Take a look at the final few fixtures of the League One season, with Derby County, Bolton and Peterborough fighting it out for the top two.
Derby County put the fate of their League One promotion hopes back into their own hands over the weekend. A trio of set-pieces saw the Rams win 3-0 in front of a packed-out Pride Park Stadium, adding another three points to their tally.
Results elsewhere were kind to Paul Warne‘s side, as Barnsley’s 2-2 draw with Reading meant that the Tykes could no longer catch them. Peterborough collapsed in a 5-0 defeat away at Oxford United, putting a huge dent in their hopes.
Bolton are the closest rivals to Derby at this moment, but they could only manage a 1-1 draw with league leaders Portsmouth. With Pompey just one point away from securing a place in the Championship, it’s still all to play for in regards to second.
It’s advantage Derby, with two wins in their final two marking a return to the second tier. So with that said, here’s a look at the next set of Derby County fixtures compared to their League One promotion rivals.
Derby County fixtures
Cambridge United (A) – April 20
The final away game of the season is against Cambridge United, who are nearing safety for the campaign. There have been several managerial changes, but Garry Monk could help secure the club’s league status in midweek against Bristol Rovers, or against the Rams depending on results.
Current position: 18th.
Current form: Two wins, one draw, two defeats.
Previous meeting: Derby County 0-0 Cambridge United – 30 September, 2023.
Carlisle United (H) – April 27
Former Derby player and coach Paul Simpson will bring his Carlisle United side to Pride Park on the final day of the season. The Cumbrians have already suffered relegation to the fourth tier but will be looking to end their season on a high.
Current position: 24th.
Current form: Two wins, zero draws, three defeats.
Previous meeting: Carlisle United 0-2 Derby County – 23 September, 2023.
Bolton Wanderers fixtures
Shrewsbury Town (H) – April 16
Port Vale (H) – April 20
Peterborough (A) – April 27
Current form: Two wins, two draws, one defeat.
Peterborough United fixtures
Fleetwood Town (H) – April 16
Bristol Rovers (A) – April 20
Cheltenham Town (A) – April 23
Bolton Wanderers (H) – April 27
Current form: Two wins, zero draws, three defeats.
Our verdict
With yet another twist in the promotion tale, it’s just a few more matches of football until the League One campaign draws to a close. Derby hold a clear advantage at this stage, knowing that two wins will get them over the line.
On top of that, both Bolton and Peterborough have to play extra games just to get those points on the board to catch up, with which there’s no guarantee over results. It means that, as much as the Rams will be hoping for dropped points in the midweek games for their rivals, it will still be on them to finish the job anyway.