Derby County could move top of the table with a victory over Cardiff City when the two sides meet in South Wales on Saturday.
The Rams will know exactly what is required of them to climb to the summit by the time they begin their match, with current leaders Bournemouth in action against Watford on Friday night.
Only goal difference currently separates the two sides, so any slip-up for the Cherries would mean that victory would put Steve McClaren's side back in pole position.
Indeed, with Ipswich Town the only other current occupant of the automatic promotion and playoff places not facing another team in the top six this weekend, there is a real chance for the Rams to steal a march on their closest rivals.
Derby have done well to bounce back from their surprise defeat to rivals Nottingham Forest earlier this month, winning consecutive matches without conceding to make it six victories and six clean sheets from their last seven outings.
Loanee Darren Bent was the hero on Tuesday as he came off the bench to score both goals in a 2-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers, and his form since joining could be enough to earn him a first league start this weekend. courtesy of sportsmole
Only Bournemouth and Watford have scored more goals than Derby in the league this season, and Bent's extra firepower on top of that could prove crucial in a fascinating battle for automatic promotion.
The Rams boast the second best away record in the division but will be playing on the road for the first time since their 1-0 win over fellow high-flyers Ipswich Town on January 10 this weekend.
They don't have a great record when visiting South Wales, however, failing to win on any of their last seven visits to Cardiff. Indeed, home and away, they are without a win in seven meetings with the Bluebirds.
Jamie Ward is pushing for another start following his return from injury, but the match comes too soon for long-term absentee George Thorne, while Johnny Russell is also sidelined.
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Championship
