MansionBet Match Preview: Derby County (A)

Saturday, January 30th 2021

Dean Holden takes his team to tackle Wayne Rooney's Derby County at Pride Park this afternoon (January 30th, 3pm KO).

In association with City's Principal Partner MansionBet, we take a closer look at the match...

Bristol City are looking to put a run of form together, off the back of two consecutive victories. But Dean Holden knows there will have been lessons to learn from the manner of which they held on to beat Huddersfield Town just a few days ago.

The Terriers bit back in BS3 on Tuesday night but lost out in the 2-1 scoreline, and City can expect similar fighting spirit from Derby County on Saturday, who could be on the verge of a relegation dog fight.

It was a win - courtesy of Famara Diédhiou's double, which earned him a place in the EFL Championship team of the (mid)week - which means City are now unbeaten at home in their last four games, but they head to Pride Park seeking their first three points on the road in the league since QPR at the start of December.

The Rams are two points from the bottom three heading into the weekend’s fixtures, with the Rams unable to find firepower displayed by now manager Wayne Rooney from his playing days.

To make matters more fearful is the fact the bottom three have games in hand, not least Rotherham who have two, and sit only place behind in 22^nd.

It’s quite the job for Rooney in his first managerial role, who also has concerns about the club off the field.

But for troubles off the pitch, now is about what the club do on it, and they hope to strengthen before Monday’s transfer deadline, having been linked with Sheffield United’s Billy Sharp if headlines are to be believed.

Derby have won just six games all season but in mirrored form to City, they return to Pride Park off the back two consecutive victories. Both of those have come in the league after a shock Emirates FA Cup Third Round exit to Chorley.

MATCH DETAILS

Where: Pride Park
When: Saturday, January 30th 2021
Competition: Sky Bet Championship

Referee: Darren England
Assistants: Ian Hussin and Harry Lennard
Fourth official: Dean Whitestone

DOWN MEMORY LANE

Derby County 1-2 Bristol City
Pride Park
Tuesday, November 3rd 2020
Sky Bet Championship

Two first-half goals were enough to seal City their first win at Pride Park for eight years.

Former Derby man Andreas Weimann kept a cool head to finish from close range and Josh Brownhill pounced just before the break to give the Robins the half-time advantage.

The Rams pushed for a way back into the game but City dealt with everything thrown at them until Jack Marriott came off the bench to pick out the top corner late on.

It led to a tense finale but Dan Bentley was in fine form to keep out a shot destined for the bottom-corner, in one of the last kicks of the game.

HEAD TO HEAD*

Derby County v Bristol City

Played: 75
City won: 21 (28%)
Drew: 18
City lost: 37

Bristol City goals: 35
Derby goals: 17

Bristol City top goalscorers: Famara Diédhiou (8)
Derby top goalscorer: Colin Kazim-Richards (4)

Bristol City most assists: Antoine Semenyo (7)
Derby most assists: Kamil Jozwiak, Martyn Waghorn (2)

Bristol City clean sheets: 9
Derby clean sheets: 9

League positions
Bristol City: 8th (39 points), Championship
Derby: 21st (25 points), Championship

*All competitions unless stated