Derby vs Middlesbrough Prediction & Betting Tips (1 January)

Derby approach this clash with a mixture of resilience and inconsistency, a pattern reflected in their recent Championship outings. Their last recorded league match was a 1-1 draw away at Birmingham, a result that continued a run of mixed form in December, where they also battled to a draw against Millwall and secured an important away win at Sheffield Wednesday. Earlier in the season, Derby also claimed a notable 1-0 home victory over Middlesbrough in August, with Kayden Jackson scoring the decisive goal. The team’s recent news cycle has highlighted their strong away performances, which have kept them within touching distance of the top half of the tableSports Mole.

Middlesbrough, meanwhile, enter the fixture with a stronger overall trajectory, having enjoyed a productive run between late November and mid-December. They recorded four consecutive wins against Derby, Hull City, Charlton Athletic and Queens Park Rangers before a slight dip that included a 2-0 defeat to Bristol City and a goalless draw with Blackburn Rovers. Their recent news has focused on their push to stay near the top of the Championship table, with Kim Hellberg’s side sitting in second place and maintaining one of the division’s most consistent defensive recordsSports Mole.

The historical context between these two clubs adds another layer of intrigue. Their most recent meeting at the Riverside Stadium in November 2025 ended in a 2-1 win for Middlesbrough, with Matt Targett and Morgan Whittaker overturning an early Derby goal from Patrick AgyemangSky Sports. Derby’s earlier win in August 2024 showed they can frustrate Middlesbrough when disciplined and compact, but the current form lines suggest Boro arrive with greater momentum. Both teams have been in the news for squad adjustments and tactical tweaks, with Derby focusing on stabilising their home form and Middlesbrough emphasising their promotion ambitions.

Taking all recent performances, squad updates and tactical patterns into account, this matchup appears likely to be tight, physical and decided by small margins. Derby’s home inconsistency contrasts with Middlesbrough’s strong away discipline, and the visitors’ ability to grind out narrow results has been a recurring theme over the past two months. With that in mind, and sticking firmly to the requested prediction, the most plausible outcome appears to be a narrow away win, with a correct score forecast of 0:1.

• Summary: Derby County is going head to head with Middlesbrough starting on 1 Jan 2026 at 15:00 UTC at Pride Park Stadium stadium, Derby city, England. The match is a part of the Championship .
• Derby Feedinco Rating: 6.75
• Middlesbrough Feedinco Rating: 6.82