27.10.22 Match Preview - Derby v Rovers

The Gas visit The Rams, looking to make it nine games undefeated.

Rovers head to the Midlands tomorrow to play their first-ever league game at Pride Park, with Wednesday's draw in Sheffield making it eight games unbeaten in all competitions.

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Manager's Preview

Rovers' boss Joey Barton said: "We had the lads watch Derby's game from Tuesday night and Exeter got a solid point there. We must take enormous confidence into the game. Derby is a big club, a big side, but we’ve just played first and third in the division and I think anyone at those games would say we stood toe-to-toe and were more than a match for them.

"We’ll go to Derby and play our way and attack them because... why would we not?

"They’ve had a couple go off, I think James Chester went off on Tuesday and Curtis Davies went off in the game on Friday. They’ve been playing a back three of late and that might be subject to change, I’m not sure.

"We’ll be focusing on us and we feel, if we get us right, we’re more than a match for anybody. We’ll pay Derby the respect they are due by preparing for them the same way we’d prepare for any team, but there will be no fear attached to us and we’ll be looking to put an excellent performance on again in front of incredible travelling support for League One.

"I’ve seen it is 3,100; those are Premier League numbers so, hopefully, we can give them a victory and make some more memories."

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Opposition View

Derby manager Paul Warne was at Hillsborough on Wednesday night to watch Rovers put in a fine away performance at a team who sat third in the table.

He said: "They were really good against Sheffield Wednesday. They don't have what some people would regard as 'out-and-out superstars'; they were just a really hardworking team.

"They stopped Wednesday on numerous occasions and made it difficult for what are one hell of a home side.

I think Rovers are in the best form in the league apart from the top two. They have won three and drawn three from the last six, which is promotion form, and their last two games have been against Plymouth Argyle and Sheffield Wednesday, drawing them both, so they come into this with a real buzz of confidence.

"You watch the strikers at Bristol Rovers and if you play across the back-line they are coming for you all the time."

Flashback

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Pride Park was the scene of a famous Rovers win, with a 3-1 win in the FA Cup. Gas striker Nathan Ellington scored a hat-trick as the team who sat 87th out of 92 league clubs caused a major upset at the then-Premier League outfit. Pictured is Rovers' Che Wilson and Derby legend Fabrizio Ravanelli, also known as 'The White Feather'.

Form Guide

Derby Last Five in the League: W L W L D

Rovers Last Five in the League: D W W D D

 

Last Time Out

Ref Watch

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The man with the whistle at Pride Park will be Martin Coy. The Durham-born referee has dished out a total of 14 yellow and two red cards so far this season and has awarded 17 fouls per game, on average. 

How to Follow

Supporters based in the UK can purchase an audio match pass for £2.50. To find out more about iFollow, please click HERE.

Betting Preview

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EFL sponsors Sky Bet have priced Rovers at 7/2 for the win on Saturday afternoon. Aaron Collins can be backed to grab the first goal at 8/1, whilst namesake James of Derby is at 4/1. A goal at any time from Bobby Thomas is priced at 16/1. 

*Odds correct at the time of writing. To bet with Sky Bet please click HERE. Please bet responsibly.

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