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

Pompey do not have much to play for in terms of league position, but they will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to 10 matches.

Match preview

After being relegated from the Championship last season, Derby remain in the hunt to return to the second tier at the first time of asking.

The Rams followed a 2-1 away win over Exeter City with another narrow victory in Saturday's home game against Burton Albion.

David McGoldrick dispatched his 63rd-minute spot kick to guide the Rams to a 1-0 win that extended their unbeaten run to five matches.

The crucial three points moved Paul Warne's side into the final playoff position with two games left to play in the 2022-23 season.

Derby could secure their place in the playoffs on Saturday if they can beat Portsmouth and seventh-placed Peterborough United drop points against Bristol Rovers.

Portsmouth, meanwhile, ended a run of four consecutive draws with a narrow 1-0 home victory over Accrington Stanley.

Joe Pigott scored the winning goal in the 75th minute to secure all three points, moving Pompey up one place to eighth position.

With seven points separating them from Derby, John Mousinho's side are unable to reach the playoffs, but they will be keen to finish as high as possible.

Having avoided defeat in each of their previous nine matches, Pompey will also be looking to carry their unbeaten run into the summer break.

Although the visitors are unbeaten in five away games, their last three matches on the road have all finished in draws.

Derby County League One form:

L

W

D

D

W

W

Portsmouth League One form:

W

D

D

D

D

W

Team News

Derby defender James Chester has been sidelined since October, and Warne has revealed that he is unlikely to feature again this season.

The Rams are also unable to call upon Tony Springett, who has an outside chance of returning for the playoffs should Derby finish in the top six.

As Derby look to retain their place in the playoffs, Warne could be tempted to opt for consistency and select the same lineup for a third consecutive game.

As for the visitors, they remain without the services of Zach Swanson, Ronan Curtis, Denver Hume and Jay Mingi, who are all sidelined with injury issues.

After serving a four-match suspension, Joe Morrell will return to the matchday squad, but he may have to settle for a place among the substitutes.

Pigott came off the bench to score the winner against Accrington, and he could be rewarded with a place in Saturday's starting lineup.

Derby County possible starting lineup:

Wildsmith; Forsyth, Davies, Cashin; Knight, Bird, Hourihane, Roberts; Mendez-Laing, Sibley, McGoldrick

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:

Macey; Rafferty, Bernard, Towler, Ogilvie; Lowery, Pack; Lane, Pigott, Jacobs; Bishop

We say: Derby County 1-1 Portsmouth

The two sides played out a goalless draw when they met in November, and with both sides proving tough to beat in recent weeks, we think that Saturday's meeting could also finish all square.

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