Derby County face Leeds United, Brentford and Huddersfield Town in their next three matches.
Derby looked like a club in turmoil until very recently, struggling down the wrong end of the Championship and with manager Nigel Pearson suspended.
However, they have launched a mini-revival under interim boss Chris Powell, and that could well continue when domestic action resumes after the international break.
Derby County v Leeds United (October 15)
Derby have made a poor start to the Championship season, yet since Pearson’s suspension the Rams have resorted back to their familiar 4-3-3 system and are unbeaten in two.
Pearson’s biggest problem at Derby was that his ideas simply did not match the profile of Derby’s current squad, meaning that the players were often being told to fulfil roles that they are not used to doing.
Powell has taken over first-team duties in Pearson’s absence, and since then the side have picked up four points on the road with victory over Cardiff City and a draw at Reading.
Leeds United will provide a stern test for the Rams, but with a new lease of life Derby will back themselves to pick up their first home league win of the campaign.
Derby 2-0 Leeds United
Derby County v Brentford (October 18)
Next up for Derby is another home game against Brentford, a side over whom they comfortably did the double last season as both clubs spent long spells fighting at the opposite ends of the Championship table.
The Bees have begun the current campaign well and sit just outside the top six, but their away form has been patchy with just four points taken from their opening five matches.
It should be an entertaining game as both teams like to dominate possession, with a draw a likely outcome.
Derby County 1-1 Brentford
Huddersfield Town v Derby County (October 22)
Derby end a three-game week with a trip to Championship leaders Huddersfield Town.
The Terriers have been superb under German boss David Wagner so far this term, and they are the only club in the Championship to boast a 100% home record having won all five matches.
However, Derby have a good recent record over the Yorkshire side with five wins and two draws in their last seven meetings, including an incredible 4-4 draw at the John Smith’s Stadium 18 months ago.
Powell will know all about Huddersfield having managed the club up until November 2015, and he will be eager to pick up a positive result on his first appearance there since his departure.
Huddersfield Town 1-1 Derby County
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