Take a look at the upcoming Derby County fixtures in the race for League One promotion, compared to Portsmouth, Bolton, Barnsley and Peterborough.
Derby County continued their good form in League One as they narrowly beat Reading at Pride Park. The Rams dominated the game and came close to scoring in the first half, but were inches away on multiple occasions.
The second half saw an eventual breakthrough as Joe Ward‘s free-kick beat the high line of the away side, allowing Dwight Gayle the time and space to take a touch and fire home his third goal in as many games. That lead didn’t last long though, with an instant response from the Royals through a Sam Smith header.
The away side were handed a huge blow though as Andy Yiadom was given a second yellow card for a trip on Conor Hourihane. Paul Warne‘s side kept pressing for a winner and eventually found it as Gayle steamed through on goal, only to be taken out by debutant Reading goalkeeper Joel Pereira.
A penalty was awarded, with captain Hourihane stepping up and calmly slotting the ball into the back of the net. It registered yet another important three points on a night where Derby’s League One promotion rivals all won.
It keeps the Rams in second, with some huge games now on the horizon in the final stretch. With that said, here’s a look at the next five Derby County fixtures compared to their League One promotion rivals.
Derby County fixtures
Bolton (H) – March 16
Bolton Wanderers are up next for Derby, which is a huge clash in the context of the race for automatic promotion. Ian Evatt’s side have struggled with a mixture of inconsistency and injuries in recent weeks, but a 5-0 thrashing of Oxford United last time out will give them a huge boost.
Current position: 3rd.
Current form: Two wins, two draws, one defeat.
Reverse fixture: Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Derby County – 2 September, 2023.
Northampton (A) – March 23
The next trip away is to Sixfields Stadium to face Northampton Town, who have had a decent campaign so far. The Cobblers are clear of relegation concerns, but appear to far from a playoff push, which may be an ideal tie for the Rams.
Current position: 12th.
Current form: One win, two draws, two defeats.
Reverse fixture: Derby County 4-0 Northampton Town – 31 October, 2023.
Blackpool (H) – March 29
Another home game follows on Good Friday as Derby host a Blackpool team that are still firmly in the hunt for the playoffs. The Tangerines have plenty of quality in their team and with some form picking up, it could be a tough match.
Current position: 7th.
Current form: Three wins, one draw, one defeat.
Reverse fixture: Blackpool Town 1-3 Derby County – 3 October, 2023.
Portsmouth (A) – April 2
Derby then prepare for a huge away trip in front of the TV cameras, with Portsmouth playing host to the tie. Pompey have impressed this season, leading the way for the majority of it and with hopes of closing in on confirming promotion.
With some tough games ahead of them, it’s far from an easy couple of weeks ahead of them in the race for the top.
Current position: 1st.
Current form: Three wins, two draws, zero defeats.
Reverse fixture: Derby County 1-1 Portsmouth – 16 September, 2023.
Wycombe (A) – April 10
Rounding up the next five fixtures is a trip across to Wycombe Wanderers in a huge clash. The Rams have typically struggled against the Chairboys, but will hope to turn around that head-to-head form to move closer to promotion.
Current position: 14th.
Current form: Three wins, zero draws, two defeats.
Reverse fixture: Derby County 1-1 Wycombe Wanderers – 16 December, 2023.
Average league position of opposition: 7th.
Portsmouth fixtures
Peterborough (A) – March 16
Barnsley (H) – March 23
Wycombe (A) – March 29
Derby County (H) – April 2
Shrewsbury (H) – April 6
Current form: Three wins, two draws, zero defeats.
Average league position of opposition: 8th.
Bolton fixtures
Derby County (A) – March 16
Stevenage (H) – March 29
Reading (H) – April 1
Bristol Rovers (A) – April 6
Portsmouth (H) – April 13
Current form: Two wins, two draws, one defeat.
Average league position of opposition: 8th.
Barnsley fixtures
Cheltenham (H) – March 16
Portsmouth (A) – March 23
Cambridge United (H) – March 29
Burton Albion (A) – April 1
Charlton (A) – April 6
Current form: Three wins, one draw, one defeat.
Average league position of opposition: 15th.
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 league position of opposition: 12th.
The verdict
Derby County’s next five fixtures are going to shape their season as a whole, marking the importance of that run. Games against Bolton, Blackpool and Portsmouth will be tough and if they can get through those in second, then there’s a greater chance of landing a promotion place.
Portsmouth and Bolton have equally tough runs coming up, while it appears as though Peterborough and Barnsley could have favourable fixtures on paper.