Derby County will be hoping to continue what has been a fairly successful start to the 2024/25 season.
The Rams have entered the first international break of the 2024/25 season with two wins on the board in four.
Derby County have proven that Pride Park could be a tough place to go for travelling sides this season, and could easily be the difference between the Rams achieving their targets of survival in the Championship.
The Rams showcased their abilities to perform incredibly in their most recent 3-0 win against Bristol City, which saw Kenzo Goudmijn and David Ozoh shine in the centre-of-the-park, whilst Jacob Widell Zetterstrom also got his first clean sheet for the club.
However, Paul Warne’s side have certainly struggled on the road, being defeated at the hands of Blackburn Rovers and Watford so far this campaign, and their form away from home is certainly something that must be solved.
Despite the decent start to the season, some fans still have reservations over the Derby County boss, and the next five fixtures for the Rams will be crucial when dictating whether they will be likely to survive this season.
Derby County next five fixtures
Following the conclusion of the international break, Derby County will host Cardiff City at Pride Park in a Saturday 3pm kick-off.
This will be followed up with a trip to the Steel City as the Rams face off against Sheffield United on the following Saturday for yet another 3pm kick-off.
Following the clash against the Blades, Derby County face a packed week of action that is kicked off at home to Norwich City for an early kick-off on September 28th, and three days later Warne’s side will venture north for a midweek trip to Sunderland.
Derby County’s fifth game will once again be at home, where they will welcome Queens Park Rangers.
Pride Park must be turned into a fortress for Derby County’s winnable games
There is no doubt that Warne will have targeted both home clashes against Cardiff City and Queens Park Rangers as matches to get points on the board, with the pair currently sitting 24th and 12th respectively in the Championship.
Whilst it wouldn’t be deemed as an easily-winnable side for Derby County, they also could pick something up as they host Norwich City.
It will depend on how much the Derby County fans can get behind their team at Pride Park, and if they are able to make it a hostile environment directed towards the opposition, there is no doubt that this could certainly give the Rams an edge.
The away trips to both Sheffield United and Sunderland will most certainly be difficult tests for Warne’s side, and whilst they won’t be expected to come away with either game with much, a point on the road would certainly be successfully regarded at this stage of the season.