Looking to avoid back-to-back defeats, Derby County will welcome Premier League-chasing Burnley to Pride Park for a Championship battle on Tuesday night.
The Rams’ winning streak was halted by a saddening afternoon in South Wales on the weekend, whilst the Clarets’ top-tier charge continued in the East Midlands.
Match preview
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Following four straight wins in the Championship, Derby County were brought back down to Earth on Saturday afternoon, when the visitors in South Wales suffered a disappointing defeat, with Ji-Sung Eom scoring the game-winning goal off the bench for Swansea City in the second tier.
Nevertheless, new head coach John Eustace has enjoyed a successful spell at the East Midlands outfit to date following his controversial mid-season switch from divisional rivals Blackburn Rovers, with the ex-player winning four of his first eight games in charge.
As a result, Tuesday night’s hosts have propelled themselves out of the relegation zone in recent times ahead of this week’s clash against a promotion contender, with Derby currently occupying 21st spot in the Championship table, ahead of Cardiff City in 22nd courtesy of goal difference.
Despite the quality of the Clarets, the Rams should be relatively confident of picking up a positive result at their base considering that they are in the midst of a three-game winning streak at Pride Park, beating Blackburn, Coventry City and Preston North End by an aggregate scoreline of 6-1.
Getting back amongst the goalscoring action since the arrival of Eustace, Swansea loanee Jerry Yates currently leads Derby’s Golden Boot race boasting eight second-tier strikes, with the former Blackpool man unable to play a part against his parent club on the weekend.
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Last tasting defeat in the second tier at the beginning of November, Burnley extended their unbeaten league run to a staggering 27 matches on Saturday afternoon, when it looked as if playoff-chasing Coventry could be only the third side to conquer the Clarets in the Championship this term.
The Sky Blues got off to a lightning-quick start in the East Midlands as leading marksman Haji Wright fired the hosts ahead inside the opening five minutes, but it was Scott Parker‘s men who enjoyed the last laugh, with a brilliant brace from Jaidon Anthony sealing maximum points.
After winning back-to-back matches since returning from the international break – taking advantage of competitors slipping up in the promotion race – Burnley have climbed to the very summit of the Championship table with six games left to play, two points ahead of third-placed Leeds United.
As shown during their comeback Coventry success at the weekend, the Clarets are highly efficient on their second-tier travels, with Tuesday night’s visitors to Pride Park collecting an eye-catching 42 points from 20 league outings, more than any other side in the division.
Whilst Burnley have consistently broken defensive records this term, there were concerns that Parker’s men were not enough of an attacking threat to breach the top two, but those worries have been eased by recent performances and the winter arrival of Marcus Edwards from Sporting Lisbon.
Team News
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Derby suffered an early blow during the win over Preston on Wednesday, with veteran full-back Ryan Nyambe sustaining a season-ending hamstring injury.
The Rams are also unable to call upon the services of midfielder David Ozoh, who is set for a pre-season return from a thigh problem sustained in March.
The usual absentees remain for Premier League-bound Burnley, with both Mike Tresor and Jordan Beyer yet to feature in the Championship this term.
There could be some rotation from Clarets boss Parker on Tuesday night, when the likes of Zian Flemming, Hannibal Mejbri and Jeremy Sarmiento could enter the XI.
Derby County possible starting lineup:
Zetterstrom; Phillips, Clarke, Langas; Wilson, Adams, Armstrong, Thompson, Forsyth; Jackson, Harness
Burnley possible starting lineup:
Trafford; Roberts, Egan-Riley, Esteve, Pires; Edwards, Cullen, Laurent, Anthony; Brownhill, Flemming
We say: Derby County 0-1 Burnley
Taking control of proceedings at the top of the table, Burnley will be determined to stay in first spot and extend their unbeaten run to 28 league contests.
Winning each of their last three Pride Park battles, Derby are capable at their East Midlands base but should struggle against the Clarets.
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