Championship 2018-19 Playoff Final – Aston Villa vs Derby County Betting Preview

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Aston Villa look to bounce back from last years disappointment as they take on Frank Lampard’s Derby for a place in the Premier League at Wembley!

After losing the Playoff Final to Fulham last season, Aston Villa are back again this year thanks to a hot run of form to end the season to get into the Playoffs and then a penalty shootout win against rivals West Brom, Villa will be looking to get back into the top flight for the first time in 3 years!

As for Derby, they have been the lowest placed team out of all in the Playoffs as they finished 6^th, however an unbelievable comeback win against Leeds despite being underdogs after trailing 2-0 on aggregate and eventually winning 4-3 thanks to a 2-4 away win, Derby became the first team in this century to win a Championship Playoff Semi Final tie after losing the 1^st leg at home. Derby will be seeking to be back in the Premier League for the first time since 2008 when they had a historically bad season totalling 11 points (Premier League all time low).

Aston Villa are coming into this game on some great form. Just recently they went on a 10 game win streak which essentially put them in the Playoffs. Although they didn’t play too great against West Brom over 2 legs, they still got the job done and should be full of confidence of winning this game.

Derby are also on some very solid form. They’re coming off a great performance against Leeds at Elland Road to put them into the Final with a 2-4 win, an in general overall looking they are playing very well for weeks now. They lost just 1 of their last 8 games in general winning 5 of them and their goal scoring form has been very good with 18 goals in this 8 game stretch which is just over 2 per game.

Tammy Abraham is the man to watch for Villa. 26 goals in total this season in the Championship, he netted a winning goal in the 1^st leg of the Playoff Semi Final and then netted the winning penalty in the shootout in the 2^nd leg to put Villa into the Final. He scored in both meetings against Villa this season. The youngster should be full of confidence entering this game.

As for Derby, Jack Marriott is the man to watch. He recently went through a injury riddled, not much playing time stretch but after his performance coming off the bench against Leeds scoring 2 goals including bagging the winner to send them to the Final, you have to say that the clubs forward has earned a start and is a very serious goal threat when he’s right which he seems to be again.

Aston Villa have dominated Derby in their 2 meetings this season so far, in fact both games were big Villa wins as they beat Derby 0-3 and 4-0 totalling for a 7-0 aggregate score.

Aston Villa are tipped favourites to win this game in 90 mins. Villa to win is offered at 2.20 whereas Derby to win is 3.65 with Draw offered at 3.15. Villa did finish above Derby this season and overall have been a better team also battering them twice in the H2H. However, don’t underestimate Derby. This is a team that won at Old Trafford, St. Mary’s, beat multiple top sides of the Championship away and overcame bigger odds than this at Leeds when pre-game they were 5.00 to win and even higher to advance which they did of course. This should be a very intense, tightly contested tie. The odds are based on TonyBet.

Team News

Aston Villa: Keeper Orjan Nyland is out while James Chester is doubtful to play. Axel Tuanzebe is expected to be available despite picking up a knock previously.

Derby County: Andy King, Craig Bryson and David Nugent are all officially out while Martyn Waghorn and Duane Holmes are doubtful. Scott Malone is suspended and is also out.

Betting Stats (Over/Void/Under and Win/Void/Lost Format)

Aston Villa have covered 60.4% of their total goal overs this season (29-19). 2^nd best in Championship.

Aston Villa have covered 45.8% of their total 1^st half goal overs this season (22-14-12). 4^th best in Championship.

Aston Villa average 1.83 bookings per game in the league this season (88 bookings in 48 games).

Aston Villa have covered 47.9% of their Handicaps this season (23-4-21).

Aston Villa have covered 37.5% of their 1^st half Handicaps this season (18-11-19).

Derby have covered 47.9% of their total goal overs this season (23-0-25).

Derby have covered 43.8% of their total 1^st half goal overs this season (21-14-13).

Derby average 2.17 bookings per game in the league this season (104 bookings in 48 games).

Derby have covered 47.9% of their Handicaps this season (23-3-22).

Derby have covered 45.8% of their 1^st half Handicaps this season (22-7-19).

Recent Championship Playoff Final Stats – This Decade (2010-2018)