Already-relegated Derby County head into Saturday's Championship fixture with Bristol City looking to retain their pride ahead of dropping into the third tier.
Meanwhile, the visitors, who have put together a rare three-match unbeaten streak, travel to Pride Park with trying to claim 17th position in the standings their realistic aim for the rest of the season.
Match preview
© Reuters
When Derby's relegation was confirmed on Monday afternoon, Wayne Rooney acknowledged that he felt a feeling of pride rather than overriding disappointment, and it is probably the right attitude to take after such a draining campaign.
Despite all the restrictions and punishments which have come their way, Derby would be in 17th spot had it not been for 21 points worth of deductions, and the reality is that staying in the second tier was always going to be a task which would prove to be too tough.
Away form has done for the Rams, their 1-0 defeat at Queens Park Rangers representing their 14th loss from 22 games on their travels, and you have to go all the way back to January 3 for the last time that they collected a point.
Still, now that the dust has partially settled and a takeover appears to be close to completion, Derby can start to look forward and become optimistic about a new era, one which appears likely to have Rooney still at the helm.
Rooney and his squad will also want to add more points to a startling home record, given the circumstances, with 40 points coming from 21 fixtures at Pride Park.
© Reuters
On paper, facing an inconsistent Bristol City outfit appears to be the perfect fixture on paper, but the Robins deserve credit for their recent upturn in form.
Remarkably, their current three-match unbeaten run is their longest since September, and the streak has been against the odds with games coming at Stoke City and at home to Sheffield United.
Whether it is a last stand from Nigel Pearson and his squad ahead of a potential parting of the ways or form which offers hope for 2022-23, it is long overdue, and Pearson will hope to see 17th spot achieved by the end of the season.
While Bristol City have scored in their last five outings, Pearson will be far more impressed with just two goals being conceded in three games, a strong improvement for a team who possess the third-worst defensive record in the division.
- L
- D
- W
- L
- W
- L
- L
- D
- L
- D
- W
- D
Team News
© Reuters
Derby will have to make do without the suspended Tom Lawrence after the playmaker was sent off for two yellow cards at QPR.
Ravel Morrison should return as a direct replacement for the Welshman, and that may prove to be the only change made by Rooney.
Louie Sibley could also come back into the team on the left flank, taking the place of Jason Knight.
Jay Dasilva is a fitness doubt for Bristol City after his withdrawal against Sheffield United, but Pearson has hinted that the left wing-back could pass a late fitness test.
The Robins boss has the same impression of Antoine Semenyo, which could lead to an unchanged XI being selected for the fixture in the East Midlands.
However, George Tanner, Joe Williams and Andy King are all in contention to return to the squad.
Derby County possible starting lineup:
Allsop; Byrne, Davies, Cashin, Buchanan; Bielik, Thompson; Ebiowei, Morrison, Knight; Plange
Bristol City possible starting lineup:
Bentley; Cundy, Klose, Atkinson; Scott, James, Weimann, Massengo, Dasilva; Semenyo, Martin
We say: Derby County 2-1 Bristol City
For all of their struggles away from home, Derby have been outstanding at Pride Park, and it makes them clear favourites to claim three points from this fixture. While Bristol City possess a greater sense of belief off the back of their recent improvements, the Rams should have enough to come through this game.
Top tip
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Derby County win with a probability of 52.84%. A draw had a probability of 24% and a win for Bristol City had a probability of 23.18%.
The most likely scoreline for a Derby County win was 1-0 with a probability of 10.9%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (9.71%) and 2-0 (9.3%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (11.39%), while for a Bristol City win it was 0-1 (6.68%). The actual scoreline of 1-3 was predicted with a 2.1% likelihood.
