Derby County vs Middlesbrough Prediction 01.01.2026 | EFL Championship
Derby County
Kick off:
Date:
Middlesbrough
1
3.10
X
3.25
2
2.30
Contents
- Competition: EFL Championship
- Date: Thursday, 1st, January 2026
- Kickoff: 15:00 UK / 16.00 CET
- Venue: Pride Park (Derby)
Derby County aims to kick off the new year with a crucial home victory as they welcome promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough on New Year’s Day in the EFL Championship.
Derby County vs Middlesbrough Head to Head (H2H) stats
-
Middlesbrough
2 : 1
Derby County
Championship
-
Middlesbrough
1 : 0
Derby County
Championship
-
Derby County
1 : 0
Middlesbrough
Championship
-
Middlesbrough
4 : 1
Derby County
Championship
-
Derby County
0 : 0
Middlesbrough
Championship
-
Derby County
2 : 1
Middlesbrough
Championship
Middlesbrough hold the upper hand in head-to-head encounters with Derby, having triumphed in 66 of their 140 meetings, while the Rams have won 44 times and the remaining 30 matches ended in draws.
Derby County team overview
Derby County currently sit 14th in the EFL Championship table, having accumulated 32 points from 24 matches in an inconsistent campaign that sees them hovering precariously close to the relegation dogfight.
Manager John Eustace has grown concerned as his side struggles to turn draws into victories, a trend highlighted by a December run that featured three consecutive 1-1 stalemates against Millwall, Portsmouth, and Birmingham City.
Defensive frailties remain a major worry at Pride Park, with the Rams conceding more goals at home than on the road, contributing to their status as one of the division’s weaker home sides in this term.
Derby County are also hampered by the absence of top scorer Carlton Morris, who is sidelined with a leg injury until February, while midfield duo Lewis Travis and David Ozoh are approaching fitness. However, the clash with Middlesbrough comes too soon for their return.
Last matches of Derby County
-
Leicester City
2 : 1
Derby County
Championship
-
Birmingham City
1 : 1
Derby County
Championship
-
Derby County
1 : 1
Portsmouth
Championship
-
Sheffield Wednesday
0 : 3
Derby County
Championship
-
Derby County
1 : 1
Millwall
Championship
Derby County lineup
Goalkeeper
-
1
Jacob Widell Zetterström
Defenders
-
6
Sondre Langås
-
28
Dion Sanderson
-
5
Matt Clarke
Midfielders
-
23
Joe Ward
-
25
Ben Brereton Díaz
-
32
Ebou Adams
-
42
Bobby Clark
-
20
Callum Elder
Forwards
-
7
Patrick Agyemang
-
15
Lars-Jørgen Salvesen
Middlesbrough team overview
Meanwhile, Middlesbrough are currently flying high in the EFL Championship, occupying an impressive second position in the league table with 43 points from 24 matches, firmly establishing themselves as serious automatic promotion contenders.
Despite their lofty league standing, manager Kim Hellberg will be eager to see his side return to winning ways, following a run of three matches that yielded just one point—a goalless draw against Blackburn and scoreless defeats to Bristol City and Hull.
This sobering dip in form has been a reality check for the North Yorkshire outfit under their new boss, who had initially guided the team to four consecutive victories after his November appointment. The recent slump has allowed third-placed Ipswich to close the gap to just two points, heightening the pressure on Middlesbrough.
Adding to their challenges, Middlesbrough face significant injury concerns, particularly in defence, with Darragh Lenihan, Matt Targett, and George Edmundson all confirmed unavailable. This will put their squad depth and resilience to a stern test against the Rams.
Last matches of Middlesbrough
-
Middlesbrough
0 : 1
Hull City
Championship
-
Middlesbrough
0 : 0
Blackburn Rovers
Championship
-
Bristol City
2 : 0
Middlesbrough
Championship
-
Middlesbrough
3 : 1
Queens Park Rangers
Championship
-
Charlton Athletic
1 : 2
Middlesbrough
Championship
Middlesbrough lineup
Goalkeeper
-
31
Sol Brynn
Defenders
-
24
Alex Bangura
-
6
Dael Fry
-
5
Alfie Jones
-
2
Callum Brittain
Midfielders
-
7
Hayden Hackney
-
16
Alan Browne
-
10
Delano Burgzorg
-
27
Sontje Hansen
-
11
Morgan Whittaker
Forwards
-
9
Tommy Conway
Prediction
The Rams' attacking inefficiencies, which have plagued them in recent weeks, are unlikely to trouble a robust Middlesbrough outfit that boasts the second-best defensive record in the league.
Although Boro are navigating their own injury crisis at the back and endured a slight blip in form in their last three EFL Championship outings (D1 L2), their superior firepower and promotion pedigree should ultimately shine through.
We anticipate a tightly contested affair, possibly a physical battle typical of a New Year's Day fixture, but expect the visitors to edge it by a single goal, securing vital points in their quest for Premier League football and consigning the hosts to further festive period misery.
Four Reasons we expect Middlesbrough to Win
- Derby County have managed only one win in their last seven league matches.
- Derby County have failed to score more than once in six of their last seven second-tier games.
- Middlesbrough have secured two impressive victories in their last three away matches.
- The first meeting of this season went to Boro, who narrowly won 2-1.
Main prediction Derby County - Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough to win
Best Odds:
1xBet
2.38
Derby County vs Middlesbrough standings in Championship
| Regular Season | P | W | D | L |
G - A
|
GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coventry City | 24 | 15 | 6 | 3 | 54 - 25 | +29 | 51 |
| 2 | Middlesbrough | 24 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 33 - 25 | +8 | 43 |
| 3 | Ipswich Town | 24 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 40 - 23 | +17 | 41 |
| 4 | Hull City | 24 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 40 - 37 | +3 | 41 |
| 5 | Millwall | 24 | 11 | 6 | 7 | 27 - 32 | -5 | 39 |
| 6 | Watford | 24 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 34 - 29 | +5 | 38 |
| 7 | Preston North End | 24 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 31 - 25 | +6 | 37 |
| 8 | Bristol City | 24 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 33 - 27 | +6 | 36 |
| 9 | Queens Park Rangers | 24 | 10 | 5 | 9 | 34 - 37 | -3 | 35 |
| 10 | Stoke City | 24 | 10 | 4 | 10 | 29 - 23 | +6 | 34 |
| 11 | Wrexham | 24 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 34 - 31 | +3 | 34 |
| 12 | Leicester City | 24 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 34 - 34 | 0 | 34 |
| 13 | Southampton | 24 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 38 - 34 | +4 | 32 |
| 14 | Derby County | 24 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 33 - 33 | 0 | 32 |
| 15 | Birmingham City | 24 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 32 - 31 | +1 | 31 |
| 16 | West Bromwich Albion | 24 | 9 | 4 | 11 | 28 - 32 | -4 | 31 |
| 17 | Sheffield United | 24 | 9 | 2 | 13 | 33 - 37 | -4 | 29 |
| 18 | Swansea City | 24 | 8 | 5 | 11 | 25 - 31 | -6 | 29 |
| 19 | Blackburn Rovers | 23 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 22 - 26 | -4 | 27 |
| 20 | Charlton Athletic | 23 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 22 - 29 | -7 | 27 |
| 21 | Portsmouth | 23 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 21 - 30 | -9 | 25 |
| 22 | Oxford United | 24 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 24 - 33 | -9 | 22 |
| 23 | Norwich City | 24 | 5 | 6 | 13 | 26 - 36 | -10 | 21 |
| 24 | Sheffield Wednesday | 23 | 1 | 8 | 14 | 18 - 45 | -27 | -7 |