Middlesbrough v Derby

Middlesbrough vs Derby Preview

Middlesbrough returned to winning ways in the Championship during the week when Boro registered a welcome and desperately needed 3-1 win away from home at Stoke City which ended a previously worrying run of five defeats on the trot, but the north-east hosts will now be eyeing off back-to-back wins this Saturday.

Derby County's woes continued last weekend when The Rams suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Millwall as new manager John Eustace still searches for his first win as Derby County manager following his recent move from Blackburn Rovers.

Middlesbrough had previously endured a tough but ultimately disappointing five-match losing streak in the English second tier as Michael Carrick's side slumped to losses at the hands of Preston NE, Sunderland, Sheffield United, Watford and Bristol City respectively.

These recent losses have resulted with Middlesbrough falling down the Championship table to a disappointing 11th place but Boro still only trail sixth placed Blackburn Rovers by a four-point margin and the majority of this deficit may be eroded if Middlesbrough can pick up all three points here against lowly strugglers, Derby County.

Despite their recent poor run of results, Middlesbrough have stumbled to just two defeats in their last eight home games at the Riverside Stadium, picking up three wins in the process with victories over Hull City, Millwall and West Brom respectively.

Derby County have a new manager in the shape of John Eustace at the helm but The Rams' problems still remain the same two games into Eustace's tenure at Pride Park as the east midlands club have suffered defeats at the hands of QPR 4-0 away and Millwall 1-0 at home, although the latter was a goal scored deep into injury time.

It's now 11 league matches without a win in the Championship for Derby County who have been handed no fewer than nine losses within this period, four of which have been dealt out to The Rams on their travels.

Defeats on the road at Sheffield Wednesday, Bristol City, Cardiff City and QPR respectively suggest this upcoming trip to Teeside to take on Middlesbrough still looks a daunting prospect for Derby County, despite Middlesbrough's recent problems.

The bigger picture also underlines the extent of Derby County's struggles in this season's Championship campaign as the east midlands club have managed to capture just two wins from their previous 20 matches overall in the domestic second tier, which came via wins against Portsmouth and West Brom, both of which were on home soil at Pride Park.

Middlesbrough v Derby County Verdict

Middlesbrough have won each of the last two meetings at home against Derby County in 4-1 and 3-0 victories respectively, and whilst it may not be quite as emphatic this Saturday, Boro look to hold the edge here.

Therefore, our main bet will be Middlesbrough win @ 1.61

Other side bets worth considering:

Correct Score: Middlesbrough 2-0 @ 8.00