Preview: Derby County vs. Brighton & Hove Albion

Derby County will look to get back to winning ways when they host fellow playoff hopefuls Brighton & Hove Albion at the iPro Stadium on Saturday.

Derby have seen their fantastic form come to a shuddering halt in recent weeks and they are still without a victory in 2014 having ended last year with a nine-match unbeaten streak.

The Rams have lost three out of three in all competitions since the New Year, the most recent of which was a comprehensive 4-1 defeat at the hands of league leaders Leicester City last Friday.

However, Steve McClaren's side are still sitting comfortably in fourth in the Championship table, six points behind the automatic promotion spots and six clear of seventh.

They have lost just one of their last eight home matches in the league, although that defeat was their most recent Championship appearance at the iPro as Wigan Athletic won 1-0 on New Year's Day.

The hosts will once again be without Richard Keogh and Paul Coutts through injury, while Johnny Russell is a doubt for Saturday's match having missed the last two games.

Brighton joined Derby in the top six last weekend as their 1-0 victory over Birmingham City, combined with other results going their way, lifted them into the playoff spots.

The Seagulls have been in fine form over the last few months following a tricky start to the season, losing just once in their last eight matches and twice since the start of October.

Their away form has been impressive too, with just one defeat in their last seven games. They have picked up 19 points on their travels this season, just one fewer than they have managed at home.

Victory could see them leapfrog Nottingham Forest into fifth, but they will have to do it without Andrew Crofts and Craig Mackail-Smith, while Gordon Greer is also a doubt.

Oscar Garcia will not be able to call upon the services of Adam El-Abd as the defender joined Bristol City for an undisclosed fee on Thursday, but wantaway midfielder Liam Bridcutt is expected to start despite handing in a transfer request last week.

Recent form

Derby: WDWLLL

Brighton: DLWDWW

Possible starting lineups

Derby: Grant; Wisdom, Keane, Buxton, Forsyth; Hughes, Eustace, Bryson; Dawkins, Martin, Ward

Brighton: Kuszczak; Bruno, Upson, Greer, Ward; Andrews, Bridcutt, Lua, Ince, Orlandi; Ulloa

Sports Mole says: 2-2