‘Play a big part’ - Derby County predicted XI vs Blackpool

Derby County make the trip to Blackpool tonight as they face the Tangerines in what is expected to be a closely fought battle.

Blackpool sit one place above the Rams in 11th in League One and come off the back of an impressive 1-0 victory over Barnsley.

Paul Warne’s side faced a dissapointing 0-0 draw against Cambridge at the weekend where the Rams looked dominant enough to win, but they couldn’t find the net.

Tonight’s game will feature two sides that had promotion ambition at the start of the season and are both in desperate need of a consistent run of form.

Here is how we expect Paul Warne’s side to line up tonight.

Goalkeeper - Joe Wildsmith

Joe Wildsmith has been excellent so far for the Rams. He’ll no doubt start again on Tuesday and for the forseeable future.

Left back - Craig Forsyth

Craig Forsyth will almost certainly start at left back for Derby tonight because of the absence of Callum Elder who has undergone hernia surgery. However, even with a fit Callum Elder, Forsyth has shown no reason to drop him anytime soon.

Centre back - Eiran Cashin

Eiran Cashin as always has been one of the Rams best players. The defence looked very solid last weekend against Cambridge and so there’s no reason why Paul Warne would change his defenders against Blackpool.

Centre back - Curtis Nelson

Curtis Nelson has become one of the first names on the teamsheet since he joined the Rams in the summer. He’ll also be heading to one of his former clubs in Blackpool and so could help Derby with preparing for the challenge.

Right back - Ryan Nyambe

Ryan Nyambe has been fantastic since joining a few weeks ago. The former Wigan Athletic full back earnt a player of the match award last Saturday against Cambridge where he looked like a brick wall in defence.

Nyambe will continue to start every game if his excellent form continues.

Centre midfield - Tyrese Fornah

Tyrese Fornah also put in a great performance in his last outing against Cambridge United. The midfielder was all over the pitch and winning the ball a number of times which helped the Rams to dominate the game.

He’ll likely be a big part of the side against Blackpool tonight too.

Centre midfield - Max Bird

Max Bird wasn’t quite fit enough to start against Cambridge after he’d recovered from an ankle injury that he suffered against Oxford United earlier in the season.

He did come off the bench late on in the game much to the delight of the Derby fans. He could very well start tonight, however, if Warne still feels he’s not ready then Korey Smith will stand in yet again.

Left wing - Nathaniel Mendez-Laing

Natheniel Mendez-Laing was walking on thin ice with his starting place ahead of the Cambridge game, but apart from a missed chance in the first half, he looked good on Saturday.

The Guatemalan winger looked dangerous and put in a number of good crosses. He’s done enough to start tonight but watch out for him to get subbed off for Louie Sibley part way through the game because of his fatigue issues.

Right wing - Tom Barkhuizen

Tom Barkhuizen has slid straight back into the starting XI after he came back from an injury that he suffered during the preseason. The forward has looked good in chance creation and should be a favourite to pop up with a goal sooner or later.

Centre forward - Martyn Waghorn

Derby’s top scorer has looked somewhat absent in recent games, no more than Cambridge United on Saturday afternoon. Opposing defenders seem to have quietened the striker, but with five goals to his name then Warne will likely start Waghorn again. However he’ll need a good performance to keep his spot.

Striker - James Collins

James Collins has separated himself from Conor Washington as the first choice striker for Paul Warne. The 32-year-old has scored four goals so far and will be looking to add to his tally tonight at Bloomfield Road.