Lancashire

Derby County saw their four-match win streak come to an end against Swansea and now take on the tough task of hosting new league leaders Burnley on Tuesday (19:45 BST).

The Clarets took top spot following a 2-1 win over play-off contenders Coventry City and have not conceded a league defeat since November.

However, they are only one point above second placed Sheffield United, with Leeds United just two points behind in third, and will need a victory to ensure they stay in an automatic promotion place.

While, the Rams are in desperate need of points themselves. Their latest loss means they are now only kept out of the relegation zone by goal difference.

• Derby County are winless in their last 13 league meetings with Burnley (D4 L9) since a 1-0 victory in January 2007 under Billy Davies.

• Burnley have won four of their last five league visits to Derby (D1), as many as their previous 25 beforehand.

• Derby have won each of their last three home league games but haven't won four in a row in the Championship since February 2021.

• Burnley are unbeaten in their last 16 league games against newly promoted opponents (W10 D6) since a 0-2 defeat to Norwich in the Premier League in April 2022. In the Championship, the Clarets' last defeat to a promoted side was in December 2015 (0-2 v Preston).

• Derby's John Eustace has failed to win all four of his previous Championship games against Burnley as a manager (D2 L2) twice with Birmingham in 2022-23 and two with Blackburn this season.

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley boss Scott Parker has hailed his team's performance in the 2-1 victory at Coventry City on Saturday lunchtime.

The Clarets moved from third place to the top of the Championship table with just six matches left to play by virtue of their win at the CBS Arena in addition to promotion rivals Leeds and Sheffield United dropping points.

"It's a massive result for us," Parker told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"First and foremost we've come to a really tough place, the stadium was bouncing today, so we knew the challenge ahead of us and I thought we were superb today.

"For [the last] 15 minutes, any coach standing here suggesting there is a tactical element, there isn't, it's time to dig deep.

"This division is highly competitive. To be 27 matches unbeaten is something to be really proud of, hopefully we continue that."

Image source, Rex Features

Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom said his side didn't "deserve" to beat Stoke on Saturday.

The Lilywhites were denied all three points after full-back Kaine Kesler-Hayden's opener was cancelled out by Stoke's Lewis Baker from the penalty spot in the second half.

"You take the point in the end. I don't think it's a penalty, [it was] really soft so disappointed we haven't got three but I don't think the performance deserved three so we'll take the point and move on," Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"Start of the second half they got on top. I felt they won all the duels and we're going to face teams that are fighting to stay in the league.

"Cardiff, Plymouth, Hull away that's what we're going to face so really disappointed with that spell of the game and we weren't good enough to take the sting out of it."

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley boss Scott Parker said he has "massive respect" for Coventry City counterpart Frank Lampard as his side prepare to visit the Sky Blues on Saturday (12:30 BST).

Parker and Lampard previously played together at Chelsea in the 2004-05 season, as well as with the England national team.

"Massive respect, not just as a player for Frank. We all know the quality, but just generally what he is, what he's about," Parker told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"He's doing very well now and he's done very well in a short space of time in his career, probably similar to myself.

"Frank's gone in, done an incredible job, and they are in a really good run, really good form."

Both men became managers within two years of their retirements as players [Parker with Fulham in 2019; Lampard with Derby County in 2018], and the Clarets boss said you can get "a clear view" of the players who will follow suit.

Though it is the veterans who make their voices heard in the dressing room who Parker values most as a boss.

"Them experienced guys - them ones that are not just the guys who are experienced and got the t-shirt - but those guys that can voice things, lead, and the players listen, it's infectious," he added.

"Their whole demeanour and their whole communication... is vitally important to me.

"As a coach, it's one voice and you have an understanding with it. There's nothing more powerful than having certain players in there that can help push that message as well."