Skip to content

Ollie's predictions: A win for Derby, but what is the 'Derby way'?

Ian Holloway
Image: Ollie predicts wins for QPR, Middlesbrough and Derby.

Sky Sports' Ian Holloway predicts the outcomes of the big games in the Football League and foresees wins for QPR, Middlesbrough and Derby.

QPR v Fulham, Sky Sports 1, Saturday 12.30pm

Fulham have won just one of their last 15 league matches while QPR are starting to look a little more stable under Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who has got his team improving with each game. I didn't like the upheaval behind the scenes before Hasselbaink's appointment but there is a bit of calm at the club at the minute.

Ollie's Sky Bet Hat-Trick
Ollie's Sky Bet Hat-Trick

Ollie's weekend treble is Brighton, Derby and Sheff Wed all to win at 4/1. Bet here.

The R's have a terrible record in London derbies of late - not winning any of the last 15 games - but that run will come to an end here. Matt Phillips to get the first goal.

FL72 Live

OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 8/1)

Leeds v Middlesbrough, Sky Sports 1, Monday 7.45pm

I was at the Riverside for the corresponding fixture and Leeds were woeful that day. However, they are far more resolute under Steve Evans, who has made them a tough nut to crack.

Also See:

Middlesbrough need a positive result in this game as their promotion rivals all have winnable games on Saturday. David Nugent missed a bit of a sitter in the 1-1 draw with MK Dons in midweek but he's getting into good positions and scored against Leeds earlier this season. He's good for the winning goal. 

FL72 Live

OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)

Blackburn v Hull City, Saturday 3pm

Hull lost a big game last weekend at Burnley and it's opened everything up at the top, but it's only one game and they have the mentality to get over that defeat. Steve Bruce never gets too flustered - that's his secret. People that have been there and done it make a huge difference. 

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Middlesbrough and Blackburn

Paul Lambert has failed to win any of his last eight matches in the Championship although they're not as bad as that statistic suggests and Ewood Park is a tough place to go. However, I like siding with the Tigers in these war of attrition type of games as they have the right characters to grind out a result and players with great quality in the final third. 

OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 8/1)

Brighton v Bolton, Saturday 3pm

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights of Brighton's 3-0 win over Brentford in the Sky Bet Championship

I was so impressed with Brighton last weekend in their 3-0 win over Brentford, with and without the ball. The organisation was fantastic and they've now got some flair in the right areas of the pitch. I love the way Anthony Knockaert has fitted into Chris Hughton's team - it's a flashback of what he achieved at Leicester.

He's a sensational player and a joy to watch. The way he penetrates defences with his forward-thinking runs really opens up the game for his team. It's given Brighton a whole new dimension and they can have a right good go at automatic promotion as the teams above them haven't really taken advantage of the blip they had over Christmas. 

I was deeply saddened to read that Bolton chairman Phil Gartside has passed away. He was instrumental in building Bolton into a Premier League force with Sam Allardyce. I'm sure the Bolton fans will be paying their respects to him as he deserves it. 

OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)

Derby v MK Dons, Saturday 3pm

Derby are fifth in the table. What a wonderful achievement. It sets you right up for a crack at promotion, yes?

The club are in a brilliant position. The structure is bang on and they've got a good crop of youngsters. If I was a Derby fan or the chairman, I'd be very excited about the future. They're not far away from creating something special.

But.... Paul Clement gets the sack. Nothing in football surprises me now.

I'd love to sit down with Derby chairman Mel Morris and ask him what the 'Derby way' he spoke of in the week really is.
Ollie on the 'Derby way'

I'd love to sit down with Derby chairman Mel Morris and ask him what the 'Derby way' he spoke of in the week really is.

You've got to remember who you are, where you are and what you're trying to achieve. Is drawing 1-1 at home with Reading so bad that the chairman has to come down to the dressing room? It's not his job to do that.

If that's the 'Derby way' then it's not going to work in the long-term.

They might not have played well, but this is the Championship, over the course of 46 games you're going to have some terrible performances. That's football! You've got to take the good with the bad.

The 'Derby way' should come from the top of the club. The message should revolve around building a club where everybody is calm and believes they can achieve success even when things go horribly wrong. A knee-jerk reaction from above is the last thing anybody needs at a football club. Despite relegation, it didn't happen at Burnley or Hull over the summer and look at them now.

However, despite the turbulent week at Derby it's hard not to fancy them at home to MK Dons. The Rams have only lost one of their last 12 home games! Hardly a sackable offence, eh? 

Paul Clement was frustrated with the way his side threw away their unbeaten run.
Image: Paul Clement was sacked by Derby on Monday

OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 8/1)

Sheffield Wednesday v Brentford, Saturday 3pm

Sheffield Wednesday are in the hunt for automatic promotion now. Absolutely.

I'd be stunned if they don't make the play-offs at least. In fact, I think they're nailed on for a top-six finish.

I'm especially delighted for the Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal, who conducts himself impeccably and has got his team playing a very attractive style of football. They've already scored two more goals than they managed in the whole of last season!

The crowd are loving it as this type of challenge wasn't to be expected - playing without expectation will be a huge advantage over some of the other teams in the promotion race. They've got a free shot at it this year. 

I can easily see them winning here, but I'm backing goals as this style of play always leaves the door open for the opposition. 

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham and Sheffield Wednesday

OLLIE PREDICTS: 3-2 (Sky Bet odds 22/1)

Reading v Burnley, Saturday 3pm

Burnley have knocked the title race wide open following their win at Hull - from a neutral's perspective it makes for fascinating viewing.

Sam Vokes of Burnley celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match against Arsenal
Image: Sam Vokes has been in good goalscoring form for Burnley

The club need to be commended for how they're running things. No one has got too emotional and burst into the dressing room shouting their head off after a draw. Everyone has controlled their feelings about the possibility of going straight back up. It's worked a treat as they're bang in the mix now after a great run of seven games unbeaten, winning five. They're playing the long game and slowly building momentum - it's an ominous sign considering they've got a man in the dugout who's been here before and got the promotion t-shirt.

Sam Vokes has been flying lately too. I really like him. It's great that he's found a home and got back to fitness after a horrendous injury. He's a master at holding the ball and bringing other players into the game. 

OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)

Rotherham v Birmingham City, Saturday 3pm

I know I sound like a broken record, but I don't understand why Neil Redfearn has been sacked. Rotherham have come up two divisions back-to-back and you've got to give the club time to settle, to build. Everyone wants success yesterday. Maybe this is the future?

It's alright having ambition, but it's has to be tinged with reality. We've spoken about the 'Derby way' and I'm not sure what the 'Rotherham way' is at the moment.

Birmingham are back in the hunt. What a magnificent job Gary Rowett has done, especially after losing Demarai Gray to Leicester. They've picked up 24 points on the road this season and I think they'll get three more here. 

OLLIE PREDICTS: 0-2 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)

Gillingham v Barnsley, League One, Saturday 3pm

Barnsley may have won their last six league matches, but they've just lost their manager Lee Johnson to Bristol City. That could hit them hard and gives the advantage to Gillingham, who need a good result to keep apace at the top of the league. Justin Edinburgh has the best home record in League One with 36 points and with a player like Bradley Dack in your side, goals can flow easily.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Goals from Marley Watkins, Sam Winnall and Adam Hammill saw Barnsley coast to a 3-0 victory over Bury

OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)

Portsmouth v Bristol Rovers, League Two, Saturday 3pm

Go on the Gas! This looks a great time to visit Fratton Park as Pompey have won just four of last 15 league games. The job Darrell Clarke is doing at Rovers is phenomenal. I'm so proud of everyone at the club - keep it going!

OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 10/1)

Around Sky