Derby County vs Ipswich Town: prediction, head-to-head and probable lineups – 7 February 2026
One of the headline fixtures of the upcoming Championship round will take place on Saturday in Derby, where local side Derby County host Ipswich Town at Pride Park. The hosts are pushing for a playoff spot, while the visitors are still in contention for automatic promotion. That makes this a high-stakes clash with significant implications for the table. I'm backing a bet on goals in this encounter, which comes with strong winning prospects.
Match preview
Derby come into the game in great spirits after a spectacular away victory over Bristol City. Jon Eustace's side are showing maturity and organization, especially on the road, where they boast one of the league's best records. Their defense has been solid — the Rams haven't conceded more than two goals in any of their last 11 matches.
However, their home form remains a concern. At Pride Park, Derby have picked up just 18 points from 15 matches, and this inconsistency is what's holding them back in the race for the top six. A win over a direct rival could be a turning point in their season.
Meanwhile, Ipswich remain near the top of the table, but recent results have left them feeling less secure. A defeat to Sheffield United and a draw with Preston have slowed down Kieran McKenna's men in the chase for automatic promotion. Nonetheless, with a game in hand, their prospects remain strong.
On the road, the Tractor Boys have been inconsistent, winning just one of their last six away games. The return of injured players and potential attacking changes should add some variety, but the pressure to get a result will be intense.
Probable lineups
- Derby County: Zetterström, Ward, Sanderson, Clarke, Elder, Osho, Travis, Brereton Diaz, Clarke, Brewster, Agyei.
- Ipswich Town: Walton, Furlong, O'Shea, Kipré, Davis, Matusiwa, Neil, Burns, Mehmeti, Clarke, Hurst.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Derby have the best away record in the Championship, but struggle at home.
- Ipswich have picked up just 16 points from 13 away matches this season.
- Both teams are among the league's top scorers in recent rounds.
Prediction
This promises to be an open, high-scoring contest. Derby will take the initiative and look to make home advantage count, but their inconsistency on their own turf could show again. Ipswich need the points and are well equipped to punish any mistakes. The most likely outcome looks to be a lively draw with goals at both ends.
