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

Derby County will be looking to bounce back from an early FA Cup exit when they welcome Bristol Rovers to Pride Park for Saturday's League One contest.

The visitors, meanwhile, will be hoping to continue their fine spell of form after putting together a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Match preview

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Derby experienced FA Cup disappointment in their most recent outing after they gave up a slender lead to lose 3-1 to fourth-tier Crewe Alexandra in their first-round replay at Pride Park.

While an early cup exit will certainly frustrate Paul Warne, his main priority this season is to win promotion and end Derby's two-season stay in League One.

Having collected 27 points from 16 matches, the Rams are currently sitting in seventh place with goals scored keeping them outside the top six.

They have enjoyed considerable success in their last two league matches, sweeping past Northampton Town 4-0, before claiming a commanding 3-0 victory over sixth-placed Barnsley.

With both of those wins taking place at Pride Park, Derby are now unbeaten in six home league games since losing to Oxford United in mid-August.

Bristol Rovers, meanwhile, have enjoyed a fine run of form since interim boss Andy Mangan took over the reins from Joey Barton, who was sacked following a 1-1 draw against Stevenage on October 24.

Impressively, the caretaker manager has seen his side put together a five-game unbeaten run, which began with home victories over Northampton Town and Whitby Town in the league and FA Cup respectively.

After playing out a 1-1 draw with Reading, the Gas returned to winning ways in their last two outings, beating Carlisle United in the league before getting the better of Newport County in the EFL Trophy.

They will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run with another victory on Saturday, as the 10th-placed side look to close the four-point gap to the playoffs.

Having failed to beat Derby in their last six league meetings, a victory at Pride Park would represent their first league win over the Rams since April 1986.

Team News

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Derby are still without long-term absentees Jake Rooney, Tyreece John-Jules and Liam Thompson, while Callum Elder remains a doubt after missing the last two matches with an ankle problem.

Warne has revealed that Conor Washington is waiting for scan results after picking up an ankle injury while on international duty with Northern Ireland.

James Collins is expected to spearhead the Derby attack after scoring seven goals in 16 league appearances this season.

As for Bristol Rovers, they are unable to call upon the injured trio of Luca Hoole, Jordan Rossiter and Luke McCormack.

They are also without centre-back Tristan Crama, who is suspended after being sent off in the league win over Carlisle.

Chris Martin, who made 224 appearances during his time with Derby, will be looking to add to his three-goal league tally when he plays against his former club.

Derby County possible starting lineup:

Wildsmith; Nyambe, Nelson, Cashin, Forsyth; Barkhuizen, Bird, Hourihane, Smith, Mendez-Laing; Collins

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:

Cox; Hunt, Grant, Wilson, Friend; Evans, Woods, Bogarde, Vale; Martin, Collins

We say: Derby County 2-0 Bristol Rovers

Derby know that they will be presented with a tough test on Saturday, but having won three consecutive home league games without conceding, we think that they will utilise home advantage to claim maximum points against Bristol Rovers.

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