Rotherham host Derby as Rams look to continue impressive form

On Saturday, Rotherham and Derby will face off in a relegation six-pointer.

The Millers join the Rams on a current points total of 16 heading into gameweek 20 of the Sky Bet Championship; Paul Warne’s side sit 20th with Wayne Rooney’s men currently occupying 22nd spot in the table.

Rotherham have won just one of their last eight fixtures, conceding 15 goals in the process, a worrying stat for a club so desperate to achieve survival in the Championship this campaign.

Over the course of the season the Millers have tasted victory on just four occasions, their latest being a surprise 2-0 home triumph over Bristol City which, in actual fact, they dominated. 

A record that might boost the hopes of Rotherham supporters is the fact that Derby have failed to win at the New York Stadium since 2005.

Granted, the occasion has only come around five times since then, but two wins and three draws against, arguably, much stronger versions of the Derby squad may easily play on the minds of those taking part in this season’s affair.

The Millers’ top scorer as we near the midpoint of the season is 27-year-old Freddie Ladapo. Despite starting the last three matches on the bench, Ladapo still tops the Rotherham scoring chart for the current campaign with four goals to his name.

It’s worth noting that this is his first season in the Championship with 14 of the journeyman’s 15 previous clubs playing at League One level or below.

The one exception to that trend is Crystal Palace. Ladapo made one substitute appearance for the Eagles in 2017 as they lost 4-0 to Manchester United in Premier League action.

For a side that has occupied a spot in the relegation zone since the early stages of the season, Derby’s current form is certainly inspiring.

The Rams are currently unbeaten in six matches, keeping a clean sheet in each of the latter four, despite all four teams being above them in the league table.

In fact, from their last three performances against Swansea, Stoke and Brentford, they’ve faced just one shot on target from their opposition combined.

Rooney is seemingly working his magic on the touchline and a win against Rotherham would finally see the Rams jump out of the relegation zone this weekend.

Three points for Derby would likely mean the Millers swap places with them and head into the bottom three unless Nottingham Forest also lose. 

The key men in Derby’s lineup at this moment in time appear to be veteran striker Colin Kazim-Richards and Poland international Krystian Bielik.

Kazim-Richards has provided the Rams with a different option up top since making his way into the side. The 34-year-old’s hold-up play has been phenomenal, earning him plenty of praise. He also scored in his latest match against Swansea.

Bielik, on the other hand, just can’t stop putting in man of the match performances, the defensive midfielder dictates play with ease and it’s no shock Derby’s form has picked up since his return to the squad from injury. 

Team News

The Millers have no fresh injury doubts heading into this crunch clash against the Rams.

Mickel Miller has been welcomed back to the fold in recent days but it may be too soon for left-back Trevor Clarke’s return following the back injury he sustained in training. 

Joe Mattock, Chiedozie Ogbene, Kieran Sadlier and Shaun MacDonald all remain sidelined for the hosts whilst Florian Jozefzoon is ineligible to play as Derby are the loanee’s parent club. 

Rotherham boss Warne may be tempted to field the same starting eleven that fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Blackburn Rovers during midweek due to the heartbreakingly late fashion in which his side were beaten.

Similarly for Derby, there are no fresh injury concerns ahead of this encounter.

Curtis Davies picked up a serious achilles injury in the Rams 0-0 draw with Brentford, he’s set to undergo surgery which rules the 35-year-old out for the foreseeable future.

Tom Lawrence was left out of the Rams’ victory over Swansea due to a knock he picked up on his ankle in the previous match. He was assessed before the match but wasn’t deemed fit enough to play. He’s expected to be back in contention this weekend.

Jordon Ibe is also likely to miss out as he continues to build up his match fitness playing for Derby’s U23s. 

Warne on lifting his players ahead of the Derby fixture:

“I think they know the importance of the game, they are a great group who always want to learn and improve. I don’t think we have to pick them up a great deal, they know how important the game is and they know how good we can be at home.

“They enjoy playing football for this great club, their performances back-to-back have been really good and they’ve got some understanding across the pitch, so long may that continue.”

Rooney on Rotherham test:

“It would be nice to get out of the relegation spots but there are a lot of games to go. It’s not do or die but we want to keep improving and picking up points.

“Tomorrow will be a tough game but we will prepare well and be ready.”

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