Derby vs Leicester Prediction: Rams to ward off the Foxes

Derby County will look to get back on track in the Championship after losing at Middlesbrough last weekend. They welcome East Midland rivals Leicester City to Pride Park on Saturday (12:30 GMT, ITV1), with the Foxes on a two-game losing streak.

Read on for my Derby vs Leicester predictions, supported by the latest match odds and team news.

Team News

Although his ankle injury was not as bad as first feared, Derby are going to be without the division's joint-top scorer Carlton Morris until the new year. Head coach John Eustace has already rolled out the cliche that he will feel like a new signing when he is back in action.

David Ozoh (thigh) and Lewis Travis (calf) are hoping to be available for selection again at some point this month, but Saturday may come too soon for the midfield duo. After almost a month out, forward Rhian Brewster is closing in on a return for the hosts.

Football Odds

Leicester's first-choice shot-stopper Jakub Stolarczyk has missed the last five Championship contests due to a groin issue.

Defenders Caleb Okoli (shoulder) and Victor Kristiansen (knee) are both absent for the Foxes.

Stephy Mavidid and Jordan James bagged consolation goals in the home defeat against Sheffield United last weekend and both are set to continue in the XI at Pride Park.

Today's Football Fixtures

Derby vs Leicester Odds

Derby have won three of their last four home games in the Championship and they are 13/8 (implied probability of 38.1%) to prevail in this Midlands clash.

Three of their eight fixtures here have ended in a stalemate, with the draw priced at 21/10.

Leicester are 7/4 to come away with the victory, with the Foxes winning two of their past four outings in the second tier.

BTTS - Yes has landed in each of the hosts' previous six appearances in the league and 10/11 is the price on this occasion.

Draw No Bet - Derby @ 5/6

After a shaky start to the season, Derby have really found their feet in the last two months and they are showing credentials of a top-six side - with the play-off race looking as wide open as ever this term.

The Rams have won six of their last eight matches in the Championship and three of them have come on home soil. It feels like now is a good time for them to play Leicester after the visitors have lost two in a row.

The Foxes were 3-0 down at home to Sheffield United last time out and had conceded twice in the opening four minutes. Marti Cifuentes is unsurprisingly coming under pressure but it is evident that the club's problems run deeper than what's happening on the pitch.

Derby have a great opportunity to win this clash but they have seen their momentum dip in recent weeks, with two defeats in their last three. I am fairly confident that they can defeat Leicester but without goal machine Morris, the Rams may not be as efficient in the final third.

Both Teams To Score - Yes & Under 3.5 Goals @ 15/8

This market also appeals to me because it has landed frequently for both clubs in recent weeks.

There have been goals at both ends and fewer than four scored in four of Derby's past five matches in the second tier. This selection has also landed in five of Leicester's last nine appearances in the league - and I do think there is good value in backing this market to strike at Pride Park on Saturday.

Despite Leicester's issues, they are still showing that they can be effective in front of goal, but seeing as there have just been two games at Pride Park this season that have seen four or more goals scored, I don't think there will be too many goals on offer in this clash.

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