Cardiff City took a step in the right direction after climbing off the foot of the table and out of the relegation places with a 2-1 victory away at Rotherham United at the weekend.
Two goals from Rickie Lambert spared the Welsh side's blushes after going 1-0 down through Isaiah Brown’s effort on the hour mark.
The victory at the weekend has really relieved the pressure of manager Paul Trollope, whom if he had lost the Rotherham clash would have been questioning if he still had a job at the Welsh capital.
They face a Derby County side that are in similar form to the Bluebirds, and haven’t won a league game since beating Preston North End last month.
The Rams confidence is at rock bottom after losing 5 out of their last six games in all competitions and this could be the perfect time to play Nigel Pearson’s side.
Football League World Writer, Ashley Williams predicts the line-up that will beat Derby County…
GK – Ben Amos
Since his debut against Leeds United, he looks to have really settled into the squad and is certainly a better option than the reserve goalkeeper Ben Wilson.
He continued his good form at Rotherham - making a number of good saves and likes to instigate a quick attack when going forward.
RB – Lee Peltier
A player, who is fairly steady but also doesn’t contribute too much to the Bluebird’s squad.
He had a stable game and defended well, with making a number of vital interceptions.
He picked up a little knock at the New York stadium, but is expected to be fit for the Championship clash on Tuesday night.
CB – Sean Morrison
The centre back looks to be the new leader of the back-four, who headed the ball to safety on a consistent basis at the weekend and put his body on the line when Rotherham created efforts.
One of the better players on the pitch, but can look dodgy at times.
CB – Matthew Connolly
It is puzzling what has happened to Connolly this season, last year’s player of the season looks nowhere near to the level of performance from last term.
He looked well off the pace, and panicked at every moment when Rotherham got forward.
Trollope is expected to give him another chance, but I feel that another ropey performance will cost him his place in the side.
LB – Jazz Richards
As a whole, Richards is very similar player to Peltier, an average performance at the weekend, but made a brilliant defensive header late on to bag his side the three points.
An optimistic acquisition from Trollope, but his steady displays will keep him in the side.
RW – Craig Noone
I really don’t know what’s happened to Noone, not the player he was several years ago.
Not getting past players like he used to and is hitting the first man too often.
He needs a string of games in the side to re-ignite his confidence, but he needs to start producing displays that are going to get the Bluebirds fans off their feet.
CM – Stuart O’Keefe
His first game back for Cardiff proved how much they missed him.
He led the midfield at the weekend and caused a real nuisance for the Yorkshire outfit all day.
His performance is expected to keep him in the side.
CM – Joe Ralls
He played in an unfamiliar position on the left flank at the weekend, and he really looked lost on the wing, but Ralls is an important player to the Bluebirds’ squad and he is expected to partner O’Keefe in the centre of the field on Tuesday night.
LW – Peter Whittingham
Another lacklustre performance from Whittingham at the weekend, but he is the sort of player that can win you games and his excellent left foot is a vital part to the Bluebirds picking up points and climbing the table.
His set-pieces cause all sorts of problems and in a shaky Derby County defence.
ST – Lex Immers
A much improved performance, but once again not to the standard of last season.
There were more frequent and better runs in support of the striker but his play in possession was sloppy.
Also another string of runs in the side will increase his confidence and he will need to support Rickie Lambert up front.
ST – Rickie Lambert
The former West Brom striker picked up his first goals for the Bluebirds at the weekend and he has insisted that there is plenty more to come.
Lambert will be aiming to prove that he doesn’t talk a big game and be Cardiff main source for goals.
His goals could be vital in helping the Bluebirds push up the league.
Cardiff City fans… Is this the side to beat Derby County? Will they make secure back-to-back victories against Derby? Let us know in your thoughts and opinions below!