Derby County face a tough away trip to Sheffield United for their latest Championship fixture.
Paul Warne has seen his side get their 2024/25 Championship season off to an excellent start.
The Rams were expected to be in a relegation scrap this term but their early form suggests that will not be the case.
Derby County beat Cardiff City 2-0 in their last league clash, seeing them climb up to eighth in the Championship table.
| Position | Team | PlayedMP | WonW | DrawnD | LostL | ForGF | AgainstGA | DiffGD | PointsPts |
| 6 |  Sheff UtdSheffield Utd | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 9 |
| 7 |  Oxford UnitedOxford United | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 9 |
| 8 | DerbyDerby | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 9 |
| 9 |  LeedsLeeds | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 8 |
However, the newly promoted outfit are now set for arguably their toughest test of the campaign so far.
Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United are yet to lose a single match this term, winning three and drawing two of their opening five Championship fixtures.
The Blades’ recent points deduction means they are actually level on points with Derby right now, but it is clear they are currently in much better form.
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Sam Parkin drops scoreline prediction for Sheffield United v Derby County
Derby are unbeaten at Pride Park this season and are yet to concede a goal when playing on home soil.
However, their away record since their return to the Championship does not make for great reading.
They most recently lost to Watford and Derby were hammered 4-2 by Blackburn Rovers on the opening day of the season.
Now, speaking on the Championship Check-In podcast ahead of the weekend, Sam Parkin has backed Derby to fall to defeat by the same scoreline when they travel to Yorkshire on Saturday.
He said: “I’m going to give Derby a couple of goals. I’m going to go for lightning to strike twice and them to repeat, unfortunately, what happened at Ewood Park opening night.
“I’m going to go for Sheffield United four Derby two.”
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Derby County must improve one thing when they play Sheffield United
Warne and his players should be pleased with how they have begun 2024/25 and how they have performed at home.
Three wins on the spin is quite the record for any team in the Championship, especially one that was plying their trade in League One last year.
However, if Derby want to ensure they are not sucked into a relegation battle, their away record must improve.
One of the ways this could happen is by their centre-forwards starting to chip in with some much-needed goals.
Jerry Yates is leading the line for the Rams following his loan move from Swansea City but is yet to get of the mark in his first four appearances.
Derby have struggled to keep clean sheets away from Pride Park and it is now clear they are going to have to start scoring a lot more if they are to finally pick up a point on the road.
If Yates cannot step up in this regard, Warne should unleash Dajaune Brown vs Sheffield United, after the 18-year-old netted twice in an U21 fixture in midweek.