Derby battling for survival
Derby boss Wayne Rooney insists the Rams “will preserve going, preserve preventing, preserve believing” regardless of struggling a 3-1 defeat at Blackburn on Tuesday evening, a consequence that leaves County six factors from Championship security. Derby had dominated the opening interval, opening the scoring when Ravel Morrison transformed Nathan Byrne’s low cross within the twenty eighth minute.
The Rams conceded two quick-fire targets earlier than the hour mark but nonetheless had alternatives to degree, with Morrison denied a number of possibilities for a second by way of a mix defensive blocks and good goalkeeping, earlier than Blackburn pinched a 3rd purpose in stoppage-time.
County can be sixteenth within the Championship desk had they not been hit with a 21-point deduction, and post-match Rooney stated: “First half we had been wonderful, we moved the ball properly and actually triggered Blackburn issues. I believed we might have gone into the break a couple of purpose up. So to then concede two targets from set-pieces is simply disappointing.”
The hosts will now even be with out ahead Colin Kazim-Richards, who left the Ewood Park pitch on a stretcher, additional depleting Rooney’s choices.
Coventry top-six hopes dented
Coventry‘s hopes of reaching the Championship play-offs had been dented on Wednesday evening after two first-half targets secured lowly Hull a shock 2-0 success on the Coventry Constructing Society Enviornment. Trailing by two contained in the opening half hour, the Sky Blues thought he had pulled one again late on however the referee dominated Ian Maatsen‘s effort hadn’t crossed the road.
Supervisor Mark Robins made two modifications for the competition – Dom Hyam got here in for Kyle McFadzean whereas Ben Sheaf took the place of Michael Rose – however Metropolis had been made to pay for his or her sluggish begin. Coventry racked up 17 pictures and 12 corners as strain intensified within the second interval, with the Sky Blues additionally fluffing three Huge Possibilities in entrance of their residence followers.
Robins missed the match after testing constructive for COVID final weekend, together with assistant Adi Viveash, each of whom had been self-isolating. Additional disruption adopted as first-team coach Dennis Lawrence was set to take the crew but in addition acquired a constructive COVID take a look at, as did coach Aled Williams, leaving U23s boss Luke Tisdale to finally take the reins.
Derby have bagged a solitary success of their final eight encounters with Coventry (W1-D3-L4), with the duo having already met twice this time period. County picked up a 1-1 draw within the reverse contest however had been crushed 1-0 when the 2 groups crossed swords within the FA Cup again in January. The Rams have W3-D5-L0 within the final eight conferences at Pleasure Park.
Derby 2.8815/8 can be sat simply 15 factors above the bottom-three if their 21-point penalty hadn’t been imposed (W11-D12-L15). Wayne Rooney’s outfit have solely thrice suffered consecutive residence league losses and boast a gutsy W9-D6-L3 return at Pleasure Park – two defeats arriving towards top-six groups. County additionally personal the fourth-best residence defence.
Coventry 2.727/4 had been the Championship’s early shock bundle this season and though inconsistent winter type has seen Mark Robins’ males slip out of the top-six, the Sky Blues stay within the play-off image. The guests have solely W5-D5-L8 on the street however may name upon a wonderful W8-D2-L1 return when taking over bottom-seven dwellers.
Solely three Championship golf equipment has seen fewer targets per-game on common this season than Derby. The Rams’ matches have produced a measly 2.13 targets per-game – unsurprisingly, 23 (61%) of County’s league outings have seen Below 2.5 Objectives 1.738/11 backers acquire with 13/20 (65%) of Pleasure Park fixtures that includes not more than two strikes.
Coventry have silenced simply two residence groups since August and with Derby getting on the scoresheet in 16 of their 18 residence Championship outings, it is smart to maintain the Rams onside as a giant underdog, particularly so contemplating their resolute document as hosts. With that in thoughts, backing Derby Double Probability and Below 3.5 Objectives appeals at truthful 1.758/11 quotes.
