Derby County are preparing to host Burton Albion in League One this evening.
Derby County have been in fine form in the league as of late, losing only one of their last eleven games.
However, The Rams were left frustrated when they were knocked out of the Football League Trophy by League Two side Bradford City last time out.
Paul Warne started a reasonably strong team that consisted of the likes of Louie Sibley, Curtis Nelson and James Collins, but were unable to penetrate The Bantams’ defence.
The visitors failed to land a single shot on target, before a goal on the hour mark secured the victory for Bradford.
Derby will be eager to return to winning ways this evening and could potentially climb into League One‘s top two with a victory, with Bolton’s clash with Cheltenham Town suspended at the weekend.
The Rams will be desperate to claim all three points on home soil, but may be forced to make some changes from the team that beat Fleetwood Town.
Here is our predicted starting line-up…
Derby County predicted XI
Josh Vickers retains his place in Derby County’s starting line-up in what will be only his third start in League One this term.
The goalkeeper replaced Joe Wildsmith in the team for the trip to Fleetwood and kept his place against Bradford, though Paul Warne has given little indication over whether the Rams’ number one will come back into the fray anytime soon.
Injury to Kane Wilson may see Derby stick with a three-man defence, with Derbyshire Live reporting that the 23-year-old is likely to miss the game with a hip injury. So Eiran Cashin, Sonny Bradley and Curtis Nelson will keep their place in the backline.
Joe Ward would have been the most likely replacement for Ward, however he is also struggling with a groin problem that could leave him sidelined.
Instead, Tom Barkhuizen could take up the right wing-back spot after claiming five goal contributions from his last seven league games.
Callum Elder starts on the left in his first league start since September, prior to his lengthy spell on the sidelines with a hernia. Craig Forsyth is nursing a calf injury which caused him to miss the defeat to Bradford.
Conor Hourihane and Max Bird continue their partnership in the middle, while Nathaniel Mendez-Laing will look to make it two goals from two after netting against Fleetwood.
Tyreece John-Jules starts on the right, in search of his first goal since the win over Port Vale in November.
James Collins continues to lead the line, with the striker looking to impress as he faces increased competition with the potential arrival of Michael Smith.