Sunday’s hosts, Derby County, ended a dismal run of 4 matches without a win in the Championship last weekend when they registered a slightly surprising 3-1 win away from home at Sheffield Wednesday.
The win against The Owls at Hillsborough was particularly surprising as Philip Cocu’s side had managed to pick up just 2 away wins on the road throughout this season prior to that victory, so The Rams will be in fairly confident mood as they return to Pride Park for this upcoming encounter against Blackburn Rovers.
Derby County sit mid-table in the Championship and this is probably a fair account of their season to date as they’ve produced solid form at home but have struggled on their travels so far this term.
The Rams have lost just twice at home all season so far, having accumulated 9 wins and 7 draws, but it’s the high number of draws that have held the hosts back in terms of making a serious challenge for a play-off spot.
Instead, the goal markets appeal here, especially the both teams to score market as 10 of Derby’s 18 home matches have resulted in both teams hitting the back of the net.
Blackburn Rovers continue to hover on the fringes of the play-off pack in the Championship following their point in a 2-2 draw at home with Swansea City last weekend which extended their unbeaten run in the second tier to 5 matches.
Recent wins against Hull City and Charlton Athletic have since been followed by three draws on the trot, but Rovers are still within striking distance of a top six spot as they trail 6th placed Preston North End by just a 3-point margin ahead of this weekend’s action.
Blackburn also bring a 4-match unbeaten run on their travels into this clash in the east midlands having also recorded a 5-0 thrashing of Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough along with points picked up in draws with Middlesbrough and Brentford in 1-1 and 2-2 draws respectively.
However, the fact that Rovers have already lost 8 away matches to date this season makes the straight win markets a risky proposition, but the goals market again appeals here as 11 of Blackburn’s 17 away matches have seen both teams score as well.
This could therefore end in a 1-1 score draw, but both teams to score looks likely.