Derby County will be hoping to build on a promising performance against Nottingham Forest when they host Cardiff City in the Championship on Wednesday evening.
It finished 1-1 in Friday's East Midlands clash, with the Rams unlucky not to claim all three points at the City Ground.
Match preview
© Reuters
Phillip Cocu's position as Derby manager was beginning to be brought into question before the draw against Forest, but the pressure seems to have eased for now with owner Mel Morris publicly backing the Dutchman.
An excellent free-kick from Martyn Waghorn gave the Rams a first-half lead before Lyle Taylor equalised after the break, and then Kamil Jozwiak thought he had scored the winner but teammate Waghorn was judged to be offside and blocking Brice Samba's vision.
Having seen his team put in their best performance of the season, Cocu will hope that the game is a turning point as reports linking Wayne Rooney with the managerial role simply will not go away.
The reality is that Derby still only have four points from a possible 21 and sit in the Championship's relegation zone. Only Wycombe Wanderers have scored fewer than their tally of three goals.
Derby have lost all three of their games at Pride Park so far – failing to score and conceding seven, giving them the worst home record in the Championship. It's fair to say Cocu is fortunate that supporters have not been allowed in to watch.
© Reuters
They host a Cardiff side yet to lose on the road this season, with both of the Bluebirds' wins so far coming on their travels at Nottingham Forest and Preston North End.
It has not quite been the start to the campaign that Neil Harris would have wanted as he aims to build on their fifth place finish in 2019-20.
They drew 1-1 against former boss Neil Warnock and his Middlesbrough side on Saturday, but Harris was left frustrated by his team's lack of quality in the final third as just three of their 17 shots went on target.
That left Cardiff in 15th position, but still only three points below the playoffs, epitomising the close nature of the Championship at this early stage of the season.
For their trip to Derby, Harris may tell his team to kick the ball long as much as possible, with the Bluebirds averaging the highest number of aerial duels won per game in the Championship (35) and the Rams averaging the lowest (15.3).
Derby County Championship form: LLWLLD
Cardiff City Championship form: WLDWDD
Team News
© Reuters
Phillip Cocu could name an unchanged team as he seeks to keep momentum going after the performance against Forest.
Martyn Waghorn's return to fitness has been a huge boost for Derby as he provides the side with a true focal point upfront.
Wayne Rooney is still self-isolating so will once again be absent from the squad.
Jordi Osei-Tutu hobbled off in Cardiff's draw with Middlesbrough so is a doubt for Wednesday night.
With no other recognised right-backs in the squad, the versatile Leandro Bacuna may have to fill in on that side.
The only other Bluebirds change could come in midfield, with Marlon Pack competing with Joe Ralls for a starting place.
Derby County possible starting lineup:
Marshall; Wisdom, Davies, Clarke; Byrne, Shinnie, Knight, Buchanan; Jozwiak, Waghorn, Lawrence
Cardiff City possible starting lineup:
Smithies; Bacuna, Morrison, Nelson, Bagan; Vaulks, Pack; Ojo, Wilson, Murphy; Moore
We say: Derby County 1-1 Cardiff City
Despite possessing some very dangerous attacking players, both teams have been wasteful in front of goal this season. The game should be lively with plenty of chances but could ultimately end all square – particularly as Cardiff are the division's draw specialists.
