Both Derby County and Middlesbrough started this new Championship campaign with new managers at the helm, but it’s been Derby County that have fared the better so far in this season’s Championship…
After a slow start to the season which saw Derby pick up just 1 win out of their first 8 matches of the new term under new boss, Philip Cocu, The Rams have since woken up to register recent wins against Birmingham City, Luton Town and Wigan Athletic.
Although Derby have also recently suffered defeats to Charlton Athletic 3-0 and a 2-0 loss to Hull City, both of these defeats were inflicted upon Cocu’s men on the road where, it must be said, Derby have been dreadful so far this season, picking up just 1 win from their 7 matches on their travels.
However, Derby’s results and form at Pride Park have been encouraging as The Rams have lost just once so far this season and head into this upcoming clash against lowly Middlesbrough with a 5-match unbeaten run.
A note of caution though - Derby have been involved in a number of draws already this season, so the goals market may still be the best option here as 5 of Derby’s 7 home matches to date have resulted in under 2.5 goals.
Onto Middlesbrough, and their manager (and former player), Jonathan Woodgate appears to just be clinging onto his position at the north-east club but time may soon be running out, especially if Middlesbrough suffer defeat at Pride Park on Saturday.
The visitors have managed to scrape just 2 wins so far in this season’s Championship with victories over Wigan Athletic and Reading, but both of these were recorded on home turf at their Riverside Stadium, while Boro are still waiting for their first away win of this new term.
Boro have drawn 3 and lost 3 on their travels to date with draws at Luton Town, Bristol City and Huddersfield Town, while also being on the end of defeats at Blackburn Rovers, Cardiff City and Birmingham City.
A Middlesbrough win away at Derby County seems unlikely but again, the possibility of the draw also can’t be ruled out where Boro are concerned, while 3 of their 6 away matches have resulted in under 2.5 goals.
Derby may find Middlesbrough hard to break down even at home while Woodgate and his Middlesbrough outfit cannot afford another defeat. This could therefore be a low-scoring encounter.