When aiming to bounce back from a disappointing home defeat, Derby County wouldn't be top of the list of ideal destinations.

The history of this fixture is no secret: Derby are unbeaten in 21 games at home against Huddersfield in all competitions, last tasting defeat to the Terriers on home soil in November 1957.

If you want a clean sheet, the stats get even worse - Town haven't kept a clean sheet away at Derby since August 1947 and have conceded three on each of their last five visits.

Ouch. But what about the present day Rams?

Mixed form in 2016

Derby have made no secret of Premier League promotion ambitions, and have spent on a squad to reflect that. However, their recent form has been distinctly patchy.

Excluding the FA Cup win against Hartlepool, they have won just twice since the bells rang in 2016. They have lost six games in that time.

Likely as much of a reflection on that as any perceived 'Derby Way', Paul Clement was relieved of his duties in early February, with Academy chief Darren Wassall taking the reins.

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Results have improved since, with both of their 2016 league triumphs coming under Wassall, but the Rams fell victim to Wolves and a George Saville brace last time out.

Now lying fifth in the Championship, Derby are 18 points clear of Town but have stumbled in the race for automatic promotion.

Having lost just seven league games all season, the Rams have only scored a single goal more than Town - in fact, they have scored the joint fewest of any in the top six, level with Aitor Karanka's Middlesbrough, who have a game in hand.

So it's no surprise to see a formidable set of defensive statistics on their side.

Former Town man key to defensive solidity

Just 30 goals conceded in 34 games tells its own story - excellent at protecting a lead, the Rams have clocked up a whopping 15 clean sheets.

Former Town man Richard Keogh and central defensive partner Jason Shackell have been ever-present and have stood firm against expensive strikers and tricky wingers.

Derby's own danger men are well capable of causing hearts to leap into collective mouths. Chris Martin has 11 goals and six assists to his name, making him the top creative threat in the centre of Derby's 4-3-3 line-up, but Tom Ince (8 goals and 4 assists) is also worth a close eye.

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Jacob Butterfield's ability to hurt opposing defences needs no introduction, while the influential George Thorne is now fit again and is always ready to demand the ball - Dean Whitehead is likely to have a busy afternoon.

Jacob Butterfield in his Derby County shirt

One in five of those 45 goals have come from set pieces, while they're also good at finishing key scoring chances.

Like Town under David Wagner, Derby have seen lots of success from a possession-based game and a short passing style - it's one of the few times that the German has come up against a side with a higher passing accuracy than his own team, although Town's stats also take into account Chris Powell's tenure at the start of 2015/16.

Derby also have seen greater success with crossing and dribbles, and have been far less aggressive in the tackle, with 18 fewer yellow cards than Town and, as yet, no sendings off in the league.

What can we learn from Wolves?

If this all sounds a little daunting, it is worth remembering that Wolves - who Town saw off at the John Smith's Stadium a few short weeks ago - emerged victorious against Wassall's men at the weekend.

Although they were on home turf, Wolves played like the away side, ceding possession but playing with a high-energy midfield style, constantly forcing Derby into looking leggy and making mistakes.

It won't have escaped Wagner's notice that the strong, high pressing unsettled Derby, especially Thorne on his return from injury in the centre of the park.

George Thorne of Derby County (L) and Keith Andrews of Brighton and Hove Albion in action
George Thorne of Derby County (L) and Keith Andrews of Brighton and Hove Albion in action

There is potential for Huddersfield to use the same tactics, even if Derby are more confident in front of their own fans while Town will badly miss Jonathan Hogg at the base of midfield.

At the start of what will be a challenging month packed full of difficult fixtures either side of the international break, Town must travel to a promotion hopeful with the weight of history sitting at their backs.

However, David Wagner's pressing style could be the answer to changing the record.