Crucial matchup and potential slip ups: Derby County’s next five League One fixtures

Paul Warne’s Derby County will be feeling a lot better after their emphatic 4-0 win on Tuesday night at Pride Park against Northampton Town.

It places them in 7th, just two points off the playoff spots and 11 points behind league leaders Portsmouth.

However, the Rams are still in somewhat of a period of limbo, they can’t seem to find consistent form and string a few good results together.

Looking ahead, they have the opportunity to go on a run which would help boost them into the playoff spots and closer to the leaders.

So here are the Rams’ next five games:

Derby County vs Barnsley (H) - Saturday 11 November - 3pm

By far the toughest of the next five games, Derby vs Barnsley should be a huge game for both teams as they are only separated by three points.

If the Rams were to win, they would likely enter into the playoff places after having been chasing the pack for a long time.

Barnsley will provide a tough matchup however as they are the highest scoring side in the league, mainly helped by talisman striker Devante Cole who is currently the joint top scorer in League One with 11 goals in 15 games.

If the Rams were to overcome Barnsley however, it would show the other teams in League One that Paul Warne’s side are where they should be in terms of quality, and it would be about time for most Rams fans.

Reading vs Derby County (A) - Saturday 18 November - 3pm

Reading should be a game that the Rams expect to win, especially considering the Royals’ unfortunate position at the moment.

Reading sit bottom of League One with six points from 14 games. They have been docked four points so far this season due to the club failing to pay player wages.

They have lost their last five league games and haven’t won in seven, things are looking bleak.

So Paul Warne’s side should go into the game as strong favourites to go and pick up three points.

Derby County vs Bristol Rovers (H) - Saturday 25 November - 3pm

As things stand, Bristol Rovers are the only managerless team in League One. They recently sacked Joey Barton as they sit 15th in the League.

Rovers are a tough team to beat however and as the Rams will likely play them with their new manager, they could be on a high at the time.

It won’t be a game that Paul Warne will want to underestimate, however, home advantage and quality should help the Rams to a win if they play well.

Port Vale vs Derby County (A) - Tuesday 28 November - 7.45pm

Port Vale had a brilliant start to their season, they went on a six game unbeaten run early which led them to sit in the playoff positions.

However, they are now in 16th and eight points off the playoffs.

Paul Warne should expect to score against Port Vale as they have one of the worst defensive records in the league. They could suprise the Rams but on recent form and on paper, it should be a fairly comfortable evening for Derby County.

Leyton Orient vs Derby County (A) - Saturday 9 December - 3pm

Richie Wellens’ Leyton Orient side were promoted from League Two last season after they finished top of the league on 91 points.

They have had a decent start to life back in League One as they sit in 14th place, comfortably ahead of the relegation zone. Despite their lack of goals, Orient are unbeaten in their last five games and are slowly creeping up the table.

With good vibes surrounding the club, an away trip could prove to be difficult for the Rams who will go into the game as favourites, but this definitley strikes as a slip up game if there ever was one.

Derby will have to play well to get a result here.