Derby County vs Lincoln City - prediction, team news, lineups

Derby County and Lincoln City quadrate disconnected successful 1 of the ties of the EFL Cup archetypal circular connected Saturday afternoon.

While the Rams volition beryllium targeting the Championship playoffs successful 2026-27, Lincoln question to Pride Park looking to go further acclimatised to facing second-tier absorption for the archetypal clip successful much than 60 years.

Match preview

Having narrowly missed retired connected the apical six past season, John Eustace and his Derby squad volition beryllium motivated to marque further advancement this season.

Much of the squad is the aforesaid from 2025-26, a effect of erstwhile loanee Bobby Clark signing connected a imperishable ground for £6m and Ipswich Town playmaker Sammie Szmodics returning connected loan.

There is besides excitement surrounding the accomplishment of German winger Filip Bilbjia, who has precocious been starring for Paderborn.

Eustace whitethorn person concerns with however Derby person fared during pre-season, though, with conscionable 1 triumph being posted successful their past six games.

They ended the docket with decision to Burton Albion and draws versus Port Vale and Rotherham United connected the aforesaid day.

As for Lincoln, they person chosen to beforehand Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw to the relation of joint-head manager aft Michael Skubala's determination to Bristol City.

There was earthy disappointment and astonishment that Skubala did not privation to proceed astatine the nine aft past season's history-making League One rubric success.

Nevertheless, the Lincoln committee person opted for continuity, arsenic good arsenic strengthening the squad with 4 additions truthful far.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Joe Gauci, Cluj defender Andrei Coubis and Derby left-back Callum Elder person arrived astatine the ProAmpac Stadium.

Three wins and 3 defeats person been recorded during pre-season, the victories coming against Boston United, Mansfield Town and Doncaster Rovers.

Derby County signifier (friendlies):

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Lincoln City signifier (friendlies):

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Team News

Although Rhian Brewster scored successful a behind-closed-doors affable against Port Vale connected the aforesaid day, the Derby XI named could beryllium akin to the 1 from the gully with Rotherham.

Szmodics got a invaluable 45 minutes nether his loop aft his instrumentality to Pride Park, portion the likes of Craig Forsyth and Dion Sanderson are options successful defence aft substitute outings versus the Millers.

Meanwhile, Elder is successful enactment for a Lincoln debut against his erstwhile club, but Ben House and Freddie Draper are options to travel into the squad having started connected the seat against Barnsley.

Gauci and Coubis featured successful a weakened XI astatine Doncaster, yet the triumph and cleanable expanse means that they could commencement here.

Derby County imaginable starting lineup:

Zetterstrom, Clarke, Langas, Clark, Szmodics, Taylor, Johnston, Travis, Fraulo, Eames, Brown

Lincoln City imaginable starting lineup:

Gauci, Darikwa, Reach, Towler, Hackett, McGrandles, Street, Elder, Hamer, Varfolomeev, Coubis

We say: Derby County 2-0 Lincoln City

With a caller absorption squad successful charge, Lincoln are heading somewhat into the unknown. In crisp contrast, Derby are settee with Eustace astatine the helm, starring america to foretell a one-sided triumph for the Rams.

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