Derby vs. Preston Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips - bettingexpert
Derby welcome Preston to Pride Park on 2 April 2025 at 19:45 for a Championship clash, with both teams needing points for different reasons. With just seven rounds remaining in the competition’s 46-round season, every match bears significant weight.
Derby, currently in 22nd spot with 38 points, are fighting to escape relegation. They face a mid-table Preston side who sit 14th with 47 points. Derby are bookmakers’ slight favorites with odds of 2.41 to win, reflecting their recent home form, including victories over Coventry and Blackburn.
Preston’s relatively inconsistent form sees them coming off a recent FA Cup loss to Aston Villa. They’ve not been prolific in front of goal, averaging just 0.60 goals in their last five games.
Considering both teams’ recent draws and balanced play, a draw looks like a solid bet for punters, offering a well-rounded payout. This matchup, with its crucial points at stake, promises an intriguing encounter.
Derby vs Preston Prediction & Betting Tip
| Derby vs Preston Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Draw | 2.93 |
- Both teams have drawn in two of their last five encounters.
- Recent performances suggest even competition with a draw likely.
- A draw reflects balanced play and offers a solid payout.
Given Derby’s fight to escape the relegation zone and Preston’s mid-table positioning, both sides will be eager to secure points. However, with their balanced recent history and similar clean sheet statistics, a draw seems the most likely outcome.
Derby vs Preston Odds
| Derby vs Preston Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Derby | 2.41 |
| Draw | 2.93 |
| Preston | 3.18 |
Given the tight odds, this match promises to be competitive.
Derby are the slight favourites, thanks largely to their home advantage at Pride Park and their recent strong form with three wins in their last five games.
Preston, however, are no pushovers and have been quite solid on the road this season.
A draw is a realistic outcome considering the even history between these teams and their recent performances.
Derby Team Analysis
Derby Recent Performance
| Derby | Away Team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plymouth | Derby | 2025-03-15 | Championship | 2-3 (Win) |
| Derby | Coventry | 2025-03-11 | Championship | 2-0 (Win) |
| Derby | Blackburn | 2025-03-08 | Championship | 2-1 (Win) |
| Middlesbrough | Derby | 2025-03-01 | Championship | 1-0 (Loss) |
| Derby | Millwall | 2025-02-22 | Championship | 0-1 (Loss) |
Derby have shown impressive form lately, with three consecutive wins against Plymouth, Coventry, and Blackburn. However, they have also suffered two narrow defeats against Middlesbrough and Millwall.
Their new attacking approach seems fruitful, scoring an average of 1.40 goals per game in their last five matches. Despite only keeping one clean sheet in the same period, they have looked solid defensively, especially at home. As they continue to fight against relegation, each match becomes critical for John Eustace’s men.
Derby Key Players
Derby’s recent form has seen several key players stepping up, especially top scorer Jerry Yates, who has netted seven goals this season. Yates will be crucial in breaking through Preston’s defence and is expected to lead the attack alongside Marcus Harness.
In midfield, look out for Ebou Adams and Harrison Armstrong, who have been pivotal in controlling the tempo of the game. Their battles against Preston’s midfield will be key to Derby’s success.
Defensively, Nathaniel Phillips and Matt Clarke need to maintain their solid performances to keep Emil Riis Jakobsen, Preston’s top scorer, at bay.
Expected lineup for Derby:
- Goalkeeper: Jacob Widell Zetterström
- Defenders: Nathaniel Phillips, Matt Clarke, Craig Forsyth
- Midfielders: Ryan Nyambe, Ebou Adams, Harrison Armstrong, Liam Thompson, Callum Elder
- Attackers: Jerry Yates, Marcus Harness
Derby Suspensions & Injuries
Derby County faces a challenging injury list that could significantly impact their performance against Preston. Here’s a breakdown of the injuries and their expected return dates:
| Player | Injury | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Curtis Nelson | Cruciate ligament injury | Early October 2025 |
| Dajaune Brown | Hamstring injury | Late May 2025 |
| Corey Blackett-Taylor | Hamstring injury | Early April 2025 |
| David Ozoh | Thigh injury | Out for the season |
| Nathaniel Mendez-Laing | Knee injury | Mid April 2025 |
| Ben Osborn | Hamstring injury | Early May 2025 |
| Kemar Roofe | Hamstring injury | Early April 2025 |
| Lars-Jorgen Salvesen | Knee surgery | Late July 2025 |
| Kane Wilson | Knock injury | About a week |
Derby will miss several key players due to these injuries, which could hamper their chances of securing a crucial win. The absence of Curtis Nelson and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, in particular, weakens their defensive and attacking options, making the task for coach John Eustace even more daunting.
Derby Tactics and Formation
Derby Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 3-5-2
- Key Forwards: Jerry Yates, Marcus Harness
- Midfield Core:
- Right Midfielder: Ryan Nyambe
- Central Midfielders: Ebou Adams, Harrison Armstrong, Liam Thompson
- Left Midfielder: Callum Elder
- Defensive Line:
- Right Center Back: Nathaniel Phillips
- Central Back: Matt Clarke
- Left Center Back: Craig Forsyth
- Goalkeeper: Jacob Widell Zetterström
Derby, under the guidance of John Eustace, will likely stick to their 3-5-2 formation. This setup aims to maintain a balance between attacking and defending. With Yates and Harness up front, Derby hopes to capitalize on their offensive abilities. The midfield five are expected to press high and swiftly transition from defense to attack. The back three will need to stay solid, especially given the team’s recent clean sheets.
Derby vs Preston Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 2 April 2025
Preston Team Analysis
Preston Recent Performance LWDWD
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preston | Aston Villa | 2025-03-30 | FA Cup | 0-3 (Loss) |
| Preston | Portsmouth | 2025-03-15 | Championship | 2-1 (Win) |
| Sunderland | Preston | 2025-03-11 | Championship | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Sheffield United | Preston | 2025-03-08 | Championship | 1-0 (Loss) |
| Preston | Swansea | 2025-03-04 | Championship | 0-0 (Draw) |
Preston’s recent form has been a mixed bag with a pattern of losses, draws, and a crucial win against Portsmouth. Their last five outings have resulted in one win, two draws, and two losses, reflecting rather inconsistent form.
Recent Form: LWDWD
Average Goals Scored: 0.60 per match in the last five games
Clean Sheets: 1 clean sheet in the last five matches
Despite scoring in 74% of their away matches this season, Preston struggled to find the net consistently in recent games. They will need to be more clinical in front of goal and tighten up defensively, especially in the final stages, where they have conceded the most.
Preston Key Players
Preston’s squad is headlined by Emil Riis Jakobsen, the team’s top scorer with 10 goals this season. His ability to find the back of the net will be crucial if Preston is to break down Derby’s defenses. Also, keep an eye on Will Keane, who partners with Jakobsen up front and adds another layer of threat.
Expected lineup for Preston:
- Goalkeeper: Freddie Woodman
- Defenders: Ryan Porteous, Lewis Gibson, Liam Lindsay
- Midfielders: Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Stefán Teitur Thórdarson, Ryan Ledson, Jayden Meghoma, Mads Frøkjær-Jensen
- Attackers: Emil Riis Jakobsen, Will Keane
Key individual battles to watch include Jakobsen and Keane against Derby’s back three of Nathaniel Phillips, Matt Clarke, and Craig Forsyth. Their performance could very well dictate the eventual outcome of this clash.
Preston Suspensions & Injuries
Preston are grappling with several injuries and a suspension that could influence their performance against Derby.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Jack Whatmough | Calf Injury | Early April 2025 |
| Alistair McCann | Leg Injury | Early April 2025 |
| Milutin Osmajic | Hip Injury | Doubtful |
| Brad Potts | Hamstring Injury | Early April 2025 |
| Player | Suspension | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Sam Greenwood | Yellow/Red Card | 1 match left |
The absence of Jack Whatmough and Alistair McCann due to injuries could weaken Preston’s defense and midfield balance. Milutin Osmajic’s hip ailment leaves his participation in doubt, adding further uncertainty to the squad.
The suspension of Sam Greenwood following a yellow/red card limits Preston’s midfield options, potentially affecting their creativity and depth. These issues combined might make it challenging for Preston to secure a favourable outcome at Pride Park.
Preston Tactics and Formation
Preston Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 3-4-1-2
- Key Forwards: Emil Riis Jakobsen and Will Keane
- Midfield Core: Mads Frøkjær-Jensen in the attacking midfield role, supported by Ryan Ledson, Stefán Teitur Thórdarson, and Jayden Meghoma
- Defensive Structure: A back three of Ryan Porteous, Lewis Gibson, and Liam Lindsay
- Goalkeeper: Freddie Woodman
- Notable Strategy: Prefers to capitalize on precise counter-attacks and maximize scoring opportunities in the final third
Preston typically employs a solid 3-4-1-2, balancing defensive rigidity with fluid offensive transitions. Frøkjær-Jensen plays a pivotal role in linking the midfield to the forwards, while Jakobsen and Keane provide a potent attacking threat. The defensive unit relies on disciplined positioning and effective communication to thwart opposition attacks. Though they’ve had mixed results lately, their strategy involves strong second-half performances, aiming to exploit any late-game frailties in the opposition.
Derby vs Preston Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preston | Derby | 2024-11-23 | Championship | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Derby | Preston | 2022-04-02 | Championship | 1-0 (Win) |
| Preston | Derby | 2021-10-16 | Championship | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Preston | Derby | 2021-04-20 | Championship | 3-0 (Loss) |
| Derby | Preston | 2020-12-26 | Championship | 0-1 (Loss) |
The last five encounters between Derby and Preston have seen varied outcomes. Two matches ended in draws, while each team secured wins in the remaining games. Derby notably won their most recent home game against Preston with a 1-0 scoreline. This history suggests an evenly matched contest awaits.
Odds accurate as of 31 March 2025 19:46, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
