Accrington Stanley vs Derby Predictions

Accrington Stanley are out for an upset on Saturday, as they prepare to face Championship side Derby County. The League One side will be aiming for another shock victory, after putting out Ipswich in the last round. However, the visitors are set to come here with a strong side, as the Rams chase another cup run. While promotion to the Premier League is the main goal for the visitors, we expect Derby to make this trip chasing a victory in front of the TV cameras.

Accrington are sat in mid-table in the third tier, so this cup clash should liven up their campaign. There’s not a huge amount for them to push for in the coming months. That’s been clear in their recent results, as their success over Ipswich was their only win in the last six matches. The hosts were lucky to face a side who they’ll likely meet again later this year. The Tractor Boys are the Championship’s bottom club, and they went into that Third Round tie demoralised and distracted by their plight in the league. It’s hard to see Stanley getting that lucky again.

Derby have had a strong season under Frank Lampard, who has got them pushing for a Premier League place. However, he’s also transformed the Rams’ fortunes in the cups. They won on penalties at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup, before going out in a 3-2 thriller against Chelsea. Since then, they’ve managed to see off Southampton in the third round, meaning they’ve now scored twice in all four meetings with top flight sides this season. That’s due to Lampard’s faith in putting his strongest side out, so expect to see a strong Rams line-up here.

Lampard was the kind of player to reject a FA Cup rest, pushing for silverware. While his side aren’t likely to lift the cup this term, the four-time FA Cup winner will be looking to get his side into the last 16. They’ve been handed a favourable draw, which gives the Rams the chance to progress. They make this trip as favourites, as they prepare to face a side who have lost 10 times in the third tier this term.

Derby’s great cup record makes us think that they’re great value here. They’ve already impressed away at three Premier League sides, so we see them edging out Stanley in this clash. We’re backing Derby for the victory, while we see them continuing their great scoring run, as we’re going for a 2-1 victory alongside the away win.