McGoldrick starts: The predicted Derby County XI to face Bolton on Saturday | OneFootball

Derby County face Bolton Wanderers on Saturday in a huge game as both sides look to continue their respective unbeaten runs.

Derby are heading into the game the back of a 12-game unbeaten league run and will be hoping they can overcome the tough test against Ian Evatt’s Bolton.

Bolton are unbeaten in their last six games and sit level on points with Derby as both sides will still harbour ambitions of making a late run for the automatic places.

Derby will need to be at their best to overcome the Trotters but with an almost fully fit squad available to him, Warne will be confident heading into the game.

Here, we take a look at how the Rams might line up against their promotion rivals.

It’s likely Warne will continue with the 4-2-3-1 that has proved successful during the unbeaten run. Joe Wildsmith will continue in goal as he looks to continue his strong run of clean sheets.

Ahead of him, Korey Smith will continue at right back, with Craig Forsyth and Eiran Cashin partnering each other at centre back as they look to continue their strong partnership. Louie Sibley has been in exceptional form at left back is unlikely to get dropped for this huge game.

The dilemma for Warne comes in midfield.

Conor Hourihane and Max Bird are likely to continue together, and Jason Knight almost has to start after his good form has allowed Derby to press even higher up the pitch, which in itself hs given Hourihane more of a licence to roam and grab goals which he’s done in successive games.

That means it’s likely that David McGoldrick will spearhead the attack with James Collins dropping to the bench. Tom Barkhuizen will get the chance to continue his scoring streak, having found the net in his last three games in all competitions.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing will retain his place after his return from injury has culminated in extra creativity for the Rams in the final third since the new year.