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Derby County are in desperate need of their first Championship point of the season as they prepare for the visit of Bristol City to Pride Park on Friday evening.
The Rams have lost both of their opening games of the season by a two-goal margin, with Coventry City finally ending their 22-year wait for a win in DE24 on Saturday afternoon.
The Sky Blues ran out 5-3 victors in a crazy game in the East Midlands, just a week after John Eustace’s side were beaten 3-1 by Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium.
For Bristol City, it’s been a much more positive start. Gerhard Struber masterminded an incredible 4-1 win over Sheffield United on the opening day, before they were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Charlton Athletic. Nevertheless, they will have their clash with Derby fully on their mind ahead of Friday evening.
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Derby County were dominant against Bristol City at Pride Park in 2024/25
Ironically, the two met for the first time last season in the Rams’ second home game of the campaign, just as they are doing now.
Having beaten Middlesbrough two weeks earlier, supporters were hoping for a repeat performance, having defended excellently against Michael Carrick’s side. However, what followed was arguably the club’s best performance under Paul Warne.
After staving off a string of Bristol City attacks, Kenzo Goudmijn finished with aplomb into the bottom corner when the ball fell to him following a set-piece.
In the second-half, the Rams started to show their class, with Kayden Jackson scoring from a tight angle with a thunderous strike before David Ozoh sealed all three points with his first senior goal in injury time.
While Bristol City got the better of Derby in the reverse fixture, that day at Pride Park is still fondly remembered 12 months on.
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The Rams have the advantage over the Robins over the course of history
Although the Robins have tasted victory more recently in this fixture than the Rams, over the course of history it is Friday evening’s hosts who have the advantage.
Derby have 39 wins to their name compared to the 24 that Bristol City have picked up, with 18 of the contests between the two ending in a draw.
However, the East Midlands outfit have won just two of their last eight games against the Robins and this will surely give the visitors some confidence heading into the clash.
Derby are looking for a reaction to their poor start to the season, and it has to begin against Bristol City at Pride Park, with their memories of the 3-0 victory still fresh in their minds