Stoke City v Derby County Betting Tips – EFL Championship, 17th August 15.00pm
Nathan Jones’ Stoke City and Phillip Cocu’s Derby County clash in an EFL Championship fixture at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The pressure is already starting to mount on Jones, as the Potters have lost their opening two league matches. As for the Rams, they have four points to their name. Stoke are the slight favourites and they could really do with all three points in this one, but Derby are a very capable outfit. Which way will this one go in Staffordshire?
Stoke City v Derby County Betting Odds*
Stoke City 5/4
Draw 21/10
Derby County 5/2
* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on August 16th, 2019 at 11:30 a.m.)
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Table of Contents
Stoke City News and Form – Will the Potters crash to a third league defeat on Saturday?
Stoke started their season with a disappointing 2-1 home reverse against Queens Park Rangers. The Potters were two goals down before Sam Clucas’ consolation strike in the 78th minute. City were then beaten 3-1 by Championship new boys Charlton Athletic at The Valley last weekend.
Stoke did restore some pride in midweek, though, beating Wigan Athletic 1-0 at the DW Stadium in the first round of the EFL Cup. It was a pretty tight game, but Nathan Collins’ strike after just ten minutes proved to be enough for the Potters.
Jones has struggled to make an impact at the bet365 Stadium since taking over in January. In fact, under his guidance, Stoke have picked up just three Championship wins. Last season, no team in the second tier drew more matches than City, with 22 of their 46 league games ending all square.
Stoke picked up just eight home league wins last season, and they kicked off this campaign with a loss at the bet365. The Potters will be desperate for maximum points on Saturday.
Stoke City v Derby County Head to Head
The Potters picked up four points from the two Championship fixtures last season
Stoke have won three and drawn one of the last four league meetings
Sam Clucas and Tom Ince were on the scoresheet in a 2-1 Stoke win in the corresponding fixture last term
Derby have not beaten Stoke in league action since 2005
- Stoke have lost their opening two games
- The Potters picked up only eight home league wins last term
- Derby have taken four points from their first two Championship matches under Cocu
Derby County News and Form – Will the Rams extend their unbeaten start?
Life after Frank Lampard has started very well for Derby County, as they kicked off their Championship season with an away win at Huddersfield Town. Tom Lawrence was the Rams’ hero at the John Smith’s Stadium, netting twice before Karlan Grant pulled one back from the penalty spot.
Derby failed to follow up their opening weekend win with another victory in their last league outing, though, as Swansea City frustrated County in 0-0 draw at Pride Park. Nevertheless, Cocu’s troops returned to winning ways in midweek, beating Scunthorpe United 1-0 in the EFL Cup, with young Lee Buchanan scoring the only goal of the game.
Derby were excellent at Pride Park in the Championship last season, going on to claim an impressive 46 points. Things were a lot tougher on the road, with the Rams winning seven, drawing seven and losing nine of their 23 away league games. Having won away from home on the opening weekend, can Cocu’s side make it back-to-back away league victories this Saturday?
Derby head to the Potteries as the slight underdogs, with the bookies pricing them at 5/2 to return to the East Midlands with all three points. However, County will certainly fancy their chances in this one.
Stoke City v Derby County Tips & Odds
Derby County to win at 5/2
Derby County to win and both teams to score at 6/1
* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on August 16th, 2019 at 12:33 p.m.)
Stoke City v Derby County Predictions
Derby County win: Stoke City have really struggled for wins since dropping out of the Premier League. The Potters have made a woeful start, and they could struggle against Cocu’s organised Rams at the weekend. Derby have some very talented players, and I can see them sneaking a win at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday. Check out the County victory at the tempting odds of 5/2.
Despite losing both of their Championship matches so far, Stoke have scored in all three of their league and cup games this season. In fact, City have only failed to score in two of their last ten in all competitions. Because of that, have a punt on Derby to win and both teams to score at the eye-catching odds of 6/1.
