Match Preview
Middlesbrough host Derby County in a crucial Championship fixture on November 29, 2025, at the Riverside Stadium. As we approach Matchday 18, both teams are vying for a strong position in the competitive league table. Middlesbrough, currently sitting comfortably in a playoff spot, will be looking to solidify their promotion ambitions, while Derby County, just outside the top six, aims to break into the coveted playoff positions. This clash promises to be a tactical battle, with both sides eager to claim three valuable points.
Current League Standings
| Pos | Team | Pl | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coventry City FC | 17 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 29 | 40 |
| 2 | Stoke City FC | 17 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 13 | 30 |
| 3 | Middlesbrough FC | 17 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 30 |
| 4 | Ipswich Town FC | 16 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 12 | 27 |
| 5 | Preston North End FC | 17 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 27 |
| 6 | Bristol City FC | 16 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 26 |
| 7 | Derby County FC | 17 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 26 |
| 8 | Hull City AFC | 17 | 7 | 4 | 6 | -1 | 25 |
| 9 | Millwall FC | 16 | 7 | 4 | 5 | -5 | 25 |
| 10 | Birmingham City FC | 16 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 24 |
| 11 | Southampton FC | 17 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 24 |
| 12 | Watford FC | 17 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 24 |
| 13 | Leicester City FC | 17 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 24 |
| 14 | Charlton Athletic FC | 17 | 6 | 5 | 6 | -3 | 23 |
| 15 | Wrexham AFC | 16 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 22 |
| 16 | Queens Park Rangers FC | 16 | 6 | 4 | 6 | -5 | 22 |
| 17 | West Bromwich Albion FC | 16 | 6 | 3 | 7 | -3 | 21 |
| 18 | Blackburn Rovers FC | 15 | 6 | 1 | 8 | -4 | 19 |
| 19 | Portsmouth FC | 16 | 4 | 5 | 7 | -6 | 17 |
| 20 | Swansea City AFC | 17 | 4 | 5 | 8 | -9 | 17 |
| 21 | Oxford United FC | 17 | 3 | 5 | 9 | -7 | 14 |
| 22 | Sheffield United FC | 16 | 4 | 1 | 11 | -12 | 13 |
| 23 | Norwich City FC | 17 | 3 | 3 | 11 | -11 | 12 |
| 24 | Sheffield Wednesday FC | 16 | 1 | 5 | 10 | -20 | 8 |
Heading into this encounter, the Championship table paints a clear picture of the teams’ seasons so far:
- Middlesbrough FC: Position 3rd, Played 17, Won 8, Drawn 6, Lost 3, Points 30, Goal Difference +5.
- Derby County FC: Position 7th, Played 17, Won 7, Drawn 5, Lost 5, Points 26, Goal Difference +2.
Middlesbrough has shown impressive consistency, particularly in their defense, reflected in their positive goal difference. Derby County is hot on their heels, demonstrating resilience but with a slightly less robust defensive record.
Head-to-Head Analysis
Recent Encounters
| Date | Competition | Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Mar 2025 | Championship | Middlesbrough FC | 1 - 0 | Derby County FC |
| 17 Aug 2024 | Championship | Derby County FC | 1 - 0 | Middlesbrough FC |
| 12 Feb 2022 | Championship | Middlesbrough FC | 4 - 1 | Derby County FC |
| 21 Aug 2021 | Championship | Derby County FC | 0 - 0 | Middlesbrough FC |
| 13 Feb 2021 | Championship | Derby County FC | 2 - 1 | Middlesbrough FC |
The historical matchups between Middlesbrough and Derby County often provide compelling insights. In their last seven Championship encounters:
- Middlesbrough wins: 3
- Derby County wins: 2
- Draws: 2
Delving deeper into Middlesbrough’s home record against Derby, it’s particularly strong. In their last four Championship meetings at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough boasts three wins and one draw, including a dominant 4-1 victory in February 2022 and a 1-0 win in March 2025. They’ve scored 10 goals and conceded just 3 in those specific home fixtures, highlighting a significant home advantage in this rivalry.
Our Prediction
Considering Middlesbrough’s superior league position and their dominant home record against Derby County, they enter this match as clear favorites. Their solid defense and ability to grind out results at home will be key. We expect Middlesbrough to leverage their home advantage and secure a vital win.
Our top betting tip for this match is:
Middlesbrough FC to Win
