Sunderland U21 vs Derby County U21 Prediction 07.10.2024 | Premier League 2

• Competition: England - Premier League 2
• Date: Monday, 7th, October 2024
• Kickoff: 19:00 UK / 20.00 CEST
• Venue: Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground (Sunderland)

Monday's clash at Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground will feature a battle between two bottom-half teams as Sunderland U21 host Derby County U21 for matchday six of Premier League 2.

After making a promising start to their league campaign, picking up four out of a possible six from their opening pair of fixtures, Sunderland Under-21 have faced a noticeable drop in performance. More precisely, Graeme Murty's side approaches the Monday contest off the back of three heavy defeats in succession, which has caused them to slip down to 23rd place out of 26-team division, leaving them desperate for a turnaroud.

After losing both of their opening fixtures in the 2024-25 campaign, Derby County U23 have left their supporters fearing a repeat of last season’s struggles, when they ended up finishing in the lowest position on the table. Fortunately, the most recent league outings see the Rams lifting spirits, having engineered two wins from their last three Premier League games, currently separated by just one point from the playoff zone.

Sunderland U21 vs Derby County U21 Betting Tips: BTTS

As two lower-half sides prepare to face off in the Monday fixture with equal opportunities for a win, we expect a thrilling and goal-packed encounter that promises to keep spectators on the edge of their seats. Despite enjoying the comforts of home, Sunderland U21 will be hindered by a vulnerable backline that has been breached a shocking 15 times in their opening five league matches, with five of those goals conceded last time out during a 2-5 defeat against Fulham U21. 

With the Derby County U21 backline allowing three or more goals in four out of their first six games in various tournaments, it's clear that their defensive organization leaves much to be desired. On the bright side, the Rams have proven to be productive in the attacking third, as they have found the back of the net in every one of their outings this season, and BTTS has been successful in five instances. Given that both sides show considerable gaps at the back, we are inclined to expect another thrilling match with scoring from both teams, just like the exciting exchanges seen in their previous two meetings.