After the hectic midweek FA Cup replay where Derby County had to make a tiring trip to Leicester City, the Rams will next host a struggling Bristol City side in the Championship. Steve McClaren’s men are still very much in the contention for the playoff spot and the boss made his priorities clear after playing the second team in the FA Cup clash.
There were total 18 changes from both the sides from the last weekend’s league games and while the gamble paid off for Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri, McClaren’s team failed to hold on to the game after the first 90 minutes.
They are clearly the favourites to win the next fixture and we expect Derby County to come at full-throttle.
Predicted Derby County XI vs Bristol City
Defence
Scott Carson is expected to replace Jonathan Mitchell to take his position under the bar. The English shot stopper was impressive against Leicester City for the most parts of the game.
The first-choice back four is expected to start this time. Marcus Olsson is expected to take his place replacing Max Lowe. Jason Shackell got a start in the midweek and we expect Alex Pearce to start in the central defence this time alongside skipper Richard Keogh. Cyrus Christie in the right-back position against Leicester City and we expect Chris Baird to start in that position this time.
Midfield
Julien de Sart started in the deep midfield in the midweek game and the Belgian international was quite impressive. He is expected to continue taking his position this weekend too. Both the other defensive midfielders, George Thorne and Will Hughes, are out with injury and McClaren doesn’t have a choice.
Having limited options forced the boss to go with the regular duo of Jacob Butterfield and Bradley Johnson in the advanced midfield position and the duo are expected to start this time. Johnson was replaced by forward Matej Vydra right after half-time as a precautionary measure as the boss had an eye on the weekend game.
Johnson has scored twice and registered one assist from the midfield this season and McClaren badly needs the calm and composed midfield for the rest of the season.
Attack
The attack was hugely ineffective against Leicester City and it was expected as the boss decided to drop his first-choice trio, who have been responsible for most of Derby’s goals. Tom Ince is expected to step in again replacing Abdoul Camara on the right flank and Johnny Russell will replace Ikechi Anya on the left.
Ince has been brilliant this season scoring 10 goals so far and will expect to increase his tally. Derby’s star striker Darren Bent will once again spearhead their attack after he was rested in the midweek with Nick Blackman taking his place.
