Bristol City vs Derby County. Sky Bet Championship.
Ashton GateAttendance19,473.
Friday 15 September 2017 13:16, UK
Italian defender Eros Pisano will have a late fitness test ahead of Bristol City's Sky Bet Championship clash with Derby.
Pisano has missed the last two games with a knee injury and is more likely to return for the Carabao Cup tie against Stoke on Tuesday. Veteran midfielder Gary O'Neil faces another week out after having a series of injections on his knee.
City will have played seven games in 21 days before the next international break, so boss Lee Johnson will consider rotating his squad and handing opportunities to Marlon Pack, Matty Taylor and Jamie Paterson.
Defenders Curtis Davies and Marcus Olsson should both be back in the Derby squad. The pair sustained slight injuries a week ago against Hull and sat out the Carabao Cup defeat at Barnsley, as Rams boss Gary Rowett made 11 changes, but they were due to train on Friday and are expected to be involved at Ashton Gate.
George Thorne is fit and available following his lengthy injury absence after coming through 90 minutes against Barnsley. The midfielder could feature in the squad this weekend, though a final decision has yet to be made. Thorne's return means just Darren Bent, Max Lowe and Jamie Hanson remain out injured.
The Robins are winless in their last eight league games against Derby (D3 L5) since a 2-0 win in April 2011.
Derby have scored at least three goals in four of their last five league games against Bristol City (W3 D2).
Neither current Robins boss Lee Johnson or his father Gary have ever beaten Derby County in a league match in eight attempts (D3 L5).
Rams midfielder Bradley Johnson has already matched his league goal tally for last season (3 in 33 games) in his first six Championship matches this campaign, including netting a brace against Hull in his last appearance.
Bristol City's last five Championship goals have all been from set pieces - two free kicks, two from corners and a penalty. By contrast, the last six goals Derby have conceded have come from open play, since Lewis Grabban scored a penalty for Sunderland in their 1-1 draw on the opening day.
