EFL pundit delivers score verdict for Derby County’s clash with Barnsley

The ‘relegation six-pointer’ phrase is perhaps one of the biggest cliches in football, but there is one in the Championship this weekend as Derby County host Barnsley in a huge Championship clash.

The two clubs are in differing short-term form right now, with the Rams having a tail-off in results at the worst possible time.

County are without a win in their last three league matches, and that has coincided with skipper Tom Lawrence being suspended following his dismissal against Peterborough United.

They didn’t want Saturday’s opponents to start picking up points though and that’s exactly what the Tykes have done, with nine points won in their previous four Championship outings.

It has seen Poya Asbaghi’s side rise above Wayne Rooney’s men to 22nd position in the table, and if one of these two sides are victorious at Pride Park then it will give them a significant edge in the race for survival.

Sky Sports pundit David Prutton cannot split the two sides though and believes a 1-1 draw is the most likely outcome.

“It is all starting to unravel again for Derby on the pitch,” Prutton said on his Sky Sports predictions podcast.

“Three straight defeats has left them back in the mire and staring relegation in the face again.

“Wayne Rooney cut an extremely frustrated figure as they were beaten by Cardiff in midweek as it looks to all be catching up with him.

“Barnsley have turned their season on its head with three wins from four.

“Whether it is too little, too late remains to be seen.

“A win here would give them real belief, but I think this will be a draw.”

The Verdict

Derby need to get back on the winning run sooner rather than later and you’d have to say that a win against Barnsley is very, very important.

The Tykes’ form