Derby County will be eager to return to winning ways as they take on Exeter City tonight.
While they still sit in League One‘s automatic promotion spots, Derby County have had a rather inconsistent start to 2024.
The Rams have won four of their nine games in all competitions this year, but remain unbeaten in their last three games.
Exeter City is likely to be a tough challenge, with the Grecians losing only one of their last six games in the third tier.
Derby’s trip south comes days after their draw with Shrewsbury Town, while they will also host Stevenage this weekend.
A midweek fixture means Paul Warne could plan a few changes to keep his team fresh, though he won’t want to risk losing an important three points on the road.
Here is our predicted starting line-up…
Derby County predicted XI
Josh Vickers had earned his place as Derby County’s number one since the turn of the year, however Joe Wildsmith was named in between the sticks for the draw against Shrewsbury Town, with the former nowhere to be seen.
The 28-year-old could keep his place in net for the trip to Exeter City today.
Paul Warne has confirmed that Ryan Nyambe is an injury doubt this evening, having returned to the starting line-up against Shrewsbury following his return from AFCON.
The Namibia international’s absence could make way for Kane Wilson, who had been a regular in Derby’s backline prior to Nyambe’s return.
A flat back four sees Curtis Nelson continue as an ever present figure in the heart of defence. Meanwhile, Eiran Cashin is expected to slot straight back in after he was left out at the weekend as a precaution.
After starting the last three games, we could see Louie Sibley rested this evening. Callum Elder could take his place as a more natural left-back, having been left out of the last three starting line-ups.
A midfield three remains the same as against Shrewsbury Town, with Ebou Adams making his third appearance alongside Max Bird and Conor Hourihane.
Tom Barkhuizen has four goals and three assists to his name since December, but was left out of the team against Shrewsbury. The winger could make his return in place of ‘fantastic’ Joe Ward this evening.
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing will be eager to pick up his fifth goal contribution in four games from out wide, while James Collins will be searching for his first since the win over Cheltenham last month.