Preview:Derby County vs. Stoke City - prediction, team news, lineups

Derby County take on Stoke City on Saturday afternoon as Wayne Rooney looks to extend his unbeaten run in sole interim charge to five matches.

Meanwhile, the Potters now sit in eighth position in the Championship standings after their defeat to Cardiff City in midweek.

Match preview

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When Rooney was handed the reins at Derby on a temporary basis, it is fair to say that that supporters expected an improvement in goals over clean sheets.

While the England legend will be disappointed with a return of just three strikes in 360 minutes, back-to-back shutouts at Millwall and Brentford have highlighted the extra belief since the veteran forward's appointment.

The latter result, against opponents who will expect to earn promotion at the end of the season, could prove to be a turning point for a team who are beginning to end their habit of conceding during the closing stages of games.

Derby will remain as underdogs in home fixtures with Stoke and Swansea City, but Rooney will feel that his team are playing with enough confidence to end the club's long wait for a win at Pride Park.

From Stoke's perspective, they will view this game as the perfect opportunity to bounce back from the disappointment of letting slip a lead against Cardiff on Tuesday night.

Sam Vokes missed a penalty to hand the Potters a 2-0 advantage, and it allowed their opponents to come from behind to secure maximum points at the bet365 stadium.

Stoke remain just six points adrift of Championship leaders Norwich City, something which will not be lost on Michael O'Neill as he assesses his team's position heading into the Christmas period.

However, it has reached a point where small margins separate the top two and mid-table, and Stoke risk being pulled in the wrong direction unless they can avoid a second successive setback against the Rams.

Although Derby have been less than prolific in front of goal during their last four fixtures, Stoke have also scored just three times over the same period.

Derby County Championship form: LLDDWD

Stoke City Championship form: WLDWWL

Team News

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Derby will almost certainly be without Curtis Davies, who was stretchered off with an ankle injury in midweek.

Kornell McDonald could be brought in as his replacement, the youngster featuring at right-back with Andre Wisdom moving into the middle of the defence.

Tom Lawrence may also be preferred to Duane Holmes after being introduced as a half-time replacement against Brentford.

Unless John Obi Mikel or Jordan Thompson return to the squad after injury, Tashan Oakley-Boothe could be given an opportunity in midfield.

Vokes is likely to get the nod over Jacob Brown in attack, but Ryan Shawcross is expected to remain on the substitutes' bench.

Derby County possible starting lineup: Marshall; McDonald, Wisdom, Clarke, Forsyth; Bielik, Shinnie; Lawrence, Knight, Jozwiak; Kazim-Richards

Stoke City possible starting lineup: Bursik; Smith, Collins, Chester, Fox; Cousins, Oakley-Boothe; Campbell, Powell, McClean; Vokes

We say: Derby County 1-2 Stoke City

Having earned four points from two away games, Rooney may decide to show more ambition in the final third in this game. However, Stoke have one of the best away records in the division, and we expect the Potters to edge a competitive tussle at Pride Park.

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