Newport County vs Derby County – 27/11/2022
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League One’s Derby County will visit League Two club Newport County in the FA Cup second round. The Rams are on an eight-game winning streak in all competitions ahead of their FA Cup second-round fixture and will fancy their chances of progression.
Newport County will hope to stop Derby’s excellent run of form. Manager Graham Coughlan’s team lost three of their last four games in all competitions. County need a positive result, not only to progress in the FA Cup but to revive their form.
We’re back in FA Cup action on Sunday as Derby come to town – come and back the boys as we try and reach Round Three!
? https://t.co/IfJXi0Hp1X ? pic.twitter.com/y4hbNmsK0E
— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) November 24, 2022
The Exiles are near the bottom of the League Two table and are flirting with relegation to the Conference. The FA Cup second round comes at the wrong time for them, but it could offer some needed distraction from league football.
While Newport are in a fight to remain in the Football League, Derby are battling for a promotion playoff place in League One. The Rams are just one point off the top six. Paul Warne has done well with the club in all competitions since it was relegated from the Championship last term.
Newport and Derby have never played previously in competitive action. This will be a first for the two clubs.
The Exiles defeated Colchester United in the first round of the FA Cup 2-0. A Colchester own goal put Newport up 1-0 before Aaron Lewis scored a second for County with 14 minutes left on the clock.
Derby reached the second round after going to a first-round replay with Torquay United. The Rams drew the original match away with Torquay 2-2 before going back to Pride Park and winning 5-0. Four different players got on the scoresheet in the replay.
If Derby have a weakness in 2022-23, it is their away record. The Rams have a record of 4W-7D-3L with a goal difference of +4.
Newport have a home record of 6W-1D-7L. The Exiles have a goal difference of 10 goals. County will make a step-up in competition in the FA Cup third round, as Derby are 40 places higher in the Football League.
Warne should stick with a 3-5-2 formation for the cup fixture and could start David McGoldrick and James Collins in the attack. The strikers have combined for 10 goals in all competitions.
Derby County should pick up a third-round FA Cup win against Newport this weekend. The Rams’ form on the road may not be as good as their play at home. However, Derby are 40 places higher in the Football League and it should show with a 2-0 victory.
