3/1 To Win
Gary Rowett is relishing the prospect of a return to Pride Park Stadium this weekend after kicking off the 2017/18 campaign on the road.
Derby got the new season up and running with a 1-1 draw against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light last Friday evening.
They also had to contend with an abandoned Carabao Cup First Round tie at Sky Bet League 2 side Grimsby Town on Tuesday.
Now, though, Derby will be able to enjoy the home comforts of Pride Park against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday and then Preston North End next Tuesday in back-to-back Championship matches.
Rowett, the Rams’ manager, is looking forward to the side’s first competitive game on home turf since April.
He told RamsTV: “The first home game is a big occasion and we’re looking forward to it.
“The fixture list gave us an away match to start and then another trip on the road which was abandoned on Tuesday.
“With them both being evening kick-offs I don’t think that helps either so it will be nice to be back at home for a Saturday 3pm kick-off, which is an anomaly these days.
“We had great support at Sunderland and Grimsby and I am sure the supporters are looking forward to being back at Pride Park as much as we are.
“With back-to-back home games we want to make that point we got at Sunderland look like a decent result.”
Saturday’s opponents Wolves have been one of the Championship’s big spenders this summer.
Head Coach Nuno Espírito Santo has brought a number of fresh faces into his squad as they aim for a promotion challenge.
Rowett was at Molineux last weekend to see Wolves kick off the new season with a 1-0 home win over promotion-chasers Middlesbrough.
He said: “I went to watch Wolves last Saturday which was the beauty of playing on a Friday.
“At times they were impressive and play a very free style of football. They have some good footballers there and technical players from Europe.
“They caused Middlesbrough, a much-fancied team, a few problems and we will have to be at our best.
“It’s like any home game, it’s up to make the running and to take the game to the opposition as we look to get the first win of the season.”
