Under 2.5 goals at Derby vs Watford 4/5 for Friday’s Championship showdown

Competition: Championship

Market: Under 2.5 goals

Odds: 4/5 @ 888sport

With the Championship making a return after the international break, Derby will welcome Watford to an empty Pride Park on Friday night.

Starting with the hosts, while Derby might have managed to pick up what was a much-needed 1-0 win against Norwich heading into the international break, it doesn’t cover what has been a worrying start to the new campaign. With the pressure still firmly on Phillip Cocu’s shoulders, the Rams have managed to win just one of their opening four Championship appearances this season and appear someway off mounting a play-off charge. Continuing to show a string of that same issues that haunted them after making a return from football’s enforced break over the summer, the former PSV boss has seen his squad lose seven of their last nine second-tier contests continuing on from last season. Although former England skipper Wayne Rooney might have scored a last-gasp free-kick at Carrow Road earlier in the month, it should be noted that Derby have drawn back-to-back blanks at Pride Park.

As for the visitors, hit with what many thought was a shock 1-0 defeat against a high-flying Reading before heading into the international break, Watford’s new boss Vladimir Ivić is still hoping for his side to find some stability. While they might have just lost one of their opening four Championship contests since losing their top-flight status over the summer, including back-to-back wins on home soil, the Hornets have struggled with their form on the road. Including that defeat against the Royals last time out, Watford also saw their EFL Cup adventure brought to an abrupt end at the hands of League Two outfit Newport earlier in the month. In a contest that should see chances come at a real premium on Friday night, we’re backing a low-scoring encounter at Pride Park.

Bet: Under 2.5 goals at Derby vs Watford 4/5 for Friday’s Championship showdown @ 888sport