Following a 2-2 draw with Stoke City, Derby will make a quick turnaround as they face the Robins at Pride Park.
Derby remain unbeaten under Phillip Cocu in competitive football, but Bristol City are on the back of a win and pushed the Rams to a final day finish for the play-offs last season.
The Opposition
Bristol City come into the game in 11th and are on the back of a win and a draw in the league, following the opening week defeat to Leeds.
Lee Johnson’s side have pushed the play-offs in the last few seasons but have never quite managed to work their way in, something Johnson will want to change this season.
Previous meetings
The sides played each other twice last season, with the last meeting ending in a 2-0 victory for the Rams. Tom Lawrence and Jayden Bogle gave Derby the victory, in a game that saw Bristol City dominate chances but were beaten on the counter and in transition.
The other meeting between the sides ended in a 1-1 draw at Pride Park as Martyn Waghorn cancelled out the current Rams loanee, Jamie Paterson’s opening goal. The game was at the start of a 13-match unbeaten run for the Robins that put them into contention for a play-off place.
Team News
On top of the previous long-term injuries Derby face, the Rams will be without wide-man Jamie Paterson due to the loan clause that prevents the player from facing his parent club.
Bristol City are without Jay Dasilva and Korey Smith as both continue their recovery from injury.
Manager’s thoughts
Phillip Cocu believes his side’s unbeaten start has been good but stresses the importance of a home win against Bristol City.
“Of course, it's the start of the season but it's important we get a home victory against Bristol. Then you can say after these games, the start has been OK," he said.
The Dutchman was also wary of the threat of Bristol City, saying: “They also like to play football from behind, from the back, and they have used two systems in their games.”
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