Derby vs Wolverhampton Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Wolves fans must be buzzing for the season to start. A fantastic Championship winning season after finishing 14th and 15th the two years prior. Manager Nuno Espírito Santo has absolutely transformed this once sorry looking Wolves team into a side expected to be well clear of a relegation battle next season.

The players which were instrumental in their promotion last season like Barry Douglas and Rúben Neves are still at the club and their transfer dealings have once again been extremely ambitious. Buying players from the likes of Atlético Madrid and Monaco will set them in good stead this year. And those that they’ve acquired haven’t been deadwood: an exciting young winger, one of their top defenders from last season who has signed permanently and João Moutinho who was arguably one of the best central midfielders in France one or two years ago. Nuno Espírito Santo and Wolves fans should be extremely excited for the year ahead as it is sure to be an enjoyable one. If they can hold on to their top players come the start of the season, then lower-mid table should be the aim for Wolves.

Their pre-season has been pretty solid with two wins and three draws against lofty opposition. They’ve matched Ajax already and given Young Boys the run around, so the spirits are high at the Molineux. They will be looking to break a run of back-to-back draws with a win at Pride Park by Frank Lampard’s men who have also enjoyed a solid pre-season.

Derby have been dancing around the play-off places for five seasons now without being able to break back into the Premier League. Seven managers since 2015 has spelled a long period of instability at the club but the high-profile appointment of Frank Lampard looks to change that. However, the risky appointment of the Premier League winner could go one of two ways. Either the ex-Chelsea man will hit the ground running and lead the Rams right up the table, taking advantage of the weakened Stoke and West Brom, and finish second, maybe even first if everything goes well. Alternatively, Lampard’s lack of managerial experience will cause Derby to absolutely crash, falling back to their days of finishing lower-mid table. But if their matches so far are anything to judge them by, it’ll be the former.

Four matches in and only one loss, the other three being victories over Coventry, Notts County and, most impressive of all, Southampton. New signings Florian Jozefzoon, Harry Wilson and Mason Mount were all involved in these games, but the attackers are still to get involved in the goals. Their best signing is still to make an appearance, though. Jack Marriott signed for the Rams on Thursday after a 56-game season at Peterborough which saw him score 33 times and get five assists along the way. This is an extremely exciting signing for Derby and he will surely be the catalyst which can turn this Derby side from play-off regulars to title winners. Marriott is likely to make his debut against Wolves.

Wolves are bright off the back of a fantastic title winning season and will only want to keep the good vibes flowing, a great result against their promotion rivals last season would be a good motivator on their way to the Premier League. Derby should also be targeting big things this season so will want to show they’re no pushovers. We’re backing a draw and under 2.5 goals, going by Wolves’ recent scores of 0-0 and two 1-1 draws. Derby have been good recently but looked poor against Mansfield and we believe they will just match the Premier League opposition blow for blow in this one.