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

The visitors, however, come into this game sitting 14th in the League One table, and they are unbeaten in their last eight in all competitions.

Match preview

Derby - relegated from the Championship - have struggled to find consistency in League One this season, winning six, drawing three and losing five of their 14 matches so far.

They shared the spoils last time out against Exeter City in Gary Caldwell's first match in charge of the Grecians.

Derby started the first league meeting between the clubs strongly but failed to make the most of some promising situations after Haydon Roberts headed an early chance over, and Conor Hourihane's free kick was turned over the bar by Jamal Blackman.

Paul Warne's men are currently on a run of three consecutive games without a win in all competitions, having lost their previous two outings prior to that draw with Exeter.

They lost 3-1 at home to Manchester City's Under-21s in the EFL Trophy - a result that saw the Rams exit the competition following three matches in Group F.

That was followed up with a 1-0 defeat away at Portman Road to Ipswich Town thanks to a strike from Wes Burns.

Meanwhile, Bristol Rovers' recent resurgence continued in midweek, as they came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against promotion hopefuls Sheffield Wednesday.

Michael Smith struck in time added on at the end of the first half for the Owls, before the visitors equalised on the hour through Josh Coburn.

Joey Barton's side have collected 11 points from a possible 15 in their last five league outings, as well as picking up wins against Crystal Palace's Under-21s and Swindon Town in the EFL Trophy.

While clean sheets remain an issue with just one being recorded in 13 league matches, Rovers are now closer to the playoffs than they are to the relegation zone.

Aaron Collins continues to knock on Rob Page's door ahead of the World Cup in Qatar next month, as the Welshman has hit nine goals and six assists in 16 League One matches this season.

Derby County League One form:

W

W

L

W

L

D

Derby County form (all competitions):

L

L

W

L

L

D

Bristol Rovers League One form:

D

W

W

W

D

D

Bristol Rovers form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

D

D

Team News

Conor Hourihane, Craig Forsyth and Haydon Roberts all came back into the side against Exeter, while James Chester limped off early due to a calf problem.

Curtis Davies and Tom Barkhuizen both look set to miss out following the injuries they picked up against Ipswich Town.

Meanwhile, Josh Coburn was rewarded with a start last time out against Sheffield Wednesday after his impact from the bench against Plymouth Argyle. The Middlesbrough loanee could be given another start here after getting on the scoresheet against the Owls.

James Gibbons was given the nod at right-back over Luca Hoole against Wednesday, after the 20-year-old was withdrawn at half time against Argyle, so Barton could opt for Gibbons again here.

Derby County possible starting lineup:

Wildsmith; Stearman, Cashin, Forsyth; Mendez-Laing, Hourihane, Sibley, Bird, Roberts; Dobbin; McGoldrick

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:

Belshaw; Gibbons, Thomas, Gibson, Gordon; Evans, Rossiter, Finley; Coburn, Loft, Collins

We say: Derby County 1-1 Bristol Rovers

Only one point separates these two sides in the table, so we're anticipating a highly-competitive game at Pride Park.

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