Preston are fourth in the Championship after back-to-back league wins
Derby have steered clear of the drop zone but hopes of a play-off spot have faded
Recommended bet: Both teams to score
Preston have maintained a strong promotion challenge under Paul Heckingbottom and currently sit fourth in the table, just three points off an automatic spot.
The Lilywhites went out of the FA Cup last weekend with a 1-0 loss at home to Wigan but now bid to make it three league wins in a row since the turn of the year.
Derby also exited the FA Cup, losing 3-1 at home to Leeds. Their recent form has been shaky, although they did beat second-placed Middlesbrough 1-0 at home on New Year’s Day.
The Rams are 13th going into the weekend and, while they should be safe from relegation, their chances of a promotion challenge look slim.
The latest Preston vs Derby odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Pol Valentin started last week’s FA Cup game for Preston and looks set to retain his place on the right of midfield ahead of Brad Potts.
Robbie Brady, Lewis Gibson and Andrija Vukcevic are all sidelined.
Derby boss John Eustace at last has midfield options, with Lewis Travis and David Ozoh in the squad again after injury and Oscar Fraulo joining from Borussia Monchengladbach.
Defender Dion Sanderson is doubtful but Matt Clarke is set to return at the back after missing the FA Cup game.
The latest Preston vs Derby odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Preston have lost just five out of 26 in the Championship.
The Lilywhites have won only one of their last six at home in all competitions.
The hosts rank joint-top for draws (10) in the division.
Derby are fifth in the Championship on away form.
The Rams have won just three of their last 12 games in all competitions.
The visitors have scored on their last seven away trips.
Prediction
Preston have a good chance of a third league win in a row following their 3-0 home victory over bottom club Sheffield Wednesday and an impressive 2-0 on the road against fellow promotion contenders Bristol City.
Before that latest victory over the Robins, however, Heckingbottom’s outfit had been struggling to finish off all bar the poorest sides.
Their other three wins in their last 12 in the Championship were against Wednesday (home and away) and Oxford (away), the bottom two.
That has to raise doubt for favourite backers, especially as Derby have scored in their last seven away matches.
Preston failed to beat the last four opponents who came to Deepdale and found the back of the net.
Overall, the Lilywhites have beaten only Wednesday and Oxford on the last nine occasions when they have conceded.
Derby’s away scoring record is good and, with Preston finding the net in 11 out of 13 at home (including the last seven in a row), the chances of both teams scoring look high.
Back both teams to score, available at 23/25 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Preston vs Derby odds are available on LiveScore Bet
