Preview: Derby County vs. Portsmouth

Portsmouth will look to extend their unbeaten run to five matches when they travel to Pride Park to face fellow newly-promoted side Derby County in Friday’s Championship contest.

Pompey are sitting just outside the relegation zone on goal difference, while the Rams are four points better off in 16th position.

Match preview

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After winning automatic promotion alongside Pompey last season, Derby made a positive start on their return to the Championship, kicking off the season with three wins in their opening five league matches.

Unfortunately for the Rams, they have found wins much harder to come by in the last few months, having won just two of their previous 15 Championship games (D6, L7).

In fact, Paul Warne‘s side have gone six consecutive league games without a win since they recorded their most recent victory over Coventry City on November 6.

However, the Derby boss would have been satisfied with Derby’s dogged performance in Tuesday’s away clash against Burnley, with the Rams battling hard to hold the promotion hopefuls to a goalless draw, bringing an end to a three-game losing run.

Derby will hope that the confidence gained from that productive away trip can help them end their two-month wait for a home win in Friday’s clash against Portsmouth.

The Rams have avoided defeat in their last five home games against the South-coast side (W2, D3), although they have had to settle for 1-1 draws in their previous two head-to-head meetings at Pride Park.

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After 14 league games, Portsmouth were languishing at the foot of the table with nine points to their name and six points separating them from safety.

However, Pompey have since embarked on a positive run of form, putting together a four-game unbeaten streak to move out of the drop zone on goal difference.

John Mousinho‘s side recorded home wins over Preston North End and Bristol City on either side of a 2-2 draw in their away meeting with Swansea City.

Last season’s League One champions were unable to pick up a third consecutive home win in midweek, but they would have been content to hold Norwich City to a goalless draw as they recorded back-to-back clean sheets for the first time since January.

They will hope to produce another strong defensive performance in Friday’s fixture as they go in search of their second away win of the season, and their first away victory over Derby since they recorded a 2-1 victory in November 2002.

Derby County Championship form:

Portsmouth Championship form:

Team News

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Derby are expected to be without the services of defender Ryan Nyambe and midfielder David Ozoh due to knee and quad injuries respectively.

Kane Wilson could return to the starting lineup after dropping down to the bench against Burnley following a run of three consecutive starts.

Kayden Jackson and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing will also be hoping to earn recalls after featuring as substitutes at Turf Moor.

As for Portsmouth, they are still unable to call upon Ibane Bowat, Jacob Farrell, Jordan Williams, Conor Shaughnessy, Kusini Yengi and Mark O’Mahony.

Defender Regan Poole will have to be assessed after he was forced off at half time of Tuesday’s draw due to a hamstring problem.

Andre Dozzell and Callum Lang have completed one-match bans and are expected to return to the starting lineup for Friday’s away trip.

Derby County possible starting lineup:
Wilder Zetterstrom; Phillips, Nelson, Cashin; Wilson, Thompson, Adams, Elder; Jackson, Mendez-Laing; Yates

We say: Derby County 1-1 Portsmouth

After losing seven of their opening 14 league games, Portsmouth have proven to be a tougher team to beat in recent times, and we think that they could extend their unbeaten run to five games by holding Derby to a draw on Friday, especially as each of the last four head-to-head meetings have finished all square.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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