Will Derby advance to the next round of the cup?
Derby County have already been eliminated from the EFL Cup, but the Rams are still in the FA Cup. Derby avoided a cup debacle with a draw against Torquay United in the first week of November and forced a second leg in the FA Cup. Derby and Torquay United now meet again just days before the opening game of the 2022 World Cup.
The bookmakers once again see the Rams as favourites. This time, Derby vs. Torquay United even offers betting odds of only 1.10 for tip 1. Last week, Torquay were already shown up by their league rivals from Chesterfield and conceded a bitter 1:5 defeat – is the next defensive debacle to follow?
The Rams, in contrast to their upcoming cup opponents, won their most recent encounter in the league – the third-tier League One, mind you. Derby’s 3-1 win over MK Dons was their eighth league success of the season, climbing them up to sixth place and thus the final starting spot for the promotion play-offs.
If the momentum carries over, the only question in the cup tie against Torquay is how big a win the Rams will get. Derby were already the better team in the first leg and only squandered the victory when they were shorthanded.
Derby – Statistics & current form
Derby County are aiming for a return to the Championship. Last season, the traditional club from East Midlands was relegated from the second English league. Although the Rams played a strong season, staying in the league was no longer possible due to numerous point deductions – mainly because of the financial situation.
The 2022/23 season got off to a mixed start after the big summer shake-up. After 17 match days, Derby only have a record of 8-4-5 and are in sixth place in League One. The gap to a direct promotion place is already ten points, so it is all the more important to continue the recent winning streak.
Head coach Paul Warne’s team remained unbeaten in the last four league games. The Rams’ offence has been particularly convincing. After all, Derby have scored eight goals in their last three matches, three of which came in their most recent league game against the MK Dons.
Does Derby deliver a shoot-out?
Internally, James Collins currently leads the scoring charts for the Rams. The 31-year-old has already scored six goals this season and is therefore set to lead the way. Against Torquay, it is obvious that head coach Warne will start with a double top again. Top scorer Collins will probably be supported by Osula.
The youngster featured in the first leg against Torquay and scored two goals for the Rams. No major changes are expected from the starting eleven against Milton Keynes Dons.
Derby County have not been eliminated in the first round of the FA Cup since 1984/85. The Rams will therefore approach the match against Torquay with confidence and want to continue their streak this season. If the Rams win the cup match, odds of 1.10 are also paid on Derby vs Torquay United for tip 1.
Predicted Derby line-up:
Wildsmith; Smith, Stearman, Forsyth, Roberts; Mendez-Laing, Hourihane, Bird, Dobbin; Osula, Collins
Last matches played by Derby:
League One
12/11/2022 – Milton Keynes Dons 1 – 3 Derby
Carabao Cup
10/11/2022 – Liverpool FC (3)0 – 0(2) Derby
FA Cup
06/11/2022 – Torquay 2 – 2 Derby
League One
02/11/2022 – Morecambe 1 – 1 Derby
29/10/2022 – Derby 4 – 2 Bristol Rovers
Torquay – Statistics & current form
The Gulls are currently in a form crisis and are on a relegation course in the fifth English league. After 19 matchdays, Torquay are second from last in the National League and have only 14 points so far. Last week, the Gulls suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat at home to Chesterfield.
It was the first time Torquay had lost a match in three competitive games. The match against Chesterfield was the fourth home game in a row for the Gulls. For the first time since the defeat at Notts County (0:4), the National League’s bottom team has to play away from home in the cup match at Derby.
As expected, the Gulls are the underdogs. Head coach Gary Johnson’s side have lost four of their last five competitive matches on foreign soil. It would therefore be all the more surprising if Torquay were to overcome the difficult cup hurdle at the Rams.
Will Torquay fail again in the FA Cup?
The Gulls have not been in the second round of the FA Cup since 2011/12. At times, Torquay United even had to pull out of the FA Cup qualifiers. According to the recent history in the FA Cup, it is therefore more than risky to predict a surprise for the Gulls in Derby vs Torquay United.
Head coach Johnson will be able to draw on a full complement of players for the cup tie against the Rams and has no personnel problems to complain about. It is quite possible that the Gulls will field a similar starting eleven as they did in the league match against Chesterfield FC.
Predicted Torquay line-up:
Halstead; Donnellan, Ness, Ellis, Moxey; De Silva, Lapslie, Hall, Wearne; Goodwin, Jarvis
Last matches played by Torquay:
National League
12/11/2022 – Torquay 1 – 5 Chesterfield
10/11/2022 – Torquay 3 – 3 Dorking Wanderers
FA Cup
06/11/2022 – Torquay 2 – 2 Derby
National League
02/11/2022 – Torquay 6 – 1 Aldershot
29/10/2022 – Notts Co 4 – 0 Torquay
Derby – Torquay Direct Comparison / H2H Balance
Derby County and Torquay United met for the first time ever in a competitive match in the recent cup tie. The Gulls came back from 2-0 down to draw with the Rams. Torquay benefited from overtime play in the second half, so the draw should not be overstated.
Derby – Torquay Tip
The Rams go into the cup match against Torquay with a broad chest and aim for a place in the second round of the FA Cup. Derby have not been eliminated in the first round of the FA Cup since 1984/85. The visitors from Torquay, on the other hand, have not reached the second round of the FA Cup for more than ten years.
It would therefore be all the more surprising if Torquay were to end their negative streak in the FA Cup this season of all seasons. In the league, after all, the Gulls are on course for relegation and are among the weakest teams in the fourth-tier National League.
Like the bookmakers, we see Derby County as clear favourites and are expecting an emphatic victory on Tuesday evening. For Derby vs. Torquay, our betting odds of 1.93 are on a handicap win for the Rams with at least a three-goal lead. We are betting five units on this one.
