Derby vs Preston Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

These two sides still have an outside chance of making the play-offs but it will certainly require a stunning run of form between now and the end of the season. Derby are the team more capable of that and they look the more likely victors here.

They ended a 7 game winless streak on Saturday, having come from behind to do so, so ought to at least come into this game in a bit more confident mood. They are a side that possesses lots of genuine quality at this level and their home record is pretty solid, certainly under Steve McClaren. They’ve only lost 1 of their 13 home Championship games under him and have won 8 of those games. The Rams have kept a clean sheet in 61% of their league matches at Pride Park this term, which clearly is exceptional so Preston will have to work hard to break them down.

At the other end, they have had few reliable sources for goals but they’ve been able to rely on Tom Ince. He has netted 12 times in the league, which is great for a wide player who was on target again on Saturday. You can back Ince to score anytime at 15/8 here which looks to offer value.

Preston had the chance to really force themselves into the battle for play-off positions when they travelled to 7th place Fulham on Saturday but a 3-1 defeat has left them perhaps too far back to seriously challenge. They’ve been excellent at Deepdale in recent months but have struggled for goals and points on the road. They’ve only taken 3 points from their last 5 Championship away games and also failed to score in 3 of those games.

Pride Park is still one of the toughest grounds in the league to go to and the Rams should be capable of edging this, so backing Derby to Win at 17/20 looks like the way to go and the recent head-to-head backs that up.