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

Meanwhile, the visitors are winless in their last four outings across all competitions.

Match preview

Derby returned to winning ways last time out in League One, as Louie Sibley inspired the Rams to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Oxford United at Kassam Stadium to secure a crucial win in their pursuit of a playoff place.

Paul Warne's side have ambitions to finish inside the division's top six, but their progress has faltered in recent weeks - the triumph over Oxford marks only Derby's third victory in their last eight games, after three straight away losses at promotion rivals Wycombe Wanderers, Barnsley and Plymouth Argyle had dented County's top-six bid.

However, Warne will be pleased that his team came from behind to win last weekend, especially since Derby had taken the lead in their previous two matches and could only muster a point from both.

The Rams head into the weekend in fifth place, one point ahead of Bolton Wanderers who currently occupy the final playoff place, and they are seven points clear of seventh-placed Wycombe Wanderers, who have a game in hand.

As for Fleetwood, they enter this contest off the back of a 1-1 draw with Port Vale, extending their winless run to four games across all competitions.

Jack Marriott scored his first goal in Fleetwood colours in the 83rd minute to rescue a point for the Fishermen, and cancel out Matty Taylor's opener, in their 11th game in 35 days.

Scott Brown will be pleased that his side showed the fight to come from behind and get a result in the second half, but concerns will be growing about his team's form, as they have not tasted victory since their 1-0 win against Morecambe at the end of February.

The FA Cup defeat to Burnley at the start of the month has since been followed by back-to-back defeats against Cheltenham Town and Wycombe Wanderers, prior to the draw against Port Vale last time out, with Fleetwood only scoring once across those four matches.

A record of 10 wins, 13 draws and 13 defeats from 36 matches has seen the Cods collect 43 points, which is enough for 15th spot in the table, 10 points clear of the relegation zone.

Derby County League One form:

W

L

W

D

L

W

Fleetwood Town League One form:

D

W

W

L

L

D

Fleetwood Town form (all competitions):

W

W

L

L

L

D

Team News

James Chester is unavailable for Derby as he builds up his fitness after spending over four months on the sidelines.

David McGoldrick and Jason Knight both missed the victory against Oxford due to respective hip and ankle injuries, but Paul Warne remains hopeful that both will be fit for the visit of Fleetwood.

As for the visitors, Jack Marriott will be hopeful that he can retain his place as the focus of Fleetwood's attack after scoring his first goal for the club against Port Vale since joining from Peterborough United.

Carlos Mendes Gomes will likely keep his place on the right flank for the Fisherman, as he is the club top scorer in League One with six strikes.

However, the visitors will once again be without long-term absentee Darnell Johnson.

Derby County possible starting lineup:

Wildsmith; Rooney, Davies, Cashin, Forsyth; Smith, Hourihane; Mendez-Laing, Sibley, Dobbin; McGoldrick

Fleetwood Town possible starting lineup:

Lynch; Holgate, Nsiala, Earl; Rooney, Vela, Warrington, Patterson; Gomes, Marriott; Stockley

We say: Derby County 2-0 Fleetwood Town

Derby have one of the best home records in the division this season, picking up 12 wins from their 18 games at Pride Park, so we think they will have enough quality to win this game.

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