Derby vs Preston Predictions

Derby County vs Preston predictions for this Championship action. Derby’s resurgence and home momentum clash with Preston’s inconsistency, and with both sides desperate for points, a draw looks the likely outcome in a tense Championship encounter at Pride Park. Read on for all our free Championship predictions and betting tips.

Championship | Apr 2, 2025 at 7.45pm UK at Pride Park Stadium

Derby vs Preston Predictions

Can Derby’s Scoring Surge Continue or Will Preston Spoil the Party?

• Goals flowing for Derby: The Rams have scored two or more in each of their last three Championship fixtures, a notable uptick in their attacking output.
• Preston rarely blank: The Lilywhites have found the net in six of their last eight matches across all competitions, despite recent defeats.
• Reverse fixture ended level: The last time these sides met, it finished 1-1 at Deepdale—and another score draw wouldn’t be out of place here.

Best Bet for Derby vs Preston

Pride Park prepares to host a potentially decisive night for Derby County as they welcome Preston North End in a clash that could have significant ramifications at both ends of the Championship table—even if for very different reasons. For Derby, this fixture could be another springboard in their unlikely escape mission from relegation, while for Preston, it’s less a battle for points and more about maintaining pride and finding direction in the late-season lull.

Derby’s resurgence has come just in time. After finding themselves staring into the abyss following a trio of defeats, John Eustace’s side have suddenly discovered belief—and goals. Back-to-back wins on home soil over Blackburn and Coventry, followed by an all-action 3-2 success away at fellow strugglers Plymouth, have breathed fresh life into a survival campaign that had looked increasingly doomed at the start of the month. They now sit just a whisker from safety, and crucially, with a game in hand. The break came at the perfect time to regroup further, and with experienced heads like Kemar Roofe and Jeff Hendrick added to the mix, this is no longer a team you can write off easily.

Preston, meanwhile, head into this midweek fixture having waved goodbye to their FA Cup hopes after being undone by Aston Villa’s second-half sharpness on Sunday. That defeat signalled the end of any real ambitions for glory this term, and you wonder if that might just take the edge off them here. Sat 14th in the table with little to chase, their motivation may be harder to muster than Derby’s desperate energy. Yet, Paul Heckingbottom’s side are no pushovers, and they’ve shown grit on the road in recent weeks—even if the final results haven’t always reflected their effort.

Best Bet for Derby vs Preston: Both Teams to Score

At BettingTips4You.com, we keep it simple. We don’t flood you with dozens of conflicting ideas—we give you one standout tip per match. That way, you know what we truly believe offers the best value. Our Best Bet for this Championship fixture? Both Teams to Score.

There’s a strong case here. Derby, once toothless in front of goal, are now averaging over two goals per game across their last three matches. The addition of Marcus Harness, who netted a brace against Plymouth, has given them a much-needed spark in the final third. Alongside Jerry Yates, they now pose a genuine threat every time they attack. And they’ll need to go for it again here with safety within touching distance.

But don’t expect Preston to roll over. While their recent results have been mixed, they’ve scored in six of their last eight games in all competitions. They’ve also kept themselves competitive even in games they’ve lost—narrowly falling to both Coventry and Sheffield United. With Bambo Diaby and Freddie Woodman out, their defensive shape has been tweaked, but the visitors still know how to hurt teams, particularly in transition.

“Derby’s attacking form is hard to ignore, but Preston rarely go down without a fight. With both teams likely to have their moments, BTTS looks rock-solid value.”
— BettingTips4You.com expert quote, Herrin Kendrick

Expect a tight but entertaining contest. Derby will press, Preston will punch back, and we’re likely to see the net ripple at both ends. A 1-1 scoreline wouldn’t shock anyone, and it feels like the most balanced reflection of the form and situation surrounding this encounter.

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