Derby vs Burton Prediction: Collins could inspire Rams

Derby will be looking to put pressure on their League One promotion rivals when they host Burton on Monday.

The Rams have lost their last two home games, going down 3-2 to Peterborough on New Year's Day, before losing 1-0 to Bradford in the last 16 of the EFL Trophy last Tuesday.

Paul Warne will have been frustrated by that latter result but is not one to dwell and will be demanding an improved performance from his players against Burton, who sit 19th and have not won away from home in the league since October.

This will be Martin Paterson's first game in charge of the Brewers, although the short trip to Pride Park may prove too tough a test for an opening win, especially with Derby striker James Collins, who enjoyed a loan spell in Staffordshire in 2010, in fabulous recent form.

Match Odds

Derby are 21 points clear of Burton in the standings and are understandably 2/7 to take all three points, with the draw 4/1 and the Brewers 9/1.

The Rams won August's reverse fixture at the Pirelli Stadium 3-0, a scoreline that is 7/1 to be repeated in the Rams' favour.

Team News

Kane Wilson (hip), Craig Forsyth (calf) and Joe Ward (groin) are expected to miss out for Derby.

They have joined Jake Rooney (knee), Martyn Waghorn (calf), Korey Smith (knee) and Conor Washington (knee) on the sidelines, while Ryan Nyambe is away on international duty, representing Namibia at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Burton are likely to give minutes to Joe Hugill following his loan move from Manchester United but Sam Hughes is a doubt after coming off in Wednesday's 2-1 EFL Trophy defeat to Blackpool.

James Collins to score anytime @ 23/20

Derby can go second with a victory on Monday and despite their recent problems at Pride Park, should have too much for Burton, even with the potential for a new manager bounce under Paterson.

The Northern Irishman will be aware of winnable upcoming home games against Charlton and Cheltenham and, results aside, will be focused on a solid performance as he aims to get his ideas across after succeeding Dino Maamria.

His side have some breathing room thanks to their five-point cushion above the relegation places but their away form hints that their chances of moving up and further away from danger will depend on their results at home.

The Rams, therefore, have every chance of getting the points but their short price means it could serve to look elsewhere and Collins' recent form appeals.

He opened the scoring at the Pirelli and has netted three times in his team's last two league outings.

The 13-cap Republic of Ireland international's goals will be crucial to his side's hopes of making it to the Championship by the summer and backing him could prove fruitful on Monday.