Preview: Derby County vs. Millwall - prediction, team news, lineups

Derby County play host to Millwall on Wednesday evening looking to build on their dramatic victory over rivals Peterborough United at the weekend.

At a time when the Rams are five points adrift of safety, Millwall sit in 14th position in the Championship standings, albeit with at least one game in hand on the teams above them.

Match preview

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Derby have been facing monumental games all season, but the stakes felt significantly higher when they played host to Peterborough on Saturday afternoon.

After a sending off apiece, it appeared that the fixture at Pride Park would end goalless, but Louie Sibley's last-gasp goal secured a potentially-pivotal three points for Wayne Rooney's side.

While there would have been an air of frustration in the dressing room after learning of Reading's shock win at Preston North End, the Rams at least remained within a couple of wins of catching the Royals.

All things considered, Derby's form has been nothing more than satisfactory since the turn of the year with 11 points being collected from eight games.

Nevertheless, it has been enough to keep their hopes of the most unlikely of survivals alive, and Rooney will feel that his squad are in a good place to take advantage of another home game.

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Millwall were left frustrated at the weekend when their away fixture at Blackburn Rovers was postponed shortly before kickoff due to the weather and concerns for player safety.

Although the extra rest may benefit the Lions in the short term, Gary Rowett would have wanted to play the game after two successive victories ahead of the trip to Ewood Park.

On the flip side, the East London outfit watched several of the clubs immediately above them fail to win, giving them an opportunity to move into the top half of the table.

Former Derby forward Mason Bennett has impressed for Millwall in recent weeks, contributing three goals from his last five appearances.

Team News

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Derby will have to make do without Tom Lawrence, who is serving a suspension after his red card against Peterborough.

Sibley should return to the side after his winning goal during that fixture, while the Rams are boosted by the return of Richard Stearman.

Despite a strong showing from Eiran Cashin at the weekend, the youngster will likely drop back down to the substitutes' bench.

Millwall boss Rowett will make at least one change to his starting lineup with Benik Afobe dealing with a hamstring problem.

Tyler Burey is in line to partner Bennett in attack, but Daniel Ballard may only be named on the substitutes' bench with Murray Wallace and Scott Malone retaining their places in the team.

Derby County possible starting lineup:
Allsop; Byrne, Davies, Stearman, Forsyth; Bird, Knight, Bielik; Ebosele, Plange, Sibley

Millwall possible starting lineup:
Bialkowski; Cooper, Hutchinson, M. Wallace; McNamara, Mitchell, Kieftenbeld, Malone; J. Wallace; Bennett, Burey

We say: Derby County 1-1 Millwall

Millwall will be well rested after the late postponement at the weekend, something which could benefit their efforts on Wednesday. Nevertheless, we still feel that Derby's desire to avoid relegation will help them earn a share of the spoils at Pride Park.

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