Northampton Town vs Derby County Prediction & Betting Tips

Derby County travel to Sixfields Stadium to take on Northampton as they look to maintain their strong position in the race for automatic promotion.

Date: 23/03/24

Kick-off time: 15:00

Venue: Sixfields Stadium

Paul Warne’s Derby side are currently second in League One, hoping for a return to the Championship for the first time since 2022. They are in a good position to get promoted, as they moved four points clear of third place Bolton after beating them last weekend. A victory over Northampton would strengthen their grip on second, and could see them potentially close the gap on league leaders Portsmouth should they drop points. They are only five points behind with seven games remaining. A draw or defeat would open the door for Bolton once more to cut the deficit. Peterborough and Barnsley, who occupy fourth and fifth, are both seven points back with a game in hand.

Northampton, in contrast, do not have much to play for with so little of the season left. They are 14th in the league, all but safe from relegation, and too far back to threaten a play-off place. They have not been in good recent form, having failed to record a victory since late February.

James Collins tops the scoring charts for the Rams with 13 league goals so far this season. He will be confident in adding to that tally against a team who have kept just one clean sheet in the last 13 games. As well as their struggles at the back, the hosts have scored only three goals in five. Derby have the second best defensive record in the division, so it could be a difficult afternoon for Jon Brady’s team. Though if they are to threaten, it will most likely come from top scorer Sam Hoskins, who is on 14 goals.

This will be the 14th meeting between the two teams. The visitors have been dominant in this matchup, winning eight and losing zero. However, only three of these have come in this century. The reverse fixture earlier this season ended 4-0 to Derby in October. It was a commanding performance in which they were up three before half-time.

Northampton

Sam Hoskins has been missing through illness so his availability is in doubt. Patrick Brough’s status is also in question after missing the last game.

Derby

Sonny Bradley was absent against Bolton due to illness so his availability for this weekend is in question. Callum Elder and Craig Forsyth recently returned from injuries.

Northampton

In their last five games, Northampton have drawn two and lost three. They have endured a winless five-game period, which began with a 1-1 draw at home to Charlton. Karoy Anderson gave the visitors a fourth minute lead, which was an advantage they held until the 80th minute. With the game heading in the direction of a Charlton victory, Louis George Appere stepped up to equalise and ensure the points were shared.

They were unable to continue the momentum from the late leveller into the next game, as they were heavily defeated 5-1 at Peterborough. They had actually taken the lead after John Guthrie opened the scoring in the ninth minute. Their advantage only lasted 16 minutes as Ephron Mason-Clark equalised. Kwame Poku turned it around three minutes later and Northampton could not recover. They added another on the stroke of half-time, before finding the back of the net twice more in the second half.

A trip to Cambridge ended with another point earned as they picked up a 1-1 draw. Elias Kachunga broke the deadlock in the 16th minute with was Cambridge’s only shot on target. They looked like they might hold on for victory, but Jon Guthrie stepped up to level the score with eight minutes left. Their inconsistencies were evident against Blackpool at home as they narrowly lost 1-0. In what was a tight game, Matthew Pennington scored a second half winner for the visitors. Their most recent fixture was a second loss in a row as they fell 2-0 at Wycombe. It was deadlocked for a while, but a late brace from Matt Butcher took the game away.

Derby County

In their last five games, Derby have won four and lost one. Their strong form has helped them maintain their place towards the top of the table, a position that was strengthened by a victory over third place Bolton in their most recent game. They were 1-0 winners in the huge clash, as Kane Wilson scored the only goal of the game in the 78th minute.

This followed a narrow 2-1 win over strugglers Reading. Dwight Gayle scored the opener shortly after the restart, but this was cancelled out just three minutes later by Sam Smith, who converted Reading’s only shot on target. The visitors were then reduced to ten men, which allowed the Rams to take advantage. Conor Hourihane scored the winner in the 70th minute from the penalty spot. A much more comfortable victory against Bristol Rovers preceded this in which they won 3-0 on the road. All of the goals came in the second half, with Gayle, Tom Barkhuizen and Martyn Waghorn all on the scoresheet.

They replicated this scoreline in a game against lowly Port Vale, and got off to a quick start as an own goal put them ahead six minutes in. Gayle and Louis Sibley then extended the lead in the second half. The first game of this stretch and only defeat of this run was a 2-1 loss at home to Charlton. Derby actually took the lead in the first half through Eiran Cashin, but this was cancelled out by an Alfie May penalty after 65 minutes. Karoy Anderson then completed the turnaround for the away side with ten minutes remaining.

Derby are in some great from as they compete at the top of the table. Northampton are struggling for wins, and it does not get any easier this weekend. Expect Derby to pick up three points whilst keeping a clean sheet – Northampton 0-2 Derby

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Northampton vs Derby will not be available to watch on TV in the UK. However, you can follow the game on BBC Sport and Sky Sports.

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