Derby vs Cardiff predictions: Rams to bounce back from opening day defeat
Elliott Bretland
Derby surrendered half-time lead and lost 2-1 away at Charlton last Saturday
Cardiff scored injury-time equaliser to earn a point against Wrexham
Recommended Bet: Derby to win, both teams to score & over 9.5 corners @ 5/1 with LiveScore Bet
Derby host newly-promoted Cardiff City in the Championship on Saturday afternoon and will be aiming for a home win after losing their opener.
The Rams led Charlton at The Valley but came away from the capital with nothing after the Addicks fought back to take the three points.
Cardiff faced Welsh rivals Wrexham and drew 1-1, rescuing a point as Rubin Colwill struck a free-kick in the 98th minute.
Team News
Derby forward Sammie Szmodics, who has scored in both games this season, is struggling with a thigh issue while defender Matt Clarke has been ruled out for three months due to a calf injury. Derry Murkin remains unavailable after suffering a hamstring problem.
Cardiff have a few injury concerns at the back with Gabriel Osho a doubt after hurting his knee in the draw with Wrexham. Defender Calum Chambers will be assessed after also dealing with a knee problem.
Dylan Lawlor and Will Fish have already been ruled out of the trip to Pride Park due to injury.
The Stats
Derby have lost both games 2-1 this season, suffering defeats against Lincoln and Charlton.
Cardiff’s 1-1 draw with Wrexham featured a total of 18 corners on Monday night.
The home team have won six of the last ten meetings between the sides, dating back to 2017.
Derby have won just one of their last eight league games against Cardiff (drawing two and losing five).
Cardiff were the top scorers in League One last season, scoring a total of 90 goals.
The latest Derby vs Cardiff odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Derby will be eager to record a first victory of the season when they take on Cardiff at Pride Park.
The Rams lost 2-1 to Championship newcomers Lincoln City in the League Cup and were defeated by the same scoreline at Charlton last week despite leading at the break.
This is Derby’s third consecutive season at this level and John Eustace will hope
his men can use their second-tier experience to get the better of the newly-promoted Bluebirds, who have won just one of their last four games on the road.
Cardiff rescued a late point against Wrexham with an injury-time equaliser and it means all four games featuring the Bluebirds and Derby this season have seen both sides score.
As Cardiff and the Rams have found the net in both matches while also failing to keep a clean sheet, backing both teams to score could prove a smart bet.
Looking at set-pieces, Cardiff’s draw on Monday featured a total of 18 corners while Derby’s loss in London saw nine. With an end-to-end game expected at Pride Park, betting on over 9.5 corners may be a wise decision.
Score prediction: Derby 2-1 Cardiff
Back Derby to win, both teams to score & over 9.5 corners @ 5/1 with LiveScore Bet
