Derby County kicked off the season as one of the favourites to be relegated come May.
Paul Warne was able to secure promotion to the Championship with the Rams in the 2023/24 season.
But with a limited transfer budget and the cost of quality players much higher, the Derbyshire outfit are expected to struggle in the current campaign.
Derby County had an 18.5 percent chance of getting relegated at the start of the season, which was not surprising given their squad at the time.
However, Warne has since had a fairly decent summer transfer window with key players brought in across the pitch.
Midfield was a particularly weak area for the Rams heading into the current season but several new faces have now strengthened that position, with Ben Osborne impressing since his free transfer over the summer.
Derby have gone on to win two and lose two of their opening Championship fixtures, leaving them 10th in the table.
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How Derby County can avoid Championship relegation
Despite securing six points from a possible 12, the threat of relegation still looms at Pride Park.
Derby beat Middlesbrough 1-0 but that victory only came about thanks to a huge Isaiah Jones error and some poor finishing on Boro’s part.
The defeat to Blackburn Rovers will no doubt have set alarm bells ringing in Derbyshire as well.
Now, as per Derbyshire Live, Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has told Warne that Derby must keep up their fantastic home record and start picking up a few points on the road if they are to cement themselves as a Championship club once more.
He said: “They’ll fancy their chances of winning the home games against Cardiff and Norwich and those victories against Middlesbrough and Bristol City will have given them a belief that they belong and can compete at this level.
“I don’t think they’ve played particularly well in three of their four games but to get two wins and play well against Bristol City will give everyone associated with Derby County a shot in the arm.
“Derby’s home form will be enormous for them and their away form doesn’t need to be absolutely amazing, they just need to be picking up points here and there because the goal for them is consolidation as a Championship club.”
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How many points will Derby County get from their next five Championship fixtures
Derby’s upcoming run of Championship fixtures is expected to prove crucial in setting the tone for their 2024/25 season.
After the international break, the Rams face off with Cardiff City at Pride Park and are favourites to beat the Welsh side who are currently winless so far this term.
An away meeting against recently-relegated Sheffield United is expected to prove a much tougher test, while Derby will fancy themselves at home to Norwich City the game week after.
The Rams begin their October away to Sunderland, with Warne likely well aware his side have little chance of getting a result there.
But another home clash versus Queens Park Rangers, who are currently 12th, is another winable game.
So, with three fairly kind home fixtures on the horizon, there is a real chance Derby earn nine points from their next possible 15.