Derby vs Preston Predictions

• At least two goals have been scored in Derby’s last three games
• At least two goals have been scored in six of Preston’s last eight matches in all competitions
• These teams produced a 1-1 draw at Deepale in November

Preston can press pause on Rams’ revival

Derby County’s recent revival has given them renewed belief that they can avoid relegation, but they will be hard-pushed to make it four wins in a row against proud Preston on Wednesday.

North End were knocked out of the FA Cup by a Marcus Rashford-inspired Aston Villa on Sunday and will now turn their attentions back to the Championship. A disappointing haul of five points from a possible 12 in the four matches between the fifth and sixth rounds have seen the Lilywhites drop away from playoff contention.

Paul Heckingbottom’s team have lost five of their last nine away league games and amid a recent spate of wins for clubs in the Championship’s bottom three against mid-table sides, many will want to back the Rams in this one.

Clash can contain a couple of goals

But Preston have had a tough schedule of road games recently and competed well in narrow defeats against in-form Coventry and Sheffield United. They were denied a win at Sunderland by a late equaliser and can make life very difficult for John Eustace’s side too.

Derby are much-improved under the ex-Blackburn head coach, who has overseen wins against his former club, Coventry and Plymouth. A team that were not scoring regularly before he arrived, have hit multiple goals in their last three fixtures.

The odds on this clash featuring at least two goals look tempting because the Rams are in a scoring groove and Preston are pretty hard to beat. A 1-1 draw looks the most likely outcome, which would mirror the scoreline at Deepdale a few months ago.