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NederlandDerby County head into Saturday's Championship encounter with Middlesbrough sitting in the relegation zone, despite picking up three wins from four matches.
Middlesbrough are without a victory during the same period, a run of results which has left the North-East outfit five points adrift of the playoffs.
Match preview
© Reuters
Derby have endured a stop-start period, seeing their fixture at Rotherham United delayed by 24 hours and a trip to Barnsley postponed at short notice.
Wayne Rooney will feel a sense of frustration having seen his side's momentum derailed by conceding three late goals in the rearranged against the Millers, ending a run of three 1-0 wins in succession.
With the Rams now sitting in the bottom three, Rooney must find a way to get his squad back on track, a task arguably aided by having an extra period of rest.
Possessing a match in hand and sitting just five points adrift of 16th position, Rooney will not be too concerned that Derby are being put under pressure by many of the teams around them.
Nevertheless, the East Midlands side have made a habit of prevailing in fixtures such as the one on Saturday, and failure to do so on this occasion would inevitably break up what has been a settled starting lineup.
While Derby made five loan additions on deadline day, Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock brought in four players during the final week of the transfer window.
After recording just two league wins since December 19, it was acknowledgement that his squad needed shaking up if the club are to compete for a return to the Premier League.
Back-to-back games against Norwich City and Brentford have not helped Boro's bid to made headway up the table, but Warnock will be relieved that the current top two are off the schedule for the rest of the season.
However, Middlesbrough's only goal in 400 minutes of football came courtesy of an own goal, highlighting that improvements in the final third are required as soon as possible if they wish to stay in the hunt for the top six.
Derby County Championship form: LLWWWL
Derby County form (all competitions): LLWWWL
Middlesbrough Championship form: LWLLDL
Team News
© Reuters
Duncan Watmore could be recalled by Middlesbrough boss Warnock having recently made way for the likes of Yannick Bolasie and Neeskens Kebano.
While Dael Fry may come back into contention after a facial injury, Warnock is unlikely to hand an immediate recall to the defender.
Keen to avoid an over-reaction to the defeat at Rotherham, Rooney may select the same side from that fixture.
Patrick Roberts, formerly of Middlesbrough, and Beni Baningime are both options in midfield if Rooney opts to make changes to his Rams XI.
Derby County possible starting lineup:
Marshall; Byrne, Wisdom, Clarke, Buchanan; Bird, Shinnie; Waghorn, Knight, Jozwiak; Kazim-Richards
Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Bettinelli; Fisher, Djiksteel, McNair, Bola; Howson, Morsy; Watmore, Saville, Bolasie; Assombalonga
We say: Derby County 1-1 Middlesbrough
Despite the difference in league positions, Derby will regard themselves as the favourites to win this contest. Nevertheless, we expect Boro to lift their game for this fixture, their new arrivals potentially having a greater impact in the final third.
