Derby vs West Brom Prediction: Rams to take down Ramsay’s men

Derby County have won back-to-back away games in the Championship ahead of their Friday night return to Pride Park, where they welcome a struggling West Bromwich Albion side (20:00 GMT, Sky Sports Main Event).

The Baggies were thrashed 5-0 at home to Norwich City on Tuesday which marked a fourth consecutive defeat in the second tier. Read on for my Derby vs West Brom predictions, supported by the latest match odds and team news.

Team News

Carlton Morris (leg) and Max Johnston (hamstring) are ruled out through injury for Derby. Dion Sanderson (shin) and Danny Batth (knock) are doubts, having missed the last three and two games respectively.

John Eustace will have to further freshen up his defence as Matt Clarke must serve a one-match suspension for his two yellow cards at Charlton Athletic on Tuesday.

Goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom missed the midweek clash due to illness, but there is hope he should be able to return to the team sheet on Friday.

Football Odds

Ousmane Diakite is unavailable for West Brom as he is on compassionate leave. Tammer Bany remains sidelined with a thigh injury.

With two defeats to start his tenure as Albion boss, Eric Ramsay may turn to Jed Wallace and Aune Heggebo, who could both be promoted to the starting lineup on Friday night.

Today's Football Fixtures

Derby vs West Brom Odds

Derby are 6/4 (implied probability of 40%) to come out on top here, having won three of their last four games in the Championship.

The Rams have drawn eight matches in the second tier this season, and the stalemate is priced at 2/1.

It is also 2/1 for a West Brom victory, but they are without a win in their previous 10 away trips in the league.

Both teams have scored in six of Derby's past seven home fixtures in the Championship, and BTTS - Yes is priced at 10/11.

Match Result - Derby @ 6/4

There's no beating around the bush - West Brom are in some serious trouble. Ramsay has come in and already seen what he is up against and the young coach, who's experience so far comes from MLS, is now seeing firsthand the difficulty of the Championship.

Albion are currently three points outside the relegation zone and both Blackburn Rovers and Oxford United have games in hand on them. Right now, there appears to be no recourse for the Baggies, who are now on a four-game losing streak in the second tier.

Derby have not been as strong on home turf as they would have liked in recent months, but this will be deemed as a free hit for them as West Brom simply cannot by a win at the moment.

The Rams have shown strength by winning consecutive away games at play-off chasing Preston North End and Charlton, so a significantly out-of-form Albion side should be no trouble for Eustace's men.

Price Boost - Patrick Agyemang, Aune Heggebo & Isaac Price all 1+ shots on target each @ 2/1 5/2

For my second selection, I have been drawn into this price boost on offer from Betfred. Yes, it features two West Brom players in Heggebo and Isaac Price, but it still appeals.

Heggebo is their top scorer with eight goals in the league, while Price has six for himself, with the latest coming against Middlesbrough a week ago. The Northern Irishman has taken 61 shots in the league this season, and so he is averaging 2.65 per game.

In terms of hitting the target, he is averaging 0.91 per 90, and given Derby's inconsistent home form of late, he might be able to test the goalkeeper on Friday.

Heggebo is Albion's biggest goal threat and he is currently averaging 0.84 shots on target per game, with 19 of his 46 efforts hitting their mark.

Derby striker Patrick Agyemang has seven league goals to his name, and he has been touted as a potential transfer target for Premier League outfit Crystal Palace this month.

The American has the best record of the three players in this price boost, with 1.39 shots on target per 90. Fourteen of his 29 efforts to date have been on the money, and so I think he can help spearhead this selection to success.

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