Martyn Waghorn Derby County
Home  »  Football  »  Preston North End v Derby County betting tips: Rams to sink the Lilywhites again?

Preston North End v Derby County betting tips: Rams to sink the Lilywhites again?

| 01.02.2019
SPORTSBOOK ODDS

Odds and preview for tonight’s Championship clash

Alex Neil and his Preston North End side host Frank Lampard’s Derby County in the Friday night Championship fixture.

Derby are battling hard to remain within the top six in the league, with Preston having found their feet after a slow start to the campaign, moving up the table to 16th in recent weeks.

Last weekend, the Rams dispatched Accrington Stanley from the FA Cup, while the Lilywhites came through a tricky league clash against Stoke City with a 2-0 victory.

Both sides have won their last two in all competitions, and will be looking to maintain that streak.

It’s live on Sky Sports Football from 7:45pm tonight, so here are all of the odds and key info you need ahead of kick-off…

Head-to-head

The Rams have had their own way in this fixture the last three times they’ve faced off. They’ve won the last three matches to Nil, winning 1-0 twice and notching a 2-0 victory last time out.

It’s been 11 years and 11 matches since the Lilywhites last got the better of the Rams, losing eight and drawing three since.

Derby love travelling to play Preston away, and have won the last four they’ve played at Deepdale.

Likely XIs

Preston boss Neil will be without a handful of players through injury. Striker Louis Moult is ruled out after injuring his hamstring in a warm-up at Stoke last week.

Other injuries are more long-term, and include Callum Robinson, Billy Bodin and Josh Harrop. They’re suffering with hamstring and ACL injuries, and are scheduled to be back in early March.

Rams boss Lampard has had a tough time of things with his squad in the build-up to the game, with a number of players battling to be fit in time for Friday night.

On-loan midfielder Mason Mount will miss the clash with a hamstring injury, and Ashley Cole isn’t quite fit enough to be a starter, though he may play some part if needed.

Jack Marriott had been suffering from an illness, but has trained this week and is in contention. Tom Lawrence, Craig Bryson and Scott Carson are also back in contention, although Lampard reports Carson is still struggling with his kicking.

Right back Jayden Bogle picked up a red card in the FA Cup tie last weekend so will miss out through suspension.

Preston North End vs Derby County - Football tactics and formations

Key Battles

The main priority for Preston will be keeping Harry Wilson quiet. The young on-loan midfielder has been a revelation for the Rams this season, and is their top scorer with 10 league goals.

One way to stop Wilson is to prevent needless fouls around the box. The youngster has proven he’s a free-kick specialist. If there’s a dead-ball situation which can be struck at goal, he wouldn’t need a second invitation.

Derby will need to pay close attention to Alan Browne in the Lilywhites midfield, as he’s their most potent goal threat this campaign.

Like Wilson, the Irishman has netted 10 times already and will be looking to add to his tally. He’s also provided four assists, meaning he’s played a part in almost a third of their goals this season.

Derby are without their two first-choice right backs so that may be an area that Preston see as a weakness and look to attack down.

Match Odds

Both sides have looked strong in recent weeks, with the game very finely poised. Preston have the home advantage which puts them as favourites with our team at 13/10.

The Rams aren’t too far out and aren’t unfancied to get a result. Injuries may be the reason they’re sat as 21/10 underdogs.

Derby can look at this fixture with promise. They’ve won the last three against Preston to Nil. If you think they’ll win the game and prevent them from scoring, that’s 9/2 with our traders.

Marriott is favourite to open the scoring for Derby at 5/1, and he’s backed to score anytime at 7/4. Martyn Waghorn is also fancied at 7/1 to break the deadlock or 12/5 to score anytime.

Preston will be looking for someone to end their dry spell in front of goal against the Rams, and Jayden Stockley is favourite for that. He’s 11/2 to score first, or 2/1 to score anytime.

Click here for the latest Preston North End v Derby County odds.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publication.

«
»

Author

Drew Goodsell

Drew is a journalism graduate who closely follows American sports, focussing on the NBA and NFL. He also has a keen interest in all things football, paying regular attention to the Premier League, Bundesliga and Ligue 1.