Sky Sports EFL pundit David Prutton has revealed his latest set of Championship predictions for the upcoming fixtures this weekend, and he believes the spoils will be shared when promotion-chasing duo Derby County and Aston Villa meet at the Pride Park Stadium on Saturday.

The Rams have won four of their last five league games to shoot up to fourth in the table, and they managed to keep a clean sheet in all of the victories during that run, with the only goal they conceded coming in the 1-0 defeat at home to Ipswich Town.

Gary Rowett's men will have the automatic promotion spots in their sights, but as they currently lie six points behind second-place Cardiff City they will know that three points this weekend is a must for them to try and keep the pace with the Bluebirds.

Meanwhile, Villa are just one place and one point behind County in the standings as they aim to secure a return to the Premier League at the second time of asking, with two consecutive draws against Leeds United and Millwall halting their march up the league table in recent weeks.

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Steve Bruce will once again be without captain John Terry, last season's top goalscorer Jonathan Kodjia, Alan Hutton, Chris Samba and Henri Lansbury for the clash in the east Midlands, but Prutton still believes they will pick up what could prove to be a precious point.

The 36-year-old told Sky Sports: "If either of these sides really wants to kick on and challenge for a place in the top two then victory would be a big statement at Pride Park on Saturday.

"Derby have won four of their last five and conceded just a single goal in that run, so Villa may find it tough to break them down. But if Villa score early and both teams go for it then I fancy an entertaining draw."

If Prutton is right, Bruce will probably be the more satisfied of the two managers given the injury issues he has.

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