4-4-1-1, Dobbin in: The predicted Derby County XI to face Cambridge | OneFootball

Derby County welcome Cambridge United to Pride Park on Friday evening, looking to continue their push for the play-offs.

The Rams come into this encounter on the back off a 0-0 draw away at Bolton Wanderers, a game that won’t last long in the memory but one that was evenly matched.

Derby are currently unbeaten in their five games in League One, but in those five games, the Rams have only managed one win, which came a couple of weeks ago when they beat Forest Green Rovers 4-0.

Derby are currently in the top six on 35 points, with a better goal difference than seventh-place Wycombe Wanderers and only two points behind fourth-place Barnsley.

It’s been a good start to life as Derby manager for Paul Warne, with Cambridge being the first opposition that Warne faced when he became the club’s manager.

So as Friday’s game approaches, here at FLW we have looked at the possible starting XI for Derby County against Cambridge United:

Their clash against Bolton once again showed that, despite their struggles at the back and their lack of options, Derby’s back four are extremely well drilled since Warne’s arrival.

The Rams have conceded the joint-least amount of goals in League One this season (along with Barnsley) and Tuesday’s game at Bolton showed that. Despite the lack of chances for both sides, Derby were solid at the back once again and limited Bolton to very few opportunities.

Therefore, for the game against Cambridge, you would expect Warne to keep with the same defence as he will want to build stability alongside his goalkeeper as they keep pushing for a top-six finish.

Derby have been struggling in recent weeks with injuries throughout the squad, so it is likely that you will see Nathaniel Mendez-Laing on the right side. While Warne started Tom Barkhuizen on the left side on Tuesday, he could look to shake things up by bringing Everton loanee Lewis Dobbin into the starting XI.

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Max Bird and Conor Hourihane will be expected to retain their places in the starting XI, as they have been crucial for Derby this season and have picked up results. In attack, Warne is likely to start Jason Knight just behind striker James Collins in a 4-4-1-1 formation.

Collins has been struggling in front of goal recently, but Warne will hope a game against a struggling side like Cambridge could be a chance for the former Luton Town man to get back on the scoresheet.