City will face fellow Sky Bet Championship side, Derby County, in round one of the Carabao Cup and will make the journey to Pride Park on Saturday 8 August (3pm KO).
Read the key stats and information along with the pre-match thoughts of Chris Cohen and Callum Elder ahead of the Imps’ first competitive fixture of the 2026/27 season.
Opposition Information
John Eustace’s side ended last season finishing eighth in the Sky Bet Championship, missing out on an all-important place in the play-offs by just four points. Their pre-season campaign included a trip to Austria, where they suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of German side and Europa League finalists, SC Freiburg.
Bobby Clark was one of the standout performers during the 2025/26 season, playing a total of 45 games in the base of midfield. Following the expiration of his loan spell from Austrian outfit, Salzburg, the Rams moved fast to secure his signature on a permanent basis making him the first of their summer acquisitions.
Another notable recruit comes in the form of Filip Bilbija, an attack-minded midfielder who moves to the East Midlands off the back of a 17-goal season for Paderborn, helping guide them to a third-place finish and promotion to the Bundesliga for the first time in six years.
Chris Cohen said: “We’re so excited for the game, they were in contention for the play-offs the whole season last year so we’re coming up against one of the best teams in the Championship, we’re going to go in and stress the game model and see what it looks like against a really good team with really good players.”
Welcoming Mason Melia
Mason Melia has joined the Imps on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur and took part in his first training session with his teammates ahead of the Carabao Cup fixture against Derby County.
Talking about City's latest addition, Cohen said: “He’s been someone we were really interested in when he was playing in Ireland and was firmly on our radar, but he chose to go to Tottenham and to a massive club but we’re so excited to have him.
“He trained today for the first time, and I know he’s 18-years-old which people think is really young, but he’s been playing men’s football for a long time, and his physicality and ability has already shone.”
Callum Elder’s thoughts
The Imps’ first summer recruit was experienced Sky Bet Championship defender, Callum Elder, who joins City off the back a three-season stint with Derby County, making 86 appearances in white. Elder is quickly faced with the proposition of a match against former teammates, and he spoke about how he’s feeling ahead of the game.
He said: “Everyone at the football club has made me feel really welcome and it's been good to get a block of pre-season work in, but the real stuff starts on Saturday, so everyone is raring to go.”
He added: “A big reason as to why I came to the club is the momentum that is building on and off the pitch, it’s an exciting time for everyone involved and hopefully Saturday will be no different.”
H2H
These two sides met in round one of this competition 18 years ago, it was Ben Wright who opened the scoring for City that day before a Nathan Ellington hat trick meant the Rams advanced after 120 minutes of football. They then went on to have a monumental cup run, reaching the semi-final where they were ultimately defeated 4-3 on aggregate by reigning Premier League champions, Manchester United.
The Imps’ latest trip to Pride Park came in the 2023/24 Sky Bet League One season where the Rams went on to finish second and earn automatic promotion. It was once again a 3-1 victory for the hosts that day with Danny Mandroiu scoring City’s goal from the penalty spot whilst familiar face, James Collins, was also on the scoresheet that day.
Match Information
City will sport their home threads for the first time in a competitive fixture during their clash with the Rams. You can buy yours online now here!
Josh Smith will be the man in the middle off the back of refereeing last season’s play-off final between Bolton Wanderers and Stockport County. He will be assisted by Conor Brown and Daniel Woodward, while William Davis will serve as the fourth official.
Due to EFL broadcasting regulations, there will be no video stream available of the game. Audio commentary can be purchased by clicking here!
