Cheltenham Town made history in midweek when they progressed to the Papa John’s Trophy semi-finals for the first time, and on Saturday another page will be written in the history books when they face a side steeped in history, Derby County in League One on Saturday afternoon.
The Robins will face the Rams for the very first time in their history and with the mood still very high following the cup success, they will fancy themselves to get a result.
Wade Elliott’s’ men currently sit 18th in the third tier and have had a fairly poor run against the so called “big teams” in League One having only picked up two victories against the top nine teams in the league.
Derby County, managed by Paul Warne, currently sit fourth and are comfortable amongst the play-off positions and last time out, made it through to the FA Cup fourth round after they comfortably dispatched of fellow League One play-off rivals Barnsley 3-0.
Team news
Saturday could be the first time we see new Cheltenham Town striker Will Goodwin, who joined the club on Monday morning. He then made his Cheltenham Town debut in the Papa John’s Trophy win over Salford City, scoring the third goal in a 3-1 victory.
Defender Lewis Freestone is reported to be out for a prolonged period of time after suffering a serious looking knee injury he sustained in the Bristol Rovers defeat on New Year’s Day, which saw him being carried of on a stretcher in the 89th minute.
Former Derby County academy player Reece Hutchinson could make an appearance against his former side since returning from injury.
As for Derby County Tom Barkhuizen will be looking to score for three games in a row for the first time in his Rams career.
Curtis Davies could feature from the start after he returned from injury to feature for Warne’s side against Barnsley in the Cup last weekend.
Prediction
Derby County are in their best form of the season, having not lost in the league since losing away to Ipswich Town at the end of October. It is going to be some test for The Robins to overcome their soaring opponents but Wade Elliott will set up his side to defend resolutely and look to keep their play-off pushing opponents at bay.
I think we can expect to see a lot of fast-flowing and creative football from Derby, with Cheltenham looking sturdy and switched on at the back which would see them look to play on the counter attack and try to catch out their opponents.
Players to watch
It will be a battle of the strikers at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium with new man Will Goodwin going up against veteran Irishman David McGoldrick.
Goodwin had a debut to remember after his goal against Salford in the week, and he will be looking to add to his tally with a first league goal in the colors of his new club. His anticipated partnership with Alfie May has given Cheltenham fans some much needed excitement.
As for Derby, their target man David McGoldrick is 15 years the senior of his counterpart but what he may lack in youth, he makes up for in experience. It’s been a brilliant season for the former Sheffield United man who has scored 11 goals already this season in all competitions.
With an abundance of strength but also a good level of goalscoring awareness, he may be a handful for the young Cheltenham defenders.
