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John Eustace must ensure Derby County continue Wrexham dominance in first meeting for 18 years

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Derby County make the trip to Wales on Saturday afternoon as they face Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground.

It’s the Rams’ first visit to the Red Dragons since 1982, as John Eustace looks for a reaction to his side’s 1-0 defeat to Preston North End at the weekend, a result that sent them into the relegation zone.

Position Team Played MP Won W Drawn D Lost L For GF Against GA Diff GD Points Pts
19 SouthamptonSouthampton6 1 3 2 7 9 -2 6
20 Oxford UnitedOxford United6 1 2 3 9 10 -1 5
21 WatfordWatford5 1 2 2 5 6 -1 5
22 DerbyDerby6 1 2 3 8 12 -4 5
23 Sheffield WednesdaySheffield Wednesday6 1 1 4 5 12 -7 4
24 Sheffield UtdSheffield Utd6 0 0 6 1 13 -12 0

Lewis Travis knows Derby must improve, and with Wrexham having struggled at home so far this season, this may be the perfect opportunity for the East Midlands outfit to pick up their second victory of the campaign.

While it’s been a number of years since this fixture was last played, it is one that the Rams have excelled in, and EFL Analysis has taken a look at the head-to-head statistics between the two clubs.

Derby County have the better record over Wrexham

It was in 2007 when Derby last faced Wrexham, and they scored a victory in the FA Cup third round, knocking the visitors to Pride Park out of the competition thanks to a 3-1 win.

Derby County manager, John Eustace, during the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County and Coventry City
Photo by Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images

However, their most recent meeting in the league was 43 years ago, as the Rams were held to a 1-1 draw in the Second Division.

Wrexham, who won three successive promotions to reach the Championship, have not beaten Derby since 1980, and they have only run out as the victors in this fixture twice in its history.

The Rams have five wins to their name, while there have been two draws, with their first clash coming back in 1955.

John Eustace will feel the threat of the Championship relegation zone

It’s been a frustrating start to the season for Eustace and Derby, with three defeats from six games.

Their only victory so far came against West Brom, and the Rams have to quickly put things right from the weekend. Eustace was impressed with Patrick Agyemang, and it seems likely that he will start against Wrexham, but a more adventurous style of play will be in order.

Derby County manager John Eustace during the Carabao Cup 2nd round match between Burnley and Derby County
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images

Derby have utilised a backs-to-the-wall approach ever since their head coach arrived in February, but with their expectations now greater than last season, now is the time to push on. This is vital against Wrexham, a side who are also fighting against the drop zone right now.

A mid-table finish is the target for Derby, but they can ill-afford more dropped points this weekend and continuing their dominant streak over the Red Dragons is vital in doing that.