Take a look at the final few Derby County fixtures compared to Bolton, Peterborough and Barnsley in the League One promotion race.
The fate of Derby County‘s League One promotion hopes are now out of their hands. The Rams were unable to display a clinical edge away at Wycombe Wanderers, resulting in a 0-0 draw and one point each.
Results elsewhere now mean that Paul Warne is relying on a helping hand from other teams in the final few fixtures. With Portsmouth now only one win away from sealing promotion as champions, the race for second is still heating up.
The fixture run-in could still play a key role in the final few weeks, so with that said, here’s a look at the final Derby County fixtures compared to their League One rivals.
Derby County fixtures
Leyton Orient (H) – April 13
Leyton Orient have impressed on their return to League One this campaign and will be looking to finish on a high note. Playoffs appear too far to grasp, but the club will be looking to make a statement when they visit Pride Park.
League position: 10th.
Current form: Two wins, two draws, one defeat.
Previous meeting: Leyton Orient 0-3 Derby County – 9 December 2023.
Cambridge United (A) – April 20
The final away game of the season is against Cambridge United, who are still just about in the relegation picture. Five points separate them from the bottom four though, meaning some positive results ahead of this game could secure them survival.
League position: 19th.
Current form: Two wins, zero draws, three defeats.
Previous meeting: Derby County 0-0 Cambridge United – 30 September 2023.
Carlisle United (H) – April 27
Carlisle United have already suffered relegation back to League Two for next season. Former Derby player and coach Paul Simpson will be looking to leave the division on a high note though, which could spoil a potential Rams promotion party.
League position: 24th.
Current form: Two wins, one draw, two defeats.
Previous meeting: Carlisle United 0-2 Derby County – 23 September, 2023.
Bolton fixtures
Portsmouth (H) – April 13
Shrewsbury Town (H) – April 16
Port Vale (H) – April 20
Peterborough (A) – April 27
Current form: Three wins, one draw, one defeat.
Average league position of opposition: 11th.
Peterborough fixtures
Oxford United (A) – April 13
Fleetwood Town (H) – April 16
Bristol Rovers (A) – April 20
Cheltenham Town (A) – April 23
Bolton Wanderers (H) – April 27
Current form: Three wins, zero draws, two defeats.
Average league position of opposition: 14th.
Barnsley fixtures
Reading (H) – April 13
Portsmouth (A) – April 16
Blackpool (A) – April 20
Northampton Town (H) – April 27
Current form: One wins, one draw, three defeats.
Average league position of opposition: 9th.
Our verdict
It’s still all to play for in League One, despite Derby giving up their advantage to the teams around them. The Rams have some relatively favourable fixtures remaining and points on the board, meaning a clean sweep of victories could be enough to seal promotion.
Bolton have a lot of home games ahead, which gives them a slight advantage, but clashes with Portsmouth and Peterborough will test them. The Posh themselves have a busy schedule which includes a mix of teams at the top and the bottom at a tricky time of the season.
Barnsley need a dramatic turn of form and some dropped points above them to have a hope of landing top two.