Take a look at the final Derby County fixture run-in compared to their rivals in the race for League One promotion.
Derby County added another point to the table in their push for promotion from League One this season. Manager Paul Warne took his side to the south coast to face top of the league Portsmouth in a very tough clash.
The Rams took the lead as Corey Blackett-Taylor‘s bursting run set-up Joe Ward to score his first goal in Derby colours. Portsmouth battled there way level as Abu Kamara’s trickery saw him slip through to equalise.
READ MORE: 28-year-old Derby County star hailed for ‘immense’ display in 2-2 draw v Portsmouth
The Rams responded though as Ward once again picked up the ball in space and fired goalwards to put his team ahead. While Warne’s side were defiant, a moment of quality from Owen Moxon brought Pompey level once again, ensuring the game ended in a draw.
It adds another point to the board for Derby in their push for promotion, with four huge games remaining in their season. With that said, here’s a look at how the Derby County fixture run-in compares to their rivals.
Derby County fixtures
Wycombe Wanderers (A) – April 10
Next up for Derby is a trip to Adams Park, taking on Wycombe Wanderers in a huge clash. The match will take place on a Wednesday, rearranged due to the Chairboys’ involvement in the EFL Trophy final over the weekend.
It could prove to be a tricky tie, given the troubles that Wycombe have historically caused Derby over the years.
Current position: 13th.
Current form: Three wins, one draw, one defeat.
Reverse fixture: Derby County 1-1 Wycombe Wanderers – 16 December, 2023.
Leyton Orient (H) – April 13
Leyton Orient are still just about in the hunt for playoffs this season, though their hopes are starting to dwindle. Richie Wellens has impressed with his side since their promotion from League Two, but it appears as though a mid-table finish will be on the cards.
Current position: 10th.
Current form: One win, one draw, three defeats.
Reverse fixture: Leyton Orient 0-3 Derby County – 9 December, 2023.
Cambridge United (A) – April 20
Cambridge United will play the role of host in Derby County’s final away game of the regular season. With a managerial change, Garry Monk will be hopeful of steering his side away from any relegation threat in the final few games.
Current position: 19th.
Current form: Two wins, one draw, two defeats.
Reverse fixture: Derby County 0-0 Cambridge United – 30 September, 2023.
Carlisle United (H) – April 27
Carlisle United are staring relegation in the face as they require a perfect end to the season and slip ups elsewhere to keep their League One status. They have shown some fight though, with a surprise 3-1 win over Peterborough United recently.
Current position: 24th
Current form: One win, one draw, three defeats.
Reverse fixture: Carlisle United 0-2 Derby County – 23 September, 2023.
Average league position of opposition: 17th.
Portsmouth fixtures
Shrewsbury (H) – April 6
Bolton (A) – April 13
Barnsley (H) – April 16
Wigan (H) – April 20
Lincoln City (A) – April 27
Current form: Three wins, two draws, zero defeats.
Average league position of opposition: 9th.
Bolton fixtures
Bristol Rovers (A) – April 6
Portsmouth (H) – April 13
Shrewsbury (H) – April 16
Port Vale (H) – April 20
Peterborough (A) – April 27
Current form: Two wins, two draws, one defeat.
Average league position of opposition: 11th.
Barnsley fixtures
Charlton (A) – April 6
Stevenage (A) – April 9
Reading (H) – April 13
Portsmouth (A) – April 16
Blackpool (A) – April 20
Northampton (H) – April 27
Current form: Two wins, two draws, one defeat.
Average league position of opposition: 11th.
Peterborough fixtures
Port Vale (H) – April 10
Oxford United (A) – April 13
Fleetwood Town (H) – April 16
Bristol Rovers (A) – April 20
Cheltenham Town (A) – April 23
Bolton (H) – April 27
Current form: Four wins, zero draws, one defeat.
Average league position of opposition: 15th.
Our verdict
As it stands, promotion remains in the hands of Portsmouth and Derby County heading into the final run-in of the season. Pompey still have some tough fixtures, but are likely to have enough points to get themselves over the line.
Derby still need to string some wins together, but rather importantly have only four games remaining compared to teams attempting to catch them up. In terms of the chasing pack, Bolton have a couple of tough fixtures ahead, but they have a lot of home games that can work in their favour.
Barnsley, in contrast, have a lot of tough games away from home that may impact how they perform. Peterborough appear to have a favourable run, though it remains to be seen how teams playing for points down the bottom will impact them, as well as the congested fixture schedule they face.
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