cashin, Forsyth, Roberts; Hourihane, Bird; Mendez-Laing, Knight, Barkhuizen; McGoldrick

Barnsley possible starting lineup:

Collins; Edwards, Cundy, Kitching; Williams, Benson, Connell, Kane, Cadden; Cole, Norwood

We say: Derby County 2-1 Barnsley

The momentum is with Derby heading into Sunday's encounter and they will be regarded as slight favourites to edge themselves through to the fourth round.

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