Derby County vs Hull City betting tips and predictions for the Championship play-off first leg on Saturday 14th May 2016.
The second of the two first legs in the Championship sees Hull visit the iPRO Stadium this weekend. We’ve got the best bets for the 12:30 kick off including an anytime goalscorer tip and match result prediction.
Derby vs Hull Predictions
Derby
Derby’s last three seasons have all centred around the play-offs. Last year, they narrowly missed out, slipping to 6th under Steve McClaren, which was hugely disappointing considering they’d led the way earlier in the season. Previously, they’d beaten Brighton in both legs before coming undone in the 90th minute thanks to a Bobby Zamora goal. Heart-breaking was certainly the word. Fancied by many, the Rams dominated from start to finish, but the scoreline didn’t make enjoyable reading. They’ll be looking to right that wrong this year, starting in front of their own fans on Saturday lunchtime.
Many of the players who started that day are still in the squad today. Johnny Russell is one of them and he thinks that previous experience will help rather than hinder his side. Darren Wassall Is the man tasked with guiding them through this tricky assignment and he will look to take a substantial lead to the KC Stadium. They can go into this with plenty of confidence. They have done the double over their opponents this season including a recent 4-0 victory over Steve Bruce’s side. The Rams had been on a good run before a 0-1 defeat to Ipswich on the final day of the season killed any momentum. The injury to George Thorne didn’t help matters though.
Derby have suffered from inconsistencies all season and a number of bad runs (one which saw Paul Clement sacked) killed any chance of automatic promotion. They have a large squad to choose from, injuries permitting. If things aren’t going their way in either leg, Wassall has plenty of options at his disposal, especially offensively.
Many Derby players have points to prove – Chris Martin will be looking to replace his old club Norwich in the Premier League. Tom Ince, once of Hull, will be looking to prove himself as a Premier League player. Scott Carson believes he is a better player than his last Premier League appearance and will want chance to prove that. Whilst, Andreas Weimann and Darren Bent both dropped out of the top tier and could see their new employers replacing their former side, Villa. Not to mention, Jason Shackell whose former club Burnley secured their place in the top flight last weekend. They’ll be roared on by their own fans here and will make it difficult for Hull.
Hull
Similar to Derby, inconsistencies need to be ironed out if they are to progress through the play-offs. They bring confidence into this match following a swashbuckling performance against Rotherham on the final day of the season. After going behind, Hull hit five and made light work of a previously hard to beat Millers side.
Hull have a vastly experienced side and apart from Robbie Brady and James Chester, it is largely the same squad which played in the Premier League just last season. An instant return to the Premier League would be ideal for the Humberside club as they look to follow Burnley back up to the top tier.
Going back a few years, Hull have history in the play-offs. Led by Ian Ashbee, the Tigers beat Bristol City to book their place in the top flight. Dean Windass was the hero that day and they’ll be hoping for another successful route through the end of season showdown. They finished the season on 83 points, five points above today’s opponents and will fancy their chances of overcoming the Rams.
Steve Bruce is an experienced manager who knows what it requires to lift a side out of the Championship. The former Birmingham boss has been linked with other jobs this season, but will surely stay at the KC if he can re-establish them as a Premier League outfit.
Abel Hernandez’s goals may have dried up towards the end of the season, but he netted on the final day of the season and with players like Jake Livermore and Mo Diame getting on the scoresheet, they’ll be confident they can share the goals out. Hull’s defence has been part of their success this season and although Michael Dawson’s enforced absence hasn’t helped matters, they’ll be hoping they can keep Derby’s lively attack at arm’s length.
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Derby vs Hull Team News
- George Thorne’s injury was a huge blow for Derby and he won’t feature here.
- Bradley Johnson is still not fit, but has returned to training. He picked up a knee injury in the 4-0 victory over Hull. Lee Grant has also started his comeback, but won’t feature here.
- Jeff Hendrick was an unused sub last weekend and may be considered for a start after coming through 45 minutes unscathed in midweek.
- Wassall is likely to be loyal to his front three with Chris Martin, Johnny Russell and Tom Ince the likely starters.
- Hull have deployed a cryotherapy chamber to help with injuries ahead of the play-off clashes and there aren’t many doubts ahead of the crucial ties.
- David Meyler is back in training, but is unlikely to feature here.
- Michael Dawson is fit again, but might not be risked twice inside a week and there’s a possibility that Steve Bruce may save the towering defender for the home tie as they look to kill off Derby.
- Although he likes to tinker, it’s hard to envisage Steve Bruce making too many changes from a side which thumped Rotherham on Saturday.
Derby vs Hull City Predictions
Hull’s away form has been a bit of a problem all season. They’ve been very strong at the KC, but on their travels, a little inconsistent. Although I fancy them to make it through to the final, I don’t think they’ll pick up a result here. My first Derby vs Hull betting tip is for Derby (Draw No Bet). It can be backed at 4/5 with Bet365.
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Play-Off first legs rarely fire and I think this one could be slow going. A goalless first half is a possibility. My second Derby v Hull prediction for the Championship play-off first leg is for 0-0 HT Score. It can be backed at 6/4 with William Hill.
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Johnny Russell is just one of a number of players who hope to make amends for the play-off disappointment of two seasons ago. The former Dundee United man is lively and could be thorn in Hull’s side. My third Derby vs Hull prediction is for Johnny Russell to score anytime. He is 31/10 with Bet Victor.
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Derby v Hull Betting Tips
Derby Draw No Bet – 4/5 Bet365.
HT Score – 6/4 William Hill.
Johnny Russell anytime goalscorer – 31/10 Bet Victor.
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Jack Critchley
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