Newcastle vs Derby Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

This is a really big game at the top end of the table. Victory for Newcastle over a promotion rival would ease fears that their current dip in form could turn into something more serious. However, the Rams could land a real statement of intent by winning at St James’ and the way they’ve been playing, you couldn’t rule that out.

Steve McClaren returns to Tyneside here and he’s unlikely to receive the warmest of welcomes. Many blame him for the side’s relegation last season and with some justification you have to say. While Newcastle and McClaren clearly wasn’t the right fit, he seems to be the perfect man for Derby. The Rams have been as good as anyone in this league since he returned to the East Midlands club and the former England boss has transformed their season.

They come into this game on a high following a 3-0 win at Ipswich in midweek and it’s just 3 defeats in 21 matches for the Rams since Nigel Pearson departed. They’ve won 13 of them and their excellent defensive record of just 0.75 goals per game conceded this term in the Championship could be key here, as they bid to thwart the free-scoring Geordies. Derby are not without attacking threats of their own though with Tom Ince enjoying a real purple patch. He has scored 10 goals in his last 15 appearances so backing Ince to score anytime at 10/3 looks to offer really good value here.

Further reason to think Derby could cause an upset comes from Newcastle’s home record or more specifically the fact that they’ve already suffered 4 home defeats this term, in a division many expected them to dominate. Top scorer Dwight Gayle is still struggling with a hamstring problem and may miss out again which would be a huge blow. They’ve been very unconvincing in their last two games, going down to a 3-0 defeat at League One Oxford in the FA Cup before being held at home by lowly QPR in the league in midweek.

Rafa Benitez has also spoken about his disappointment at failing to land transfer targets in January and what promised to be a cruise to promotion now looks slightly more doubtful. Certainly at 3/4 they look far too short to back for the win given those issues and how strong Derby have been so backing Double Chance – Draw or Derby at 23/20 looks like it could be the best approach here.