Derby vs Wrexham Prediction, Match Preview, Sunday, 4 January

In the Championship, Derby will host Wrexham at Pride Park on Sunday, 4 January. This fixture promises to be an intriguing contest as both teams aim to make their mark in the league. Derby, playing on home soil, will look to use their familiarity with Pride Park to secure a crucial victory. Meanwhile, Wrexham, travelling from Wales, will be eager to challenge the hosts and climb the league standings.

The significance of this match cannot be overstated, as both Derby and Wrexham are keen to establish themselves as strong contenders in the Championship. With the league being highly competitive, every point is vital, and this encounter at Pride Park presents an opportunity for both sides to build momentum. Fans can expect a competitive game as Derby and Wrexham vie for supremacy in this early January fixture.

Derby vs Wrexham Prediction & Betting Tip

Betting Tip	Odds
Draw – Derby County vs Wrexham	3.3

Considering the recent form and injury concerns for both teams, our recommended betting tip is to back a draw. The clash between Derby and Wrexham looks set to be a balanced encounter, with neither side showing enough consistency to be clear favourites. The odds for a draw provide good value in what is expected to be a tight and low-scoring match.

• Both teams have key players missing, which may limit their attacking capabilities and lead to a more cautious game.
• Their last head-to-head meeting ended in a draw, indicating a closely matched contest.
• Derby and Wrexham’s recent performances suggest defensive vulnerabilities that could cancel each other out.

Betting Odds

As Derby host Wrexham at Pride Park, the betting odds suggest a closely contested Championship clash. Derby are priced at 2.3 to win, indicating they are the favourites, but not by a wide margin. Wrexham, meanwhile, are available at 3.14, reflecting their potential to cause an upset.

Betting Tip	Odds
Derby to win	2.3
Draw	3.12
Wrexham to win	3.14

With a draw priced at 3.12, punters may find value in backing a stalemate, especially given both teams’ recent form. Additionally, the over 2.5 goals market could be worth considering, given the attacking capabilities on display.

Derby Analysis & Past Performance

Derby come into this fixture with a mixed run of form, having secured only two wins in their last five matches, alongside two draws and a defeat. Their latest victory came against Middlesbrough, a narrow 1-0 win in which they managed just 32% possession, highlighting their ability to capitalise on limited opportunities.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Derby	Middlesbrough	1 – 0 (Win)	Championship	1 Jan 2026
Leicester	Derby	2 – 1 (Loss)	Championship	29 Dec 2025
Birmingham	Derby	1 – 1 (Draw)	Championship	26 Dec 2025
Derby	Portsmouth	1 – 1 (Draw)	Championship	20 Dec 2025
Sheffield Wednesday	Derby	0 – 3 (Win)	Championship	15 Dec 2025

Recent Form:
Derby have been consistent in front of goal, scoring in each of their last ten games, with an average of 1.40 goals per match. Defensively, they have shown resilience with two clean sheets in their last five outings, conceding an average of 0.80 goals. At home, however, their performance has been less convincing, with just one win in their last five matches at Pride Park.

Currently sitting 11th in the Championship with 35 points, Derby’s mid-table position reflects their inconsistent performances. Carlton Morris, their top scorer with 10 goals this season, has been pivotal to their attacking play. The team’s ability to score and maintain clean sheets will be crucial against Wrexham.

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Derby Suspensions & Injuries

Derby will be without several key players due to injuries. Owen Beck and Max Johnston, both suffering from hamstring injuries, are expected to return by the end of January. Their absence is likely to impact Derby’s defensive options, potentially forcing manager John Eustace to rely on less experienced players to fill the gap. David Ozoh, sidelined with a thigh injury, also limits Derby’s midfield depth, which could affect their ability to maintain control in the centre of the park.

Carlton Morris, who is out with a knee injury until early February, will be a significant miss in the forward line. His absence could see Rhian Brewster or Patrick Agyemang stepping up to lead the attack. While both are capable, Morris’s physical presence and goal-scoring ability will be hard to replace, potentially affecting Derby’s attacking threat.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Owen Beck	Hamstring Injury	Mid January 2026
David Ozoh	Thigh Injury	Mid January 2026
Carlton Morris	Knee Injury	Early February 2026
Max Johnston	Hamstring Injury	Late January 2026

Tactically, Derby may need to adjust their approach, possibly adopting a more conservative game plan to mitigate the impact of these absences. With key players missing, the team may need to focus on defensive solidity and counter-attacking opportunities. These injuries could influence betting markets, as Derby’s chances might be viewed less favourably without their full-strength squad.

