Derby County visit the John Smith's Stadium on Saturday to face David Wagner's Huddersfield Town.

The two sides have had contrasting starts to their 2016/17 campaigns, with Huddersfield, who most would've expected to be a mid-table side, quickly rising into the top six.

Whereas one of the pre-season promotion favourites Derby currently sit in the bottom half after a poor start.

Despite their respective league positions, 4th placed Huddersfield have lost their last two matches, and on Sunday they saw their 100% home record disappear after losing to Sheffield Wednesday.

While Derby, reunited with Steve McClaren have gone 4 games unbeaten, but still sit in 20th place, 2 points above the drop zone.

The last time the two teams came up against each other, Derby came out on top, winning 2-0 at the iPro Stadium with goals from Chris Martin and Johnny Russell.

But the last time the Rams played Huddersfield with Steve McClaren in charge, it finished 4-4 at the John Smith's Stadium.

Football League World writer Rob Booth identifies a line-up that can beat Huddersfield this Saturday...

 

GK - Scott Carson

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Scott Carson had a poor start to the 2016/17 but in recent games, his performances have started to pick up.

Derby have gone unbeaten in their last 4 fixtures, and Carson has kept 3 clean sheets in the process.

The former England international made some decent saves in the 1-0 victory over Leeds and in the away draw at Reading to keep his side in the lead.

Carson has had no competition for his place in the first team since Lee Grant's departure, and has played in every league game so far this season.

Barring injury, it's highly unlikely he'll be dropped ahead of Derby's trip to Huddersfield.

RB - Cyrus Christie

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Cyrus Christie has had a bit of criticism from some Rams supporters in recent weeks, with fans questioning his attacking abilities.

The Irish international is a great player on his day, he can beat players with his pace and skill, but a portion of the fans feel he hasn't shown the attacking intent that he possesses.

Christie has no real competition for the right back spot, with the only contender being Chris Baird, who played at left back in the Rams' goalless draw with Brentford on Tuesday night.

 

CB - Richard Keogh

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Richard Keogh has played in every league match for Derby this season.

Keogh, who captained Derby to the play-off final under Steve McClaren in 2014, has continued to be a solid defender at the back for the Rams, as well as scoring Derby's winner in their League Cup win over Grimsby Town.

The skipper will be one of the first names of the team sheet to face the Terriers this weekend, and in all games this season.

CB - Alex Pearce

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Alex Pearce has impressed since being introduced as a first team regular earlier this season.

Pearce replaced Jason Shackell as Richard Keogh's partner in the back 4 after Shackell's performances heavily dropped.

The 27-year-old has been a great centre half alongside Keogh this season, and it's likely that McClaren will go with the same centre back partnership that has kept clean sheets in both games since his return to Derby.

The Irishman has had to patiently wait for his opportunity in the Rams team, since he couldn't get into the first team last season, but now he's performing at the back for McClaren's side.

LB - Max Lowe

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Max Lowe is the latest academy product to break into the first team this season.

Lowe made his league debut in Derby's 2-0 win at Cardiff, before being named in the starting line-up for the visit of Leeds United, in which Lowe played well, growing into the game after a shaky start.

The 19-year-old as a great attacking ability, and has a lot to offer going forward but he's also a good defender, and the Rams have not conceded a goal in the league when Max Lowe has played.

Lowe missed Derby's clash with Brentford due to a minor injury, but hopefully after a week's rest, he'll be fit to face Huddersfield this Saturday.

CDM - Bradley Johnson

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After a very poor first season as a Derby player, Bradley Johnson is finally starting to show some impressive form.

He's been a great player, just in front of the back four in the holding role.

Johnson is good in the air, and has great strength which helps him win the ball back.

Bradley Johnson will most likely be in the line-up to face David Wagner's side this weekend, because he's putting in improved performances, and he'll take confidence from that.

CM - Will Hughes

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Will Hughes will be one of the first names on the Derby team sheet this Saturday, if he's fit.

Hughes was forced off during the first half of the Rams' 0-0 draw with Brentford midweek, but it's believed the injury is minor and he should be fit.

Now Bradley Johnson is playing in the holding midfield role, Will Hughes can play further up the pitch and focus on going forward.

Arguably Derby's best player, Hughes is a great passer of the ball, meaning he can create chances for the forward men.

CM - Craig Bryson

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Craig Bryson started on the subs bench in Derby's midweek meeting with Brentford but was introduced in the second half.

The Scotsman replaced Jacob Butterfield, and did alright as the Rams pushed for an opening goal.

Bryson is an engine and will keep going until the final whistle is blown.

Bryson can create chances as well as score goals himself, and his class will be needed if Derby want to beat Huddersfield this weekend.

RW - Tom Ince

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Tom Ince has come in for a fair share of criticism in recent weeks, but his performances have picked up under Chris Powell and Steve McClaren.

Despite a poor performance against Leeds, Ince scored in the win over Cardiff and was alright in the goalless draw with Brentford.

Steve McClaren could drop Tom Ince, because he hasn't set the world alight, but under Steve Mac, Tom Ince was incredible and Rams fans will be hoping he can return to that form.

LW - Ikechi Anya

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Ikechi Anya has been a great signing for Derby, and has been very impressive since joining from Watford.

Anya has been a big attacking threat for Derby this season, and has arguably been the Rams' best performer so far this season.

He's also a versatile player, who can switch into the left back position, like he did on Tuesday night when Johnny Russell came on.

The Scottish international provides pace, skill and a brilliant dribbling ability, and barring injury, Steve McClaren should select him in Saturday's line-up.

ST - Matej Vydra

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Matej Vydra has scored 2 goals since joining from Watford in the summer.

Vydra looks to have been a decent signing, his movement in the box is an improvement on that of former frontman Chris Martin, and his link up play with former Watford teammate Ikechi Anya is good.

The Czech is a proven goal scorer at Championship level, and once he returns to the form he's shown in previous seasons, he'll help fire Derby up the table.

Now James Wilson has returned to Manchester United, Vydra is McClaren's only choice in terms of strikers, so he'll be in the starting line-up to face Huddersfield this weekend.

Derby fans... Would you pick this XI to face Huddersfield? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!