Derby County is set to host Southampton at Pride Park Stadium in the EFL Championship on Saturday. The hosts have had a challenging start to the season, securing only one win in their eight games, while the visitors have managed two wins.
Derby County’s recent performance has been underwhelming, with the team being winless in their last three league games. Their most recent outing resulted in a 1-1 draw against Charlton Athletic, with Matthew Clarke scoring the equalizing goal in the 79th minute.
In contrast, Southampton returned to winning ways in their previous game, defeating Sheffield United 2-1 away from home. Ross Stewart’s second-half brace was instrumental in securing the comeback victory.
The head-to-head record between the two teams shows that Derby County has the upper hand, with 28 wins in 72 encounters. The Saints have secured 20 wins, and 24 games have ended in draws. Their last meeting was in the FA Cup in 2019, which ended in a penalty shootout win for Derby County after two consecutive 2-2 draws.
Both teams have struggled to find the back of the net, with each scoring only 10 goals in eight league games this season. Southampton has recorded four wins across all competitions, with three of these victories coming away from home. Derby County, on the other hand, is winless at home across all competitions.
Derby County will be without several key players, including Corey Blackett-Taylor, Curtis Nelson, Rhian Brewster, and Liam Thompson, while Dion Sanderson’s availability will be determined after a late fitness test. Southampton’s only confirmed absentee is Welington, and manager Will Still is expected to make some changes to the starting lineup.
Given Southampton’s impressive away record in this fixture, having gone unbeaten in their last six games and scoring at least two goals in four of these encounters, they are likely to secure a narrow win. The predicted scoreline is Derby County 1-2 Southampton. Betting tips suggest that Southampton will win, with over 2.5 goals being scored, and both teams finding the back of the net. Additionally, at least one goal is expected to be scored in the second half.
