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

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Derby County and Wycombe Wanderers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

There is a key battle at the bottom of the Championship on Saturday as Derby County host Wycombe Wanderers in the first ever meeting between the two sides.

The Rams are rooted to the foot of the table with just six points to their name, while the Chairboys sit in 22nd on nine points.


Match preview

Middlesbrough's Britt Assombalonga celebrates scoring against Derby County in the Championship on November 25, 2020© Reuters

It was another dismal showing from Derby in midweek as they lost 3-0 to Middlesbrough, the fourth game in a row in which they have both lost and failed to score.

The club's co-caretaker manager Liam Rosenior questioned the team's attitude, desire and passion in a performance which he labelled "unacceptable".

The Rams appear no closer to finding a new permanent boss to replace Phillip Cocu, but are desperate for their horrendous form to change. No team has scored fewer goals (five) and only Coventry City have conceded more.

They have won just once all season – away from Pride Park – and are six points adrift of safety.

It is a precarious position that Saturday's opponents Wycombe were expected to be in at the start of the campaign, and indeed many onlookers feared the worst for the Chairboys when they lost their opening seven matches.

Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth pictured in September 2020© Reuters

However in recent weeks they have proved that they are ready to fight for their Championship status in their first ever season at this level.

Gareth Ainsworth's side drew 0-0 with Huddersfield Town on Tuesday evening in a game of a few chances, but the Chairboys once again showed the character needed to grind out a result.

It was a second clean sheet in a row for Wycombe following their goalless draw with Brentford last weekend, and they have now lost just once in their last six matches.

Ainsworth may view the trip to Pride Park as a big opportunity to move out of the bottom three for the first time since the opening day, particularly as Coventry – three points better off in 21st – travel to league leaders Norwich City.

However Wycombe have the second worst away record in the Championship – winning one and losing five of their six games on the road so far.

Derby County Championship form: DDLLLL

Wycombe Wanderers Championship form: DWWLDD


Team News

Derby County's Wayne Rooney pictured in October 2020© Reuters

Martyn Waghorn was taken off at half time against Middlesbrough after picking up a knock and is a doubt for Saturday's game.

This could mean that Wayne Rooney moves up front, with Derby's only other fit striking option being Under-23s top scorer Jack Stretton, who was named on the bench for the first time in midweek.

Curtis Davies, Louie Sibley and Duane Holmes could all come into the side after the thrashing at the Riverside Stadium.

Gareth Ainsworth has admitted that he will have to rotate his squad in the coming weeks to cope with the Championship's busy schedule.

Adebayo Akinfenwa may be given a rest after playing 90 minutes in the last two games, while Fred Onyedinma could also drop to the bench.

Ainsworth has said that Garath McCleary is edging closer to full fitness after the winger signed for the club at the start of November following three months as a free agent.

Derby County possible starting lineup:
Marshall; Wisdom, Davies, Clarke, Buchanan; Bird, Knight; Holmes, Sibley, Lawrence; Rooney

Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Allsop; Grimmer, Knight, Stewart, Jacobson; Gape, Adeniran, Thompson; McCleary, Samuel, Horgan


SM words green background

We say: Derby County 1-1 Wycombe Wanderers

Both sides will see this as a winnable fixture, so could ultimately be left disappointed by a point apiece. Derby need a response following their performance on Wednesday night, but Wycombe will not make it easy for them as the Chairboys look to amend their poor away record.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


ID:423858:cQx

Who will win Saturday's Championship clash between Derby and Wycombe?

Derby County
52.5%
Draw
33.9%
Wycombe Wanderers
13.6%
59
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Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth pictured in September 2020
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Wycombe progress pleases Gareth Ainsworth after Huddersfield stalemate
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Norwich CityNorwich169432115631
2Bournemouth1686229161330
3Reading169342619730
4Swansea CitySwansea168531910929
5Stoke CityStoke168442318528
6Brentford167632415927
7Bristol City168351916327
8Blackburn RoversBlackburn1674531191225
9Watford156631812624
10Middlesbrough156631610624
11Cardiff CityCardiff166552113823
12Luton TownLuton166461420-622
13Huddersfield TownHuddersfield166372022-221
14Millwall164841313020
15Preston North EndPreston166282225-320
16Birmingham CityBirmingham164751214-219
17Barnsley165471721-419
18Queens Park RangersQPR164571724-717
19Coventry CityCoventry164571826-817
20Rotherham UnitedRotherham163491523-813
21Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest16349919-1013
22Wycombe WanderersWycombe16259923-1411
23Derby CountyDerby16259822-1411
24Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds16367915-69

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