Derby vs Wigan Predictions

It was a huge weekend for Derby County, despite their 3-0 loss at Charlton. Wayne Rooney played his final MLS game ahead of a move to Pride Park, which has local fans excited. Now the Rams will need to up their game to match a player of Rooney’s reputation, but the hosts are currently in 15th place in the table as they approach this midweek clash with Wigan.

The hosts kicked off the campaign hoping to repeat their playoff final run of last season, but the Rams are miles away as it stands. The hosts are six points shy of the top six, while their form doesn’t suggest that they can mix it with the league’s top sides. Their 3-0 hammering at the hands of Charlton is also a concern, but Derby will be hoping to turn Pride Park into a fortress after a few good results here.

Wigan have turned their own ground into something of a fortress. They brought plenty of joy to Derby fans over the weekend as the Latics claimed a 1-0 home win over Nottingham Forest. That win still hasn’t taken Wigan fully away from the drop zone, with their poor away record holding them back. The Latics have barely won an away game since returning to the second tier, while that awful return has left them fighting against the drop.

Wigan are rank outsiders for this one, having lost five of their six trips so far. The visitors have lost back to back trips going into this one, while Derby won home and away to the Latics last term. Wigan have next to nothing to show for their away games this season, which leaves them joint-bottom of the away results table.

Derby have won four of their last five league games against Wigan (W4 D1 L0) since losing 2-1 in October 2014. They should be able to add to that good form based on how the visitors are playing. On top of that, Derby have won back to back home games, so they head into this one with the chance to secure all three points and put that Charlton result behind them. We are going with Derby as our tip here, as the hosts look like value considering how poor the Latics are on the road.

Wigan aren’t a great side going forward, while none of their last five matches have seen both teams score. The visitors have just three away goals in their last six trips, so we are going with a 2-0 win for the Rams, who should continue their recent scoring streak at home. We have faith that the Rams will score a couple here, so we are backing a 2-0 victory for the hosts as our correct score prediction this week.