EFL Championship Betting Preview – Derby County

Rams to go one better this season?

Football Betting

EFL Championship Team Preview – Derby County

Derby County start life after Frank Lampard with a trip to Huddersfield Town on the opening weekend of the new EFL Championship season. Former PSV Eindhoven and Fenerbahce boss Phillip Cocu is the new man in charge at Pride Park. Having missed out on promotion to the Premier League in the Championship play-off final last term, how will the Rams fare this time around?

Who will win the Championship Title 2019/20?

Team
Leeds 9/2 7/2 9/2
Fulham 8/1 8/1 8/1
Cardiff 10/1 10/1 10/1
West Brom 12/1 10/1 10/1
Middlesbrough 14/1 14/1 12/1
Stoke 12/1 12/1 12/1
Derby 16/1 14/1 14/1
Huddersfield 20/1 14/1 16/1
Brentford 12/1 14/1 14/1
Sheff Wed 20/1 16/1 18/1

* (Betting Odds were taken from Bet365, Betvictor & Ladbrokes on July 16th, 2019 at 12:30 p.m.)
Derby County to win the Championship Title 2019/20 at bet365

Cocu to be a hit with the fans?

Derby’s new boss had a very successful playing career. The Dutchman was a real fans’ hero during his time with Barcelona, helping the club win La Liga in 1999. In his native Holland with PSV Eindhoven, Cocu won four Eredivisie titles and two KNVB Cups.

He also enjoyed success at PSV as a manager, guiding the Red and Whites to three Dutch championships, one KNVB Cup and two Johan Cruyff Shields. He spent five dominant years in Eindhoven before taking over Fenerbahce last summer.

 

Hudds v Derby
Hudds13/10
Derby47/20

Bet at 22Bet

 

Unfortunately for Cocu, things did not quite work out for him Turkey, winning just 20% of his games there. He was sacked in October last year having spent only four months in Istanbul. Cocu had just ten league matches in charge, picking up a mere nine points.

After his poor time in Turkey, Cocu will be looking to make amends in the Championship with Derby. The Dutchman certainly has plenty of experience, but this league is one of the toughest in the game.

Life after Lampard

Lampard became an instant hit with the Derby fans. He was only in charge for a year, but the ex-England ace was building something very special at Pride Park, turning the squad into the perfect blend of youth and experience.

However, when Chelsea came calling in the summer, it was too good a job to turn down for the Blues legend. Although with a heavy heart, Lampard left Pride Park to take over at Stamford Bridge in early July.

Lampard guided County to sixth place last term, eventually losing out in the Championship play-off final to Aston Villa. Nevertheless, it was a very successful season for the club, who often flatter to deceive.

Replicating Lampard’s success will be a tough task for the new Derby boss, but Cocu is undoubtedly a talented manager.

 

Key-Facts – Derby County

  • Derby missed out on promotion by losing the 2019 Championship play-off final to Aston Villa
  • The Rams were beaten just three times at Pride Park last term
  • County have spent 11 successive years in the second tier

 

Arrivals & departures

A number of loan players have returned to their parent clubs, while the likes of Craig Bryson, Bradley Johnson, Luke Thomas and Ashley Cole have also departed Pride Park this summer.

Graeme Shinnie has arrived from Aberdeen, whereas Kieran Dowell has made the loan move to Pride Park from Everton. Cocu will be hoping to sign a few more players before the season gets underway.

Can the Rams make the top six?

This will be an extremely competitive division this season. Huddersfield Town, Cardiff City and Fulham have dropped down from the Premier League, while the likes of Leeds United, West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough – among others – have been tipped for success.

It will be interesting to see how Cocu does at Pride Park, but if he can get off to a flying start in August, the Rams could be in the promotion mix again this season. At the time of writing, the Midlands club are available at 9/4 for a top six finish, while you can get them at 16/1 (bet365) to win the league.

Like last season, making the top six will be the number priority for the Rams, but several clubs have the same idea.

Derby County Tips & Odds

To be promoted at 11/2
To finish in the top six at 9/4
* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on July 16th, 2019 at 12:30 p.m.)

Predicted finish

Derby kick off their Championship campaign with a trip to the John Smith’s Stadium to take on Huddersfield on the opening weekend. All eyes will be on Cocu as he takes charge of the Rams for the first time. County are one of the big hitters in the second tier, and the Midlands outfit will be gunning for promotion again. Derby are priced at 11/2 to go one better and book their place in next season’s Premier League. Meanwhile, you can get them at 9/4 to finish in the top six.