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

Despite sitting in the League One relegation zone, Forest Green have the chance to claim a fourth straight competitive victory.

Match preview

Although Derby are unbeaten in their last seven league games, five of those matches have ended all square, and their failure to convert draws into victories will frustrate Paul Warne.

The Rams boss has also seen his side draw their previous three matches in League One, including a 1-1 scoreline against Burton Albion last weekend.

Derby looked to be heading towards a precious victory after James Collins opened the scoring midway through the first-half, but a 79th-minute equaliser from Victor Adeboyejo ensured the Rams had to settle for a point.

They currently sit just outside the playoffs on goal difference, but Warne will know that his team must start picking up victories if they are to finish inside the top six.

While they may be frustrated with their run of draws, Derby can be pleased with their defensive record, with Barnsley the only side that conceded fewer goals than the Rams in League One this season.

At the other end of the table, Forest Green are currently one point adrift of safety, but they are currently enjoying a positive run of form.

They have won their last three matches in all competitions, including a narrow 1-0 victory over Cheltenham Town last weekend thanks to a second-half strike from Myles Peart-Harris.

With Forest Green currently holding the second-worst defensive record in the third tier, they would have been pleased to keep their second clean sheet of the League One season.

Although they have recorded three straight competitive wins, all of those victories took place on home turf, and Ian Burchnall will be well aware that his side needs to improve on their travels.

Forest Green are winless in nine away league games since beating Bristol Rovers on the opening weekend of the season, and they will be looking to claim their second away victory of the League One season on Saturday.

Derby County League One form:

W

D

W

D

D

D

Derby County form (all competitions):

W

W

D

W

D

D

Forest Green Rovers League One form:

D

L

L

D

W

W

Forest Green Rovers form (all competitions):

L

D

L

W

W

W

Team News

James Chester is expected to miss out for the hosts through injury, although Curtis Davies returned from a spell on the sidelines to appear as a late substitute last weekend, and he is likely to be on the bench against Forest Green as the Rams manage his comeback.

After featuring as substitutes against Burton Albion, Haydon Roberts and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing could both be brought into the starting lineup.

Collins will be looking to add to the seven league goals he has scored this season when he features in the forward line alongside David McGoldrick.

As for the visitors, they are still without the services of Reece Brown, while Matty Stevens and Udoka Godwin-Malife are also expected to be unavailable, although the pair have recently returned to training.

David Davis could return from a spell on the sidelines to feature on the bench, while Corey O'Keeffe is expected to come into the side after serving a one-match suspension.

Connor Wickham has top scored for Forest Green in the league this season with six goals, and he will feature in the forward line on Saturday.

Derby County possible starting lineup:

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

Forest Green Rovers possible starting lineup:

McGee; Bernard, Casey, Cargill; O'Keeffe, McGeouch, Stevenson, Boyes; Peart-Harris; March, Wickham

We say: Derby County 3-1 Forest Green Rovers

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