Derby County fans set for season opener clues - predicted XI vs Sheffield United

For the final game in preseason, Paul Warne should have a good idea of his best line up.

With a few more signings expected, this is how they’ll likely line up as things stand.

Goalkeeper - Joe Wildsmith

Paul Warne has been switching between the goalkeepers throughout the preseason, however, Wildsmith is still expected to be the long term starter, so it would make a lot of sense for Warne to start him on Saturday.

Centre back - Curtis Nelson

Curtis Nelson scored a deflected header in the Rams’ last outing against Stoke City last Saturday. His abilities in defence are very strong and he’ll be expecting to start the majority of games this season, so we expect him to start at Pride Park on Saturday also.

Centre back - Sonny Bradley

Sonny Bradley has shown how important a signing he’s been so far by tackling with high intensity even in pre-season games.

He could well be one of the most influential players this season for Derby and so Paul Warne will likely choose him to start against Sheffield United.

Centre back - Eiran Cashin

Cashin has been nursing a minor injury recently and hasn’t had much action in the preseason so far. However, being one of the Rams’ best performing players last season, he’ll most likley start a lot of games this year.

The Irishman has recovered from his injury fully now and so he should start on Saturday to improve his match fitness before the first game of the season a week on Saturday.

Left wing back - Liam Thompson

Liam Thompson has been putting in some very strong performances in replacement of Callum Elder who’s picked up a knock. Thompson has singled himself out as one of the best players in the preseason.

The 21-year-old will likely play a backup role throughout the season, but as Callum Elder is still injured, Thompson will be expected to start against the Blades.

Right wing back - Joe Ward

Possibly the best performing player for the Rams so far this season, Joe Ward has been exceptional with his chance creation.

It seems like he could be one of Paul Warne’s best signings so far and so starting against Sheffield United seems like a foregone conclusion.

Centre midfield - Max Bird

Derby’s young star Max Bird has shown himself to be a fantastic asset to Paul Warne so far. His performances have made him one of the first names on the team sheet and I expect no different this weekend.

It’d be a surpise to see Bird on the bench.

Centre midfield - Conor Hourihane

Conor Hourihane has been handed the captain’s armband in every game except Craig Forsyth’s testimonial (for obvious reasons), and so he’s clearly in the forefront of Paul Warne’s plans this season.

He’ll likely start on Saturday and expect him to be making a very high number of appearances again come the start of the season.

Centre midfield - Korey Smith

Korey Smith has been under some pressure so far as he hasn’t been a central part of Paul Warne’s plans. However, against Stoke City, he impressed, even assisting with a beautiful cross into the box.

Therefore, with no Jason Knight replacement on the horizon, Smith could help to fill the hole in Derby’s midfield.

Striker - James Collins

James Collins has shown his goalscoring ability in the preseason. Having really impressed manager Paul Warne, he may have played his way into becoming the Rams’ first choice striker.

Even though Warne has said he intends to bring in more firepower up front, Collins has given himself a solid role up top.

Striker - Nathaniel Mendez-Laing

Mendez-Laing is in a difficult situation because he doesn’t immediatley fit into Paul Warne’s system. So the Derby boss has been trying him out up front.

He improved massivley in the last game by scoring a lovely goal.

Mendez-Laing will likley start on Saturday as both Conor Washington and Tom Barkhuizen are still recovering from injuries.