Hull City vs Derby County predictions and football betting tips for tonight’s Championship play-off second leg where Hull have a commanding first leg lead.
Who said first legs were tight? Steve Bruce’s Hull ran out 3-0 winners in the East Midlands on Saturday and it’s now a very long road back for Derby. We’ve got the best betting tips in our Hull vs Derby match preview.
Hull City vs Derby Preview
Hull City
It couldn’t have gone more according to plan for Steve Bruce on Saturday lunchtime. Hull compacted the midfield, frustrated Derby and ran out 3-0 winners. From the moment Abel Hernandez put the Tigers into the lead, there was no looking back. After losing 2-0 and 4-0 to the Rams during the regular season, Bruce had seen enough to formulate a plan to strangle the opposition and stifle their creativity. It worked perfectly, with Tom Huddlestone getting through plenty of work in the middle of the park.
I’ve stressed time and time again about Hull’s defensive ability and the difference that a fit Michael Dawson makes. The former Spurs defender should be wrapped in cotton wool through the remainder of the play-offs. A clean sheet was a bonus, but they faced few challenges from a limp Derby County. They have only conceded 11 goals at the KC all season and that total looks fairly safe given what we saw in the first leg. It was also a notable clean sheet for 2nd choice keeper Eldin Jakupovic.
Bruce has called for the KC to be ‘rocking’ in the second leg on Tuesday night. The Hull fans will be confident that a trip to Wembley is on the cards and should be able to produce a wall of noise. The squad is packed full of experience and players who can provide calm heads during the biggest occasions. Robert Snodgrass worked hard for the cause whilst Jake Livermore, Curtis Davies and Mo Diame all have Premier League experience.
There are less experienced individuals in the side, who are benefitting from being alongside the likes of Huddlestone Dawson. Moses Odubajo has had a decent season at full back and was defeated at this stage last season as part of the Brentford squad. His shot was diverted into his own net by Jason Shackell and the former Leyton Orient man will have a big part to play in the second leg. Derby are one of only two clubs to have been victorious this season in Humberside, so there will be no getting carried away on Hull’s part.
As always, the first goal will be crucial, if Hull find it – their fans can start planning their trip to Wembley.
Derby County
Derby were out-thought by Steve Bruce on Saturday. Perhaps having the more experienced Championship manager was the difference. Darren Wassall has done a decent job since taking over from Paul Clement, but many Derby fans may feel disappointed that a bigger name wasn’t drafted in. True, ‘Arry’ is an advisor, but a wily Championship veteran may just have made the difference in the latter part of the season.
Derby couldn’t cope with Hull. The crowded midfield made things difficult, whilst there was plenty of width with both Odubajo and Robertson bombing on at various points during the 90 minutes. Chris Martin tried in vain to get a sniff. He didn’t win much in the air with Davies and Dawson coming out of the majority of aerial duels on top. With Martin stifled, the rest of the Derby forward line weren’t able to create many problems for Hull and it was a limp performance. They are capable of upsetting Hull, we’ve seen it during the regular season and they can use that for motivation ahead of this difficult assignment.
BUT – No team has ever recovered from a three goal deficit to reach the final of the play-offs and it’s hard to see Derby running riot on the Humber. They do have goals in them and perhaps Darren Bent deserves a starting place. The former Spurs striker gives them something different to think about and is always a goalscoring threat.
The absence of George Thorne made a huge difference as the former West Brom man would have added steel into a midfield which was frequently out-battled by Hull. Will Hughes came in for criticism from the fans, but the youngster put in an admirable performance in difficult circumstances. Darren Wassall has called for positivity ahead of this tie. They’ll need it. Jacob Butterfield’s shot was the first test for Jakupovic on 81 minutes and the Rams will need to be much quicker out of the traps this time around.
Hull City Team News
- Eldin Jakupovic is likely to deputise for the injured Allan McGregor once again. The Bosnian has proved a capable stand-in for the Tigers and is likely to be between the posts once again.
- David Meyler was back in contention for the match on Saturday, but didn’t make the bench. He could find a place among the subs this time around.
- Chuba Akpom and Sam Clucas got around five minutes each on Saturday, they may get longer this time around. Nick Powell is definitely ruled out.
Derby Team News
- Darren Wassall is likely to shake up his team after the manner of the defeat on Saturday.
- Craig Bryson needed six stitches after the game following a clash with Robert Snodgrass, but should be fine to start here.
- Bradley Johnson lasted 60 minutes on his comeback from injury whilst Jeff Hendrick was an unused substitute. The Irishman may get a start as Wassall looks to shake up his 11.
- Jacob Butterfield and Darren Bent may have done enough in their cameos to earn a start.
- George Thorne continues to be sidelined.
Hull City vs Derby Predictions
Hull have been imperious at home this season. They’ve struggled on the road, apart from on Saturday! Only conceding 11 goals all season and losing just twice at the KC is a great record and I think Steve Bruce has mentally got the better of his opposite number. My first Hull City v Derby County betting tip is for Hull to win. They can be backed 6/5 with Betfair or a massive 7/1 enhanced odds from Paddy Power.
7/1 for HULL TO WIN VIA THIS LINK.
Only one team has scored in the three meetings between these sides this season and I’m banking on that run continuing here. Derby will attack, but Hull look assured at the back and I think they can keep them out. My second Hull City vs Derby County prediction is Both Teams to Score? No. It can be backed at 4/5 with Sky Bet.
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Abel Hernandez is the obvious option in the goalscorer market, but I’m opting for a larger price. Jake Livermore put in a decent performance at the IPro and he can display devastating accuracy from distance here. My third football prediction for Hull City vs Derby County tonight is for Jake Livermore to score anytime. He is 17/2 with 888 Sport.
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Hull City v Derby County Betting Tips
Hull win – get the exclusive 7/1 at Paddy Power.
Both Teams to Score? No – 4/5 Sky Bet.
Jake Livermore – 17/2 888Sport.
The odds for Hull to QUALIFY for the play-off final are 1/100 but you will get 5/1 if you open a new Coral account. This is unmissable. Get the enhanced odds below.
How to get 5/1 for Hull to qualify:
1. Click this link to Coral and register
2. Bet on the 5/1 for Hull to qualify
3. If Hull don't qualify you get a refund – it's a RISK FREE BET!
Jack Critchley
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