Derby County v Blackburn Rovers, Pride Park (tomrrow 3pm)
KEY BATTLE
ROVERS were over-run in midfield on their March visit to Derby, beaten 3-0 and undone by Derby’s energy. Bradley Johnson was only on the bench then but will start tomorrow and anchor the midfield.
LAST TIME OUT
CHRIS Martin scored twice, included a late penalty, as Rovers’ unbeaten run ended at five matches. Louie Sibley put the hosts ahead with a fine strike, before Martin tapped in just before half-time and rounded things off from the spot. However, Rovers have won their last three home meetings with the Rams, and yesterday marked four years since Danny Graham's 24-pass move helped them to a 2-1 victory at Pride Park.
MAN IN THE MIDDLE
Andy Woolmer - Took charge of three Rovers matches last season, all ending 2-1, with defeats against Charlton and Huddersfield and a win over Sheffield Wednesday.
TEAM NEWS
Derby have been boosted by news that Kamil Jozwiak and Jack Marriott both trained on Thursday after limping out of the defeat at Luton. Duane Holmes could also take his place in the squad, but new signing Jordon Ibe isn't yet fit enough to feature. Kristian Bielik, Tom Lawrence and Martyn Waghorn remain out.
Rovers have no new injury concerns, though Lewis Travis is set to undergo surgery on his knee injury that will keep him out for 8-12 weeks. Bradley Dack, Corry Evans and Sam Gallagher are still out, the latter the nearest to returning, with Daniel Ayala unlikely to feature before the international break.
PREDICTED TEAMS
Derby: David Marshall, Nathan Byrne, Andre Wisdom, Matt Clarke, Craig Forsyth, Max Bird, Jason Knight, Louie Sibley, Wayne Rooney, Kamil Jozwiak, Jack Marriott
Rovers: Thomas Kaminski, Ryan Nyambe, Darragh Lenihan, Derrick Williams, Amari’i Bell, Bradley Johnson, Lewis Holtby, Joe Rankin-Costello, Tyrhys Dolan, Joe Rothwell, Adam Armstrong
THE ODDS
DERBY are slight favourites at 6/4, with Rovers 7/4 to record a first away win at Pride Park. The draw is 23/10. You can get 11/2 on Rovers to win and both teams to score, while Bradley Johnson is 14/1 to score first.
FIXTURES
Huddersfield v Forest (FRI)
Watford v Luton (12.30)
Wycombe v Swansea (12.30)
Barnsley v Coventry
Birmingham v Rotherham
Cardiff v Reading
Millwall v Brentford
Preston v Stoke
QPR v Middlesbrough
Bristol City v Sheff Wed (SUN)
Bournemouth v Norwich (SUN)
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