Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Championship match.
We're confident that Derby County will take points home from Deepdale, even though it's not the most popular prediction? Let us explain.
Preston North End
Well, for starters, conceding three goals to Portsmouth at Fratton Park and managing to lose is quite a feat. No other team has done that this season, and Preston North End have become the first (1:3). And a quick note on how the goals were conceded. The first two goals came as a result of corners, and the third was a penalty in the 89th minute. All of these are free kicks and corners. Remember this fact.
Derby County
Now, onto the visitors’ latest game. In the 15th round, Derby County drew at home with Plymouth Argyle (1:1). They also scored from a corner. However, they conceded from a direct free kick. This isn’t just a lucky goal for County—Derby is the most successful team in the Championship when it comes to scoring from free kicks and corners, having netted 10 goals this way, three more than their closest rivals. This accounts for more than half of their total goals (19). It's worth adding that Preston are the most undisciplined team in the league by a significant margin (45 yellow cards, 2 red cards). And with fouls come free kicks and corners, which means more opportunities for Derby County.
Preston North End vs Derby County Prediction
These complementary oppositions should guarantee at least one, if not more, goals for the visitors, which is why we believe so strongly in their positive result. We are going with a double chance for Derby County
