Sheff Utd - Derby

The Blades find themselves in a deep mud at 23rd place which is, at least for me, completely unexpected. Micky Adams is their fourth manager this season(!) and they’re without a win in 12 games. United lost their midweek six pointer at Scunthorpe on a shocking way after they had 2-0 lead. Adams’ storming after the game is probably a (final) try to wake up the squad and Derby should be the best possible opportunity for three points. 

The Rams are facing the plenty of problems on and off the pitch and are in a free fall. They are winless in last eight games losing five of them and haven’t scored in last three. Defender Roberts and midfielder Bailey are in doubt, while striker Jammie Ward cannot play against his parent club. But real trouble is a place goalkeeper. Stephen Bywater is out, as well as his substitution Saul Deeney (shoulder), so young Frank Fielding will step in and face lots of pressure. Derby are winless in last four meetings with the Blades (both home and away), losing three of them.

After stayed empty handed at Scunny, this is definitely make or break for United. Another defeat would likely send them in League One. I think they’ll have enough to pass the visitors, but wouldn’t exclude the possibility of a draw and take -0.25 at very nice odd.

Bet: Sheff Utd
Odd: 2.00 Stan James
Stake: 7/10
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Peterborough Utd. - Derby County

Peterborough lie at the bottom of the second tier with just three wins in past 24 rounds. They’re surely serious contenders for relegation, but something that gives a faith in better days is their results at home in past few weeks. They have just one defeat (Barnsley 1-2) in last six games (with two wins and three draws). Posh avoided defeats against very strong sides Boro (2-2), Swansea (2-2) and Cardiff (heroic comeback from 0-4 to 4-4). Have noticed victories against fellow strugglers Scunthorpe (3-0) and Watford (2-1). This game for hosts is to be or not to be and will probably dedicate their fate for this season. Three on-loan signings, forwards Reid and Mcleod and midfielder Livermore are available to play. Posh have scored in every home game this season.

 

Derby slowly become a serious contender for moving in the third tier. They’ve noticed three defeats in last four games (fourth game was vs. Newcastle on the road where the Rams somehow kept the goalless draw) and scored just two goals in their last six games. Real disaster came against another contender Scunthorpe, when they were trashed at home 1-4 and were booed off by the own supporters. After that, they passed League One side Millwall after penalties (0-0). Their performance looks without a clue, harmless in attack with insecure defense line. Also, dressing room atmosphere is not so good as papers are full of rumors that