Paul Clement's Derby County welcome the visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Championship on Sunday with the Rams unbeaten in five league games.
As for Kenny Jackett's men, they have been able to put together back-to-back wins and will be hoping to continue their run with a victory at Pride Park.
Derby County
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Derby found themselves in a rather sticky patch without a win in their first five games, but their first victory against Preston North End has since inspired Clement's charges to four wins in their last five matches.
County currently occupy seventh place and remain in strong contention for a playoff spot, and they might be hoping that they can mount a push for automatic promotion come next spring.
Despite drawing four and losing one out of their opening five fixtures, Derby come into this game on the back of some terrific form, having clinched two wins on the bounce after their victory over Brentford at the start of the month.
Clement will be delighted by the form of Chris Martin and Tom Ince in recent weeks, while there have been signs of some impactful quality from Darren Bent too.
The main fixture of Derby's positive run of late has been the club's ability to defend. As it stands, County have the joint-best defensive record in the league having conceded just seven in 10 games.
With those strengths at the back clearly contributing to points already this season, Clement will be keen to see some improvements going forward, where Derby have been able to notch 12 goals for themselves.
With games to come against Blackburn Rovers, Huddersfield Town and Rotherham United, Derby will be confident of keeping their winning run going should they be able to get past Wolves on Sunday.
Recent form: LWWDWW
Wolverhampton Wanderers
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Wolves are still yet to really find the required consistency after their first 10 fixtures of the season, but following their defeat at Bolton Wanderers last month they now find themselves unbeaten in four.
Much like Derby, Jackett's men have won their last two games and are hoping to put together the sort of run that will keep the pressure on the playoff contenders above them.
Having initially conceded in five of their first six games, Wolves have now conceded just one goal in four and that defensive improvement will have delighted Jackett as they approach the vital winter period.
What is more, Wanderers have also bagged six in 180 minutes of football and will be confident at both ends of the pitch when they visit Derby at the weekend.
Some sections of the Wolves support will have been left frustrated by the departure of Bakary Sako in the summer, but many will also now be delighted at the emergence of Liverpool loanee Sheyi Ojo, who has received some praise from Jackett himself in recent weeks.
What has been equally important recently is the return to form of striker Benik Afobe, who was able to end his goal drought with two well-taken finishes against Huddersfield just before the international break.
Depending on how results play out over the weekend, victory in Sunday's fixture could conceivably place Wolves in one of the playoff spots and would also see them move above Derby in the standings. Given the length of the season, the idea of talking about the playoffs might seem premature to some, but Jackett will know that every point counts in a league that can so often throw up surprise after surprise.
Recent form: WLDDWW
Team News
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The home side will still be missing the trio of Will Hughes, Craig Bryson and Jake Buxton through injury, but George Thorne will be hopeful of maintaining his starting place.
Craig Forsyth and Jeff Hendrick will be pushing to maintain their places in the team after starting against Brentford. Ryan Shotton might also be hopeful of putting his name forward for a place at the back.
As for Wolves, they have been hit by the news that Ethan Ebanks-Landell will be out for a month, but that should not impact Jackett's starting XI.
Given the club's last win over Huddersfield, it is expected that Wanderers could remain unchanged, meaning that Ojo should keep his starting place in front of Nathan Byrne.
Derby County possible starting lineup:
Carson; Forsyth, Shotton, Keogh, Christie; Hendrick, Thorne, Johnson; Ince, Martin, Russell
Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Ikeme; Golbourne, Hause, Batth Iorfa; Ojo, McDonald, Price, Henry; Afobe, Fondre
Head To Head
These two sides last met at the back-end of the last campaign, when Wolves claimed a 2-0 home victory over visiting County. Earlier in the season, however, Derby had produced a 5-0 home rout of Wolves at Pride Park. Across the last six fixtures between the two clubs, Wolves have proved slightly dominant by winning three, drawing two and losing one in a run of games that stretches back to 2008.
We say: Derby County 2-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Derby come into this game off the back of some standout form, but it must not be forgotten that they have managed to win just once at home this campaign. Wolves will be without the injured Nouha Dicko, but have shown in recent weeks that they are capable of scoring goals without him. Both sides will be keen to press for the win, which could result in some attractive football and a number of goals at Pride Park.
Christopher Dodd
