Ipswich Town vs Derby County: Prediction, Results, Stats

When Ipswich Town visit Pride Park Stadium on 7 February 2026, the Championship promotion race delivers a decisive result — Leif Davis’s second-half header seals a 1-2 win for the visitors, cementing Ipswich’s grip on second place while Derby slip to eighth. Beyond the headline scoreline, the fixture reveals deeper patterns: Ipswich’s superior goal difference, dominance across 48 historical meetings, and tactical edges that could define their promotion push.

Recent Result: Derby County 1-2 Ipswich Town · Ipswich Position: 2nd in Championship · Derby Position: 8th in Championship · Key Scorer: Leif Davis (header) · Match Date: 7 Feb 2026

The Championship table provides immediate context for the fixture’s significance. Ipswich occupy second place with a goal difference of +21, while Derby sit eighth with a +7 differential — a gap that reflects their contrasting seasons.

Ipswich Town vs Derby County Prediction

Pre-match forecasts pointed toward an Ipswich win, with Squawka listing odds of 20/21 in their preview for the 7 February fixture. The prediction drew from Ipswich’s superior attacking metrics and a goal difference of +21 compared to Derby’s +7 over the season. Statistical models on FootyStats gave over 2.5 goals roughly a 40% chance, while both teams finding the net sat at 71% based on recent head-to-head patterns.

Current Form Analysis

Derby County have shown resilience at Pride Park, winning seven of 19 home matches, but their defensive record tells a concerning story. Squawka data indicates Derby concede an average of 2.7 goals per match, a figure that could prove costly against an Ipswich side averaging 1.51 xG per game compared to Derby’s 1.06.

• Ipswich away form: 7 wins, 5 draws, 6 losses (SoccerPunter form data)
• Derby home form: 7 wins in 19 matches (SoccerPunter form data)
• BTTS probability in H2H: 71% (FootyStats statistical model)

The implication: Derby’s defensive vulnerabilities at home create exploitable space for an Ipswich side that converts set-piece chances at a high rate.

Key Player Matchups

The February encounter featured Leif Davis, whose late header proved decisive in securing all three points. J Greaves had also found the net in earlier meetings between the clubs, while C Morris scored a penalty for Derby. Joshua Smith officiated the match at Pride Park Stadium.

Ipswich Town vs Derby County Results

The headline result from the most recent meeting on 7 February 2026 saw Derby County fall to a 1-2 defeat at home against Ipswich Town. Flashscore recorded the outcome, with Leif Davis’s second-half header proving the match-winner. A Sky Sports match report for a 2-2 draw and WhoScored data for the 2025/2026 Championship season suggest multiple encounters between the clubs in recent months, reflecting the congested fixture schedule.

Recent Match Recap

The February result at Pride Park Stadium gave Ipswich a crucial boost in their promotion push. With the visitors sitting second in the table and Derby eighth, the three points represented more than just a local rivalry win — it was a statement of intent. Davis’s goal came from open play, capping a determined second-half performance from the visitors.

Leif Davis Winner

Davis has become a focal point in Ipswich’s attacking approach, and his header against Derby showcased the set-piece quality that has contributed to their strong campaign. The goal arrived at a critical juncture, shifting momentum decisively in Ipswich’s favour after what had been a competitive encounter.

Ipswich Town vs Derby County Stats

Across 48 recorded meetings between the clubs, Ipswich hold a clear historical advantage with 26 wins against Derby’s 13, alongside nine draws. When looking at more recent form, the picture remains favourable for Town: in 37 Championship matches, Ipswich have won 19 with 11 draws and seven losses, while Derby’s 38-game record shows 16 wins, nine draws and 13 defeats.

League Standings

The current season has amplified the contrast between these clubs. Ipswich occupy second place in the Sky Bet Championship on the strength of their +21 goal difference, one of the division’s best defensive records combined with efficient attacking output. Derby sit eighth, competitive but without the consistency needed to challenge the top two, reflected in their +7 goal difference.

Performance Metrics

Expected goals data from recent head-to-head meetings shows Ipswich generating 1.51 xG per match against Derby’s 1.06, suggesting Town create better quality chances regardless of venue. Derby have commanded 54% possession on average in these fixtures, yet struggle to convert dominance into goals, partly explaining why both teams have found the net in 71% of recent encounters.

The pattern: Derby control matches without converting that control into goals, while Ipswich operate with clinical efficiency despite lower possession figures.

Ipswich Town vs Derby County Live

Following the February result, fans seeking live updates have several reliable options. Sofascore offers real-time score tracking alongside player statistics, while Flashscore provides match timelines and event details. Sky Sports and BBC coverage offer post-match analysis including goal clips and match reports, though live streaming typically requires a subscription service or broadcast rights holder.

Stream Options

Official streaming for Championship matches is available through club-specific packages or broader sports subscription platforms. The official league website may carry selected fixtures, while international broadcasters covering the English second tier offer additional access depending on regional rights agreements.

Live Score Sources

Beyond Sofascore, WhoScored delivers match ratings and in-depth statistical breakdowns that appeal to fans wanting deeper analytical context. Fotmob provides venue details and team news alongside their score tracking, making it useful for pre-match preparation as well as live following.

Ipswich Town vs Derby County Lineups

Lineup information for the February match came through match-day reports on Sofascore, with official team sheets released approximately one hour before kick-off at Pride Park Stadium. Fans seeking confirmed XIs for future encounters should monitor club social media channels or trusted data aggregators, as pre-match team news often shifts based on late training assessments or tactical decisions.

Expected Starting XI

Neither club published formal predicted lineups in the build-up to the February fixture, consistent with standard practice in English football where clubs guard tactical surprises. Live lineup feeds from Sofascore and Flashscore update in real time, making them the most reliable source once the match begins.

Injury Updates

Neither primary league records nor major sports publications carried confirmed injury news for specific players ahead of the February match. For current squad availability, club websites and official social media accounts provide the most up-to-date medical bulletins, supplemented by specialist football medicine sources.

The contrast between these two clubs extends well beyond the February result at Pride Park. Ipswich have built a season around defensive solidity and clinical finishing — their +21 goal difference speaks to both fewer goals conceded and more goals scored than almost any other side in the division. Derby, meanwhile, sit comfortably enough in eighth but lack the consistency to threaten the top six. Their home record of seven wins from 19 matches and a defensive average of 2.7 goals conceded per game hint at structural issues that a single result cannot mask.

Ipswich’s historical dominance over Derby compounds the challenge for the home side. Across 48 recorded meetings, Town have claimed 26 victories to Derby’s 13, a ratio that holds even when isolating more recent fixtures. The February header from Leif Davis was not an anomaly — it was the continuation of a pattern. For Derby, closing the gap requires more than tactical adjustments; it demands a fundamental shift in defensive application and attacking efficiency.

For promotion-chasing clubs like Ipswich, the imperative is straightforward: maintain momentum and convert set-piece chances at the current rate. For mid-table sides like Derby, the path forward involves tightening the back line and building consistency across ninety minutes rather than sporadic impressive performances.