Derby County (a - League Cup): Score Predictions, Starting XI & Match Thread

Jules

Jules

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Well, we're not too far away now from our first competitive fixture of the 2026/27 season, as City head to Derby on Saturday 8th August (15:00).

This season, discussing the starting XI and posting score predictions will now be part of the Match Threads.

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Derby County v Lincoln City: Match Officials Confirmed

Derby County host Lincoln City on Saturday afternoon in the First Round of the League Cup. The Football League have now confirmed the officials who will take charge of the match.
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Derby County (a): A View From The Home End (Q&A)

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Derby County (a - League Cup): Team News & Match Discussion Thread

Derby County host Lincoln City at Pride Park today in the First Round of the League Cup. Today’s referee is Josh Smith for the 15:00 kick-off.
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Well, that is pre-season over!

My prediction for this one is a comfortable 3-0 win for the hosts!
 
I think in my mind Derby will win
I don't think we have settled yet transfer wise with losing the manager players and still bringing in players its a big ask
Derby though I think will go up this year
Eustace I believe is a very good manager
The only thing is will they want the prem and take this cup a bit lightly
So im going 2.0 Derby
 
I just can’t see where the goals are going to come from at the moment. Created virtually zero chances in the pre season stuff I’ve seen. Going to have to be a 2 or 3 nil defeat.
 
Going to this one in hope rather than expectation, unfortunately I see a timid 3-0 defeat with no shots on target.
 
Also coming up from Somerset for this one, with a bit of trepidation. I am glad I didn't post a score yesterday as my angst was overflowing However today I'm calmer and have got things back in some perspective!
2-0 to the Rams.
 
A lot will depend of how clubs view the timing of this round.

My feeling is that it should be treated as a final pre-season warm up game with a strong side put out in what is a free hit.

On the other hand teams might continue to disrespect thé competition and play youngsters and fringe players.

My feeling is that Derby will do the latter whereas I think that the Imps need to settle on a system for the coming campaign in which case you have every chance of a result.
 
If we get the big lad in from Norway then he goes straight in and we push Street just to the right of him where we can get better use out of his pace.

We can't play the game with one forward or it's going to be a long afternoon for those of us travelling of attack versus defence.

Having watched the Doncaster game I'd probably play Coubis, he's a big, strong powerful looking lad and doesn't mind the ball at his feet. The battle for the centre half spots will be interesting as the season unfolds.

Smith is also very interesting. He was our best player at Donny but I really don't know enough about him to say if he's Championship standard or not.

One things for sure. Although it's a competitive game it's also a bit of a free hit so let's please try to attack as well as defend.
If we get beat but have given it 100%, no problem. The last thing I would suspect most fans want is for us to let them have 80% possession and watch them mount attack after attack all afternoon while we try and hold on for penalties.
 
Think it’ll be a 5-4-1

Wickens
Darikwa Hamer Bradley Towler Elder
Hackett McGrandles Varfolomeev Reach
Draper

And I think Derby will punish us - 3-0 Derby
 
They probably had representatives at our pre-season games, so Derby will underestimate us, even though they say they won’t. What an incredible trap Shaw and Cohen have set.

Having read the Mereo and GoBC articles with happiness and positivity exuding despite Nate’s taking a back seat, Skubala leaving, and Moylan about to go, the predictions so far seem very negative.

Based on level we are playing at, our ground improvements, season ticket sales, incoming transfers, the positive articles, and the cunning plan I am going for a 1-3 City win. And yes, Szmodics is bound to score.
 
berksimps said:
They probably had representatives at our pre-season games, so Derby will underestimate us, even though they say they won’t. What an incredible trap Shaw and Cohen have set.

Having read the Mereo and GoBC articles with happiness and positivity exuding despite Nate’s taking a back seat, Skubala leaving, and Moylan about to go, the predictions so far seem very negative.

Based on level we are playing at, our ground improvements, season ticket sales, incoming transfers, the positive articles, and the cunning plan I am going for a 1-3 City win. And yes, Szmodics is bound to score.
Click to expand...
Ground improvements getting a couple, and season tickets with a last-minute tap in to make things safe.
 
berksimps said:
They probably had representatives at our pre-season games, so Derby will underestimate us, even though they say they won’t. What an incredible trap Shaw and Cohen have set.

Having read the Mereo and GoBC articles with happiness and positivity exuding despite Nate’s taking a back seat, Skubala leaving, and Moylan about to go, the predictions so far seem very negative.

Based on level we are playing at, our ground improvements, season ticket sales, incoming transfers, the positive articles, and the cunning plan I am going for a 1-3 City win. And yes, Szmodics is bound to score.
Click to expand...
Clearly I will have to continue exuding, so I'll go 3 -1 Imps, Draper with a brace and Coubis with a towering header after coming on as a late sub
 
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