FEW teams will be under more pressure to win their opening fixture than Derby County.

Their horrendous run of results last season means the need for victories is abundantly clear. The sooner they can win games the better because their last league success was on September 17.

But opening-day wins are rare for the Rams.

They have won only six of their last 25 and their last victory in a first-day fixture was six years ago, when they beat Reading 3-0 at Pride Park Stadium having just been relegated from the Premiership.

History suggests a draw is the likely result when Doncaster Rovers visit on Saturday because Derby have drawn their last three opening-day games and six of their last 10.

The first of the three consecutive draws came against Brighton, in 2005, when Paul Peschisolido's late equaliser rescued a point for Phil Brown in his first game as manager.

Peschisolido and Seth Johnson scored in a 2-2 home draw with Southampton 12 months later and, this time last year, the Rams opened their Premier League programme with an entertaining 2-2 draw against Portsmouth.

Matt Oakley volleyed Derby in front and Andy Todd's powerful diving header finished off an excellent move to earn a deserved point.

Sadly, there were precious few other highlights in a calamitous campaign.

For the record, Doncaster have drawn two of their last three opening matches.