Derby have not lost any of their last five matches at home to Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough have not managed a shut out in any of their last six road trips
Recommended bet: Derby draw no bet
Derby were battling against the drop for large parts of last season but they are hoping for a more positive 2026 as they prepare for two home matches in four days, starting with a key clash against second-placed Middlesbrough on New Year’s Day.
The Rams won just one of six December fixtures but they had a largely progressive 2025 and finished the year just six points adrift of the play-off places.
John Eustace’s side have just completed a couple of tough away games, drawing 1-1 at Birmingham and losing 2-1 at Leicester, but one of their New Year resolutions will be to find some improvement at Pride Park Stadium where they have won just three of 12 league matches this season.
Middlesbrough head to the East Midlands in a strong position although they have gone through a recent sticky spell with no goals scored and just one point taken from their last three matches.
Kim Hellberg got off to a flying start in the Boro hotseat, but his team have fallen eight points adrift of leaders Coventry and are just two points clear of third-placed Ipswich, who are among the form teams in the division.
The latest Derby vs Middlesbrough odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Derby continue to be without on-loan Crystal Palace midfielder David Ozoh and forward Carlton Morris due to injury.
Midfielder Lewis Travis returned to action as a late substitute in Monday’s defeat at Leicester but defender Max Johnston has not featured since October.
Joe Ward is available after serving a one-match ban.
Middlesbrough are waiting on international clearance as they strive to include centre-back Adilson Malanda, who was signed from Charlotte FC in the summer and loaned back to his former club.
Lukas Engel has returned from a loan to FC Cincinnati but lacks match fitness. They are stretched by injuries to defenders Darragh Lenihan, Dael Fry, George Edmundson and Alfie Jones and attackers Riley McGree and David Strelec.
The stats
Three of Derby’s last four wins have been by a 2-1 scoreline.
Derby have scored in their last 14 matches.
All of Derby’s last five fixtures have featured less than four goals.
The Rams have gone five home games without keeping a clean sheet.
Middlesbrough have won just three of their last 10 away fixtures.
The latest Derby vs Middlesbrough odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Derby have struggled to make the most of home advantage but they can take a big step forward by defeating injury-hit Middlesbrough.
After an initially smooth transition from the Swedish top flight to the Championship, Boro boss Hellberg is starting to discover the unforgiving nature of his new environment.
His team have gone three games without winning and suffered a galling 1-0 loss at home to Hull on Monday despite winning the shot count 23 to four.
Boro were without four injured centre-backs for the Hull game and their depleted defence could be exposed by Derby, who have an in-form striker, Patrick Agyemang, at the tip of their attack.
The Rams were unlucky to lose at Leicester but they can respond by claiming their ninth league win of the campaign.
