Portsmouth will look to extend their unbeaten run to five matches when they travel to Pride Park to face fellow newly-promoted side Derby County in Friday's Championship contest.

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After winning automatic promotion alongside Pompey last season, Derby made a positive start on their return to the Championship, kicking off the season with three wins in their opening five league matches.

Unfortunately for the Rams, they have found wins much harder to come by in the last few months, having won just two of their previous 15 Championship games (D6, L7).

In fact, Paul Warne's side have gone six consecutive league games without a win since they recorded their most recent victory over Coventry City on November 6.

However, the Derby boss would have been satisfied with Derby's dogged performance in Tuesday's away clash against Burnley, with the Rams battling hard to hold the promotion hopefuls to a goalless draw, bringing an end to a three-game losing run.

Derby will hope that the confidence gained from that productive away trip can help them end their two-month wait for a home win in Friday's clash against Portsmouth.

The Rams have avoided defeat in their last five home games against the South-coast side (W2, D3), although they have had to settle for 1-1 draws in their previous two head-to-head meetings at Pride Park.

After 14 league games, Portsmouth were languishing at the foot of the table with nine points to their name and six points separating them from safety.

However, Pompey have since embarked on a positive run of form, putting together a four-game unbeaten streak to move out of the drop zone on goal difference.

John Mousinho's side recorded home wins over Preston North End and Bristol City on either side of a 2-2 draw in their away meeting with Swansea City.

Last season's League One champions were unable to pick up a third consecutive home win in midweek, but they would have been content to hold Norwich City to a goalless draw as they recorded back-to-back clean sheets for the first time since January.

They will hope to produce another strong defensive performance in Friday's fixture as they go in search of their second away win of the season, and their first away victory over Derby since they recorded a 2-1 victory in November 2002.

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