Derby Key Players

Derby’s lineup for the upcoming clash against Wrexham will be without their usual top scorer, Carlton Morris, due to injury. This places the onus on forwards Rhian Brewster and Patrick Agyemang to spearhead the attack. Brewster, known for his agility and sharp finishing, could be pivotal in breaking down Wrexham’s defence. Meanwhile, in midfield, Liam Thompson’s ability to control the tempo and distribute effectively makes him an essential figure in orchestrating Derby’s play. Alongside him, Ebou Adams offers defensive solidity and the ability to launch counter-attacks.

At the back, Matt Clarke’s leadership and aerial prowess will be crucial in maintaining defensive organisation. His partnership with Dion Sanderson will be key in neutralising any offensive threats posed by Wrexham. This defensive solidity, combined with the midfield’s dynamism, will shape Derby’s tactical approach, focusing on a balanced play between defence and attack.

Expected lineup for Derby:

• Goalkeeper: Jacob Widell Zetterström
• Defenders: Sondre Langås, Dion Sanderson, Matt Clarke
• Midfielders: Joe Ward, Liam Thompson, Ebou Adams, Callum Elder, Bobby Clark
• Forwards: Rhian Brewster, Patrick Agyemang

Derby Tactics and Formation

Derby Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 3-5-2
• Key Forward: Rhian Brewster
• Midfield Pivot: Liam Thompson and Ebou Adams
• Defensive Strength: Two clean sheets in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: Utilises wing-backs for width and counter-attacks.

Derby County’s recent matches have seen them employ a 3-5-2 formation under John Eustace. This setup allows them to pack the midfield and control possession, with Liam Thompson and Ebou Adams playing pivotal roles in both defensive coverage and ball progression. The presence of wing-backs Joe Ward and Callum Elder provides width, crucial for stretching opposition defences.

Defensively, the trio of Sondre Klingen Langaas, Dion Sanderson, and Matt Clarke form a solid back line, contributing to Derby’s two clean sheets in their last five outings. Despite conceding 19 shots in their last home game against Middlesbrough, they maintained a clean sheet, underscoring their resilience.

Offensively, the partnership of Rhian Brewster and Patrick Agyemang up front is designed to exploit counter-attacking opportunities, using Brewster’s pace and Agyemang’s physicality to challenge defences. This tactic is particularly effective when absorbing pressure and breaking quickly.

Wrexham Analysis & Past Performance

Wrexham have shown a mixed run of form in their recent outings, securing three wins, one draw, and one loss in their last five matches. Notably, their recent victory against Blackburn by a scoreline of 2-0 highlighted their ability to perform away from home, albeit inconsistently, with only one win in their last five away fixtures.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Blackburn	Wrexham	0 – 2 (Win)	Championship	1 Jan 2026
Wrexham	Preston	2 – 1 (Win)	Championship	29 Dec 2025
Wrexham	Sheffield United	5 – 3 (Win)	Championship	26 Dec 2025
Swansea	Wrexham	2 – 1 (Loss)	Championship	19 Dec 2025
Wrexham	Watford	2 – 2 (Draw)	Championship	13 Dec 2025

Recent Form:
Over the past five games, Wrexham have averaged 2.40 goals per match, demonstrating their attacking prowess, particularly with Kieffer Moore leading the charge, having scored 10 goals this season. However, their defence remains a concern, conceding an average of 1.60 goals per game and managing just one clean sheet in this period.

In terms of overall performance statistics, Wrexham are positioned mid-table with 37 points, reflecting a win ratio of 36% across the season. Their attacking strategy has seen them score in 80% of their recent games, indicating a potent but sometimes inconsistent offensive lineup.

When analysing their away performance, Wrexham have struggled, winning only 20% of their away matches this season. This highlights a potential area for improvement as they aim to secure more points on the road to bolster their league standing.

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Wrexham Suspensions & Injuries

Wrexham face significant challenges with a lengthy list of injuries and suspensions that could heavily influence their performance against Derby. The absence of key players such as Andy Cannon, who is suffering from a cruciate ligament injury, and Danny Ward, with a dislocated elbow, will require strategic adjustments. The midfield will particularly miss the dynamic presence of Elliot Lee, whose knee surgery sidelines him until late March 2026.

Player	Suspension	Matches Remaining	Expected Return
Issa Kaboré	International duty	1	Unknown

The injury list for Wrexham also includes Lewis Brunt and Ryan Hardie, both expected to return in late January 2026, as well as Kieffer Moore, whose hamstring injury rules him out of the upcoming match. Josh Windass, with a calf injury, adds to the team’s woes, highlighting the depth issues Wrexham must navigate.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Andy Cannon	Cruciate ligament injury	Late April 2026
Danny Ward	Dislocated elbow	Late January 2026
Aaron James	Knee surgery	Late February 2026
Lewis Brunt	Thigh injury	Late January 2026
Elliot Lee	Knee surgery	Late March 2026
Ryan Hardie	Knee injury	Late January 2026
Kieffer Moore	Hamstring injury	Late January 2026
Josh Windass	Calf injury	Late January 2026

With Issa Kaboré suspended due to international duty, Wrexham’s defensive options are further limited, necessitating tactical shifts. Phil Parkinson may need to explore alternative formations or rely on less experienced players to fill these gaps, potentially affecting the team’s overall cohesion and betting odds for this clash.

Wrexham Key Players

Wrexham will be heavily reliant on their attacking prowess, led by forward Sam Smith. Smith, a dynamic presence up front, is expected to spearhead the attack with his ability to exploit defensive gaps and finish clinically. His partnership with Oliver Rathbone could prove vital, as Rathbone’s creativity and vision can unlock Derby’s defence. In midfield, Lewis O’Brien’s work rate and ball distribution will be crucial in maintaining possession and driving the team forward.

On the defensive side, the experience of Dan Scarr and Dominic Hyam will be pivotal. Their defensive solidity and ability to organise the back line will be instrumental in containing Derby’s attacking threats. Additionally, James McClean’s versatility and set-piece delivery from midfield could provide Wrexham with a tactical edge, particularly in breaking down stubborn defences.

Expected lineup for Wrexham:

• Goalkeeper: Arthur Okonkwo
• Defence: Dan Scarr, Dominic Hyam, Callum Doyle
• Midfield: Matty James, Ryan Longman, George Dobson, Lewis O’Brien, James McClean
• Forward: Sam Smith, Oliver Rathbone

Wrexham Tactics and Formation

Wrexham Tactical Breakdown:

• Previous Formation: Not specified
• Key Forward: Sam Smith
• Midfield Engine: George Dobson and Matty James
• Defensive Strength: One clean sheet in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: High pressing and midfield dominance.

Wrexham’s tactical approach under Phil Parkinson has often involved a high pressing game, utilising the energy and tenacity of their midfield. Players like George Dobson and Matty James are crucial in disrupting opposition play and initiating quick transitions. This strategy proved effective in their recent 2-0 victory against Blackburn.

Defensively, Wrexham’s back line, featuring Dan Scarr and Dominic Hyam, has shown resilience, although they have only managed one clean sheet in their last five outings. This suggests a need for better defensive coordination to reduce goals conceded, particularly when facing teams with potent attacks.

Offensively, the team leans on Sam Smith’s ability to convert chances, supported by wide players such as Ryan Longman and Lewis O’Brien, who provide width and creativity. Wrexham’s tactical discipline and ability to maintain possession, as evidenced by their 47% possession against Blackburn, are pivotal in their game plan.

Derby vs Wrexham Head-to-Head Record

Derby and Wrexham have faced off twice in their history, with Derby winning one and the other ending in a draw. Their most recent encounter was in the Championship, where the teams played out a 1-1 draw at Wrexham’s ground. This upcoming match at Pride Park will be their first meeting there since 2007.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Wrexham	Derby County	1 – 1	Championship	2025-09-27
Derby County	Wrexham	3 – 1	FA Cup	2007-01-06

The last time Derby hosted Wrexham was in the FA Cup back in 2007, where Derby secured a 3-1 victory. With Derby having the upper hand in their limited head-to-head record, they’ll be looking to maintain their unbeaten streak against the Welsh side in this Championship clash.