For the first time in their history this weekend Cheltenham Town will be facing Derby County in a League One clash where The Rams are looking to remain in the playoffs, whereas The Robins need to avoid being dragged into the relegation scrap.
- Cheltenham’s league form
Cheltenham are coming off the back of a huge 3-1 quarter-final win against Salford City in the EFL Trophy, after a debut goal from new signing Will Goodwin wrapped up the win. Wade Elliot’s men will be facing Accrington Stanley, Bolton Wanderers or Plymouth Argyle. In the league however, they’ve lost four of their last five games including a 1-0 defeat to local rivals Forest Green Rovers and have come off the back of a 2-1 defeat to Morecambe in what is now looking like a seemingly key result within the Robins season with the run in down at the bottom of the table. They’ll be looking to change this poor turn in form with a big result against Paul Warne’s men this weekend.
2. Attack vs Defence
A key stat in this game is the attack vs defence, simple really. Cheltenham Town have the lowest goal scoring record in League One this season only scoring 19 goals this season whereas on the flip side, Derby have the best defensive record in League One only conceding 17 goals. With this stat, you would expect a low scoring result, especially with Cheltenham only conceding 27 goals this season. Expect plenty of goals now…
3. Derby’s away record
Derby are not the most exciting of teams when they are away from Pride Park only scoring 10 goals and conceding 7, with four 0-0 draws away this season. With this said Derby have prolific goal scorer David McGoldrick up front whose scored eight goals in 18 games, three of those coming against Cheltenham’s local rivals Forest Green back in December.
4. Will Goodwin
After the departure of Dan N’lundulu to Bolton following his second loan, Cheltenham needed a replacement. On Monday The Robins bought in 20-year-old Will Goodwin from Stoke City on a two and half-year deal, and he made a great impression on Tuesday night following his goal against Salford. From what we’ve seen so far, he’s a tall striker with a composed finish in front of goal. Goodwin is in line to start for his league debut on the weekend so he’s one to watch out for in the Derby camp.
5. Conor Hourihane
Conor Hourihane is the shining light in the midfield for County, after he completed his move from Aston Villa in the summer he’s not put a foot wrong. Featuring in 22 games this season with four goals and four assists he plays a key role in The Rams midfield duo alongside Max Bird. Cheltenham’s midfield of Elliot Bonds and Liam Sercombe will have a tough job on their hands marking the 31-year-old Irishman, with the midfielder arguably possessing a standard of a Premier League footballer.
