Derby CountyvsBlackburn Rovers

Current Form and Recent Performances

Derby County is currently in a challenging phase, having not won in their last 12 games and suffering three consecutive defeats in their recent matches. Their recent losses to Watford, Sunderland, and Cardiff City highlight their struggles, particularly in front of goal, as they have failed to score in their last three matches. This lack of offensive output is concerning, especially when facing a team like Blackburn Rovers, who have shown resilience despite their own recent setbacks.

Blackburn Rovers, on the other hand, are sitting in 7th place in the Championship, just two points off the play-off spots. Despite a recent 2-1 loss to Bristol City, they have been more consistent than Derby County. Their ability to convert chances into goals has been questioned, but players like Makhtar Gueye have been in good form. Blackburn's recent signings, including Dion Sanderson and Adam Forshaw, could provide the necessary boost to their squad depth.

Head-to-Head and Historical Insights

Historically, Blackburn Rovers have had the upper hand against Derby County. In their last 30 meetings, Blackburn has won 14 times compared to Derby's 9 victories. Notably, Derby County has not won any of their last five encounters against Blackburn, with the latter winning all five. This trend suggests a psychological edge for Blackburn, which could play a significant role in the upcoming match.

The most common result when Derby hosts Blackburn is a 1-2 loss for Derby, which has occurred three times. This historical pattern, combined with Derby's current form, suggests that Blackburn could capitalize on Derby's vulnerabilities, particularly in defense.

Key Players and Tactical Considerations

For Derby County, Jerry Yates remains their top scorer with 7 goals, but the team will need more than individual brilliance to overcome their current slump. The absence of consistent goal-scoring support has been a significant issue. Meanwhile, Blackburn's Andreas Weimann, also with 7 goals, will be a key player to watch. His ability to find the net could be crucial in a match where both teams are likely to score, given their defensive frailties.

Blackburn's tactical approach, focusing on exploiting the latter stages of the game where they score 33% of their goals, could be pivotal. Derby, conversely, scores 27% of their goals between the 61st and 75th minutes, indicating a potential window for them to strike back.

Conclusion and Prediction

Given the current form, historical dominance, and tactical advantages, Blackburn Rovers are well-positioned to secure an away victory against Derby County. While Derby's home advantage could play a role, their inability to score in recent matches and Blackburn's psychological edge make an away win the more likely outcome. However, considering both teams' defensive records, it's plausible that both teams will find the back of the net.

Prediction: Blackburn Rovers to win, with both teams scoring.