Pride Park will host a huge match at the bottom of the Championship between 22nd place Derby County and 23rd place Rotherham United on Saturday.
The Millers lost 2-1 after extra time at Goodison Park to Everton last time out, with Matthew Olosunde on the scoresheet.
Derby’s last official fixture was a 2-0 defeat to Chorley in the FA Cup, however their last fixture with a senior squad playing was a 1-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday on New Year’s Day.
Freddie Ladapo missed Rotherham's trip to Everton with a groin issue but has trained this week, and Paul Warne has said the striker should be named on the bench at Pride Park.
It is a similar situation for long-term absentees Clark Robertson and Shaun MacDonald, who are now back available but not yet ready to play from the start.
The away team has been victorious in just one of the last 23 Football League meetings between Derby and Rotherham, with the Rams winning 3-1 at Millmoor in 2004/05.
Rotherham United have taken just 0.36 points per game in away Championship matches under Paul Warne, winning two, drawing 11 and losing 34 of 47 games on the road.
Millers striker Michael Smith has scored in his last three league matches – he has never scored in four in a row in his career, also doing three in a row for Portsmouth in November 2016 and AFC Wimbledon in September 2013.
Also on Saturday, Doncaster Rovers will take on Swindon Town at the County Ground in League One.
Last time out, Donny shocked Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup, beating them 0-1 thanks to a goal from Taylor Richards.
Swindon had a great start to 2021, beating Ipswich Town away from home 2-3, with goals from Diallang Jaiyesimi (twice) and Scott Twine.
Doncaster are looking for their first league double over Swindon since the 2007/08 season in League One, when they won promotion.
Rovers drew a blank for the first time in 14 league games against Shrewsbury last time out (in League One), while they have not failed to score in successive league matches since January 2020.
On Saturday night, Barnsley will face Swansea City at Oakwell in the Championship live on Sky Sports.
The Tykes beat Tranmere Rovers last time out, with goals from Michel Helik and Cauley Woodrow giving Barnsley a 2-0 win.
Swansea also won 2-0 in the FA Cup last weekend, beating Stevenage away from home with goals from Wayne Routledge and Viktor Gyokeres.
Barnsley are winless in their last 15 matches against Swansea City in all competitions (D7 L8) since a 3-2 win in November 1983.
The Tykes are looking to win four consecutive home Championship games for the first time since December 2007.
Swansea have won three of their last 20 away league matches in Yorkshire (D7 L10), with their last game in Yorkshire a 4-4 draw at Hull City in February 2020.
On Sunday, Sheffield United will be hoping for back-to-back Premier League wins when they take on Tottenham Hotspur at Bramall Lane.
The Blades won their last match against Newcastle United in midweek, with Billy Sharp converting a penalty to give Chris Wilder’s men a 1-0 win.
Spurs were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Fulham on Wednesday night, with Harry Kane on the scoresheet for the hosts.
Sheffield United have lost just two of their last 11 top-flight matches against Spurs (W5 D4), avoiding defeat in both matches last season (W1 D1).
The two other teams to go as many as 17 games winless from the start of a top-flight season – Burnley in 1889/90 and Bolton in 1902/03 – both registered back-to-back wins after winning their first games of their seasons, as Sheffield United could achieve here.
Billy Sharp has scored five Premier League goals for the Blades, with those goals worth eight points to the club. Sharp has scored in 53 league games under Chris Wilder and only lost one of those (W41 D11), a 2-3 defeat to Bristol City in March 2019.
Sheffield Wednesday have postponed their next two fixtures due to a COVID-19 outbreak at the club.
In a statement, Wednesday said: “Sheffield Wednesday’s next two Sky Bet Championship fixtures against Coventry City (Saturday 16 January) and Wycombe Wanderers (Tuesday 19 January) have been suspended.”
“The club informed the EFL that we would be unable to fulfil the fixtures following recent positive COVID-19 tests and the requirement for players and staff to self-isolate as per EFL and Government guidance in order to mitigate against the risk of further infection.
“Revised dates for the rearranged fixtures will be confirmed in due course.”
Wednesday’s next fixture is an FA Cup tie against Premier League Everton, which will be played between Friday 22nd January and Monday 25th January.
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