Derby County 2023-24 League One fixtures: Rams schedule revealed with tough start but encouraging finish

Derby County’s 2023/24 League One fixtures have been released as they attempt to get back into the Championship at the second time of asking after missing out on the play-offs last season.

Paul Warne’s side dropped out of the top six on the final day of last term following a 1-0 loss at Sheffield Wednesday. The Rams will be joined by seven new clubs in the third tier with Reading, Wigan Athletic and Blackpool dropping out of the Championship.

Leyton Orient, Northampton Town, Carlisle United and Stevenage have been promoted from League Two. Here DerbyWorld runs through all of County’s League One fixtures next season - with the campaign starting in August against Wigan and concluding against Carlisle in April.

August

Wigan (H), Burton (A), Oxford (H), Fleetwood (H), Peterborough (A): Derby County’s start to the season could prove to be a curious one as they begin the campaign with a home date against newly-relegated Wigan Athletic on Saturday, August 5. As they return to League One, it will be interesting to see just how much of a promotion candidate the Latics could be on the opening day. Following this, the Rams will face a local derby in their first away day, as they head to Burton Albion a week later. Furthermore, a stern test against Peterborough United at the end of the month could also provide an early indication of how the Rams stack up against promotion rivals.

September

Bolton (A), Northampton (H), Portsmouth (H), Carlisle (A), Cambridge (H): Derby face another two likely promotion candidates in Bolton and Portsmouth during September, which overall means a fairly tough start for Paul Warne’s side. Furthermore, a lengthy away trip to Carlisle could be ones that some Rams fans are dreading with the journey 360 miles there and back

October

Blackpool (A), Cheltenham (A), Charlton (H), Shrewsbury (A), Exeter (H), Stevenage (A): On paper, October seems like a more manageable month for the Rams in terms of opposition, however, it will include facing newly-relegated Blackpool who will be keen to return to the Championship as quickly as possible. Furthermore, October will be dominated by away fixtures with four compared to just two home games, it could be a tiring month.

November

Barnsley (H), Reading (A), Bristol (H), Port Vale (A): The big headliners of November are against Barnsley and Reading. Barnsley are expected to yet again challenge for promotion to the Championship following a heartbreaking play-off final loss to rivals Sheffield Wednesday. Relegated Reading will also provide a tough test even though they are battling financial problems of their own. November could be a pivotal month in the race for promotion.

December

Leyton Orient (A), Wycombe (H), Lincoln (H), Wigan (A), Oxford (A): The always busy Christmas arrives for the Rams as they face five League One games in December. This includes Wycombe and Wigan who are both expected to be in and around the play-off places come the end of the season. With a trip to Wigan on Boxing Day, many Rams fans will be disappointed that they won’t get to spend the day at Pride Park, however it does promise to be an entertaining away fixture nonetheless as Wigan could be right up near the top of the table battling for promotion.

January

Peterborough (H), Fleetwood (A), Burton Albion (H), Lincoln (A), Cheltenham (H): 2024 will begin with a highly-anticipated home date with Peterborough on New Years Day, considering the fact that the two teams finished 6th and 7th last season, Peterborough and Derby there is an expectation the sides will be fighting each other at the top end of the table once again. January also includes the home fixture against local rivals Burton Albion which last season ended up in a narrow Derby victory.

February

Charlton (A), Shrewsbury (H), Exeter (A), Stevenage (H), Barnsley (A): In February, the Rams will come up against a few tough matchups, including away trips to Charlton, Barnsley and Exeter, who are all expected to impress next season. The away fixture to Barnsley could be crucial for the Rams’ promotion hopes. Elsewhere during the month, a home match against promoted Stevenage could provide a vital opportunity to pick up points amid a tough 28 days for the Rams.

March

Port Vale (H), Bristol (A), Reading (H), Bolton (H), Northampton (A), Blackpool (H): The busiest and possibly toughest schedule of the year comes in March which could make or break Derby’s hopes of a return to the Championship. Two home games against Reading and Bolton back to back could prove decisive for all three clubs. Furthermore, Warne’s side close out the month with a home clash against Blackpool. March is a month, which if Derby can get right, should bolster their hopes of being promoted.

April

Portsmouth (A), Wycombe (A), Leyton Orient (H), Cambridge (A), Carlisle (H): The final month of the season starts off tough, much like the month before. Difficult away trips to Portsmouth and Wycombe await but there is a kinder run to end the season. Fixtures await against newly-promoted Leyton Orient and Carlisle with a clash against last season’s strugglers Cambridge United also set to be Derby’s final away game.