Big Match Preview: Derby County home

MEET THE GAFFER - GARY ROWETT

Boss who has enjoyed an impressive climb since taking over the reins at Burton Albion in 2012. He left the Pirelli Stadium just over two years later to join Birmingham City, with Burton near the top of League Two (and they subsequently secured the title that season).

Rowett took a relegation-threatened Blues side from 21st to tenth place in the Sky Bet Championship in his first season, earning many plaudits.

When he was sacked in December 2016, with Birmingham seventh in the table, there was outcry across the football world. He was only out of work for three months, before signing on the dotted line at Derby.

STAR MAN – JOHNNY RUSSELL

Now in his fifth season at Pride Park, the attacker has made a fine transition to life south of the border since joining from Dundee United, where he was a product of their youth setup.

A Scottish international, Russell is a regular creator of goals for the Rams, but importantly chips in with them as well.

He penned a brand new three-year contract in September 2015 and remains a key part of Rowett’s plans to take Derby back into the Premier League.

MEMORABLE MEETING 1979/80

Bristol City 6-2 Derby County

Garland 6, 85, Pritchard 12, 61, Whitehead 39, Mann 88; Davies 84, Daly 87.

Alan Dicks’ side racked up their record FA Cup win over top-flight opponents as Derby County were slaughtered in a goal-fest at the Gate.

Chris Garland began the scoring after six minutes, heading in Howard Pritchard’s corner kick, and City never looked back.

Pritchard turned goalscorer by stabbing in from close range soon after, before Clive Whitehead’s goal just before the break gave the half-time scoreline a rather one-sided look.

Things went from bad to worse for the hapless visitors, who conceded another to Pritchard on the hour, a fierce strike into the roof of the net.

Rogers Davies pulled a goal back for the visitors, only for Garland to strike again moments later.

Derby managed another consolation strike through Gerry Daly’s effort but City had the last laugh with Jimmy Mann scoring an eighth goal of the game at the death.

Bristol City: Shaw, Tainton, Whitehead, Gow, Rodgers, Merrick, Prtichard, Fitzpatrick, Rithcie, Mann, Garland.

Derby County: McKellar, Emery, Buckley, Daly, S.Powell, Osgood, Clark (Emson), B.Powell, Greenwood, Davies, Moreland.

AND FINALLY...

Officials
Martin Atkinson
Peter Kirkup and Tim Wood
Fourth Official: Chris Kavanagh

Betting (via Sky Bet)
City 7/5
Draw 12/5
Derby 15/8

Match sponsor - ONEPOST