Derby welcome Brighton to the iPro Stadium in the first home match of the 2016/17 and football predictions suggest we’re in for an entertaining affair.
These sides met twice last season playing out two enjoyable draws. It was 2-2 when they met here in 2015 and both sides will want to get off to the best possible start as they target promotion to the Premier League, see our preview and Championship predictions below.
Derby v Brighton Preview
Derby
It’s all change in the East Midlands as Nigel Pearson and Chris Powell take charge of Derby for the first time in a competitive game. Pearson is credited with beginning the turnaround in Leicester’s form prior to the title winning season. Big things are expected here and the press will be hoping he has mellowed since his time at the King Power. The affable Chris Powell joins him in the dugout, so there’s plenty of Championship experience this time around. A complete contrast to Paul Clement and Darren Wassall.
No signings have arrived this summer, but few reinforcements were needed. Pearson should be able to get the best out of a bunch of underperforming players and needs to get off to a good start. They certainly aren’t short of firepower in the squad with Chris Martin, Nick Blackman and Johnny Russell are just some of the strikers vying for a start here. Although the latter has been linked with a move away this week. Defender Richard Keogh has said he believes the club is on the right path and believes it can be a really exciting season. He will need to keep a solid backline as the Rams gave away their fair share of sloppy goals last season.
They have a large squad which can be rotated during the busy periods of the season. Pearson has said certain members will have to remain patient throughout the campaign. George Thorne is not a man that he can call upon though in the opening weeks as the midfielder has undergone surgery.
There are also doubts over Jacob Butterfield and Marcus Olsson who missed the last friendly with niggles. Will Hughes remains at the club despite almost never ending transfer speculation and Jeff Hendrick is still available despite several rebuffed bids from Premier League Burnley for the Irishman.
Brighton
The season ended in disappointment for the Seagulls as their automatic promotion hopes were ended with a 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough on the final day. Chris Hughton’s side overachieved, but they can consider themselves hard done by to still be competing at this level.
They amassed a whopping amount of points which would have sealed their place in the Premier League nine years out of ten. They need to pick themselves up after the disappointment of the play-offs and go again in an equally competitive league. It’s largely the same squad though and the additions of Glenn Murray and Oliver Norwood have only improved the roster.
The incoming Norwood has immediately targeted the Premier League and he won’t be out of place in this classy Brighton side.
Steve Sidwell returns to add some experience and steel in the centre of the park, but the constant rejected bids for defender Lewis Dunk may have affected his concentration ahead of the new season. They missed out on Alex Pritchard, but they still have plenty of width. Kazenga Lua Lua has been passed fit for this and he is often lively in the early parts of the season. Solly March is a long term absentee and Dale Stephens is suspended for this encounter.
There’s plenty to be positive about for Brighton fans this season and they’ll no doubt be involved in some entertaining affairs. Their away form does need improving though and that could be a concern here.
Derby v Brighton Predictions
With two draws last season, it’s hard to look past a stalemate here for my English Championship predictions on the Derby vs Brighton match this weekend. Brighton haven’t won here since 2011 and Derby will not want to face the wrath of Pearson having lost their first home match. The Seagulls were very hard to beat last season so my match prediction is a draw.
Match Prediction – Draw – 12/5 with Bet Victor: BET HERE.
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I’ve predicted him to be one of the league’s top goalscorers in my Championship top goalscorer betting tips, so I hope he gets off to a good start. Glenn Murray isn’t getting any younger but he will always score goals at this level and he is my betting tip in the anytime goalscorer market for Derby vs Brighton.
Anytime Goalscorer Prediction Glenn Murray – 11/4 with Bet365: BET HERE.
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And my final Derby vs Brighton betting tip is on the goals market. Last season, they drew 2-2 here followed by a 1-1 share of the spoils at the AMEX. I fancy both sides to hit the target once more and hopefully give us a full house on winning bets on this Derby vs Brighton betting preview.
Both Teams to Score? Yes – Evens with 888 Sport: BET HERE.
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Andy Clark
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