Derby 7/5 to beat Reading in Fridays Championship opener

Competition: Championship

Market: Derby win

Odds: 7/5 @ Bet 365

After an eye-catching run of form during his first pre-season as a manager, Chelsea legend Frank Lampard’s Derby side will travel to the Madejski Stadium in the first game of this year’s Champions campaign.

Starting with Paul Clement’s Reading side, although many at the Madejski had hoped for an improvement under the former Swansea boss, The Royals only avoided the drop by three points last season and they have slumped their way through their pre-season preparations. Coming off the back of 4-0 loss to Crystal Palace at home and with it becoming more likely captain Liam Moore will leave the club, Reading have failed to win any of their last 11 matches in all competitions and will struggle against a Derby side brimming with confidence.

As for Frank Lampard, the former England captain could not have wished for a better start to his first managerial role. With Derby reaching the playoff semi-finals under now Stoke boss Gary Rowett, The Rams have caught the eye of many in pre-season and are tipped by some as a darkhorse this time around. Winning four of their five pre-season outings, The Whites collected the scalps of Premier League duo Wolves and Southampton. Putting three past The Saints last month, one man to watch could be last years Championship top scorer Matěj Vydra, the 26-year-old found the net 21 times last year.

Bet: Derby to beat Reading in Fridays Championship opener 7/5 @ Bet 365