Take a look at the next five fixtures for all the teams circling the top of the League One table, with Derby County eyeing promotion.
Derby County took a potentially huge step towards League One promotion in their clash with Bristol Rovers. The Rams ran out 3-0 winners at the Memorial Stadium, with goals from Dwight Gayle, Tom Barkhuizen and Martyn Waghorn sealing the victory.
Results elsewhere seemingly went in the favour of Paul Warne‘s side as Barnsley fell to defeat while Portsmouth and Bolton both failed to win. It puts the east Midlands outfit into the driving seat for promotion once more.
There are some big clashes on the horizon for all of those in the mix as the final months of the campaign await. With that said, here’s a look at the next five Derby County fixtures and how they compare to their rivals.
Derby County fixtures
Reading (H) – March 12
Next up for Derby is the first of two home matches in the week as they host Reading at Pride Park. The Royals have struggled with problems away from the pitch that have contributed towards a battle against relegation.
Ruben Selles is more than capable of pulling off an upset though, having already beaten the Rams 1-0 in the reverse fixtures.
Current position: 18th.
Current form: Two wins, zero draws, three defeats.
Reverse fixture: Reading 1-0 Derby County – 23 January, 2024.
Bolton (H) – March 16
Potentially the biggest home match of the season awaits as Derby prepare to host promotion rivals Bolton. Both teams have been guilty of inconsistency in recent weeks, but could put that all aside to take the initiative in the race for the top two.
Current position: 3rd.
Current form: One win, two draws, two defeats.
Reverse fixture: Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Derby County – 2 September, 2023.
Northampton (A) – March 23
A trip to Sixfields follows those two home games, though it is a clash that could be rearranged dependent on international call-ups. Northampton have managed to keep themselves clear of relegation troubles, but are too far from the playoffs to make a real push.
Current position: 11th.
Current form: One win, three draws, one defeat.
Reverse fixture: Derby County 4-0 Northampton Town – 31 October, 2023.
Blackpool (H) – March 29
Easter weekend plays host to two huge fixtures for Derby, as first they host Blackpool at Pride Park. The Seasiders are four points off playoffs and still have a shot at making the top six this season with plenty of games remaining.
Neil Critchley’s side will be far from a walk over either, having recently held Portsmouth to a draw with ten-men.
Current position: 8th.
Current form: Three wins, one draw, one defeat.
Reverse fixture: Blackpool Town 1-3 Derby County – 3 October, 2023.
Portsmouth (A) – April 2
Rounding off this next set of five fixtures is a trip to Portsmouth in early April that could have a whole host of implications at the top. The Rams could easily be able to move top of the table with victory at Fratton Park, as much as they could be searching for three points to keep them in the top two race.
Current position: 1st.
Current form: Three wins, two draws, zero defeats.
Reverse fixture: Derby County 1-1 Portsmouth – 16 September, 2023.
Average league position of opposition: 8th.
The next five matches of the campaign for Derby County could be the most important yet, with a host of top of the table fixtures. At the start of April, the Rams could be top of the league, but equally could be looking towards the final four fixtures needing a miracle.
Portsmouth fixtures
Burton (H) – March 12
Peterborough (A) – March 16
Barnsley (H) – March 23
Wycombe (A) – March 29
Derby County (H) – April 2
Current form: Three wins, two draws, zero defeats.
Average opposition league position: 9th.
Much like Derby’s coming run, Portsmouth will look to their next five as the matches that they need to seal promotion. Pompey have been flying for most of the season, but clashes with Peterborough, Barnsley and the Rams will test their credentials to the fullest.
While defeats in those games could open up top spot for Derby, wins against promotion rivals could be equally as useful.
Bolton fixtures
Oxford United (H) – March 12
Derby County (A) – March 16
Stevenage (H) – March 29
Reading (H) – April 1
Bristol Rovers (A) – April 6
Current form: One win, two draws, two defeats.
Average opposition league position: 9th.
Bolton have struggled for form as of late and will need to turn it around quick if they continue to eye a top two place. A trio of clashes against Oxford, Derby and Stevenage will prove to be a huge challenge that will put them to the test.
Barnsley fixtures
Carlisle (A) – March 12
Cheltenham (H) – March 16
Portsmouth (A) – March 23
Cambridge United (H) – March 29
Burton Albion (A) – April 1
Current form: Three wins, one draw, one defeat.
Average opposition league position: 17th.
Barnsley have a favourable run of fixtures on paper coming up, though it may be the time of year when those relegation threatened teams start to throw everything at survival. A late draw with Bolton before a thrashing at the hands of Lincoln may deflate the Tykes too.
If they can get back on track, there will still be a very decent chance of making the top two though.
Peterborough fixtures
Stevenage (A) – March 13
Portsmouth (H) – March 16
Cheltenham (A) – March 23
Carlisle (H) – March 29
Leyton Orient (A) – April 1
Current form: Four wins, zero draws, one defeat.
Average opposition league position: 12th.
Peterborough United are one of the form teams in League One, having strung together four wins on the bounce. Tough clashes with Stevenage and Portsmouth await, but their run-in looks favourable beyond that.
Our verdict
The League One promotion race continues to swing with every passing game and it’s difficult to predict the next twist in line. For Derby, recent results have put them back in the driving seat, but some consistency will be required in the coming games.
Portsmouth are likely to play a key role in the coming matches as they face a whole host of the top five teams. Recent form will be a concern for both Bolton and Barnsley, though that can change in an instance, as proven by Peterborough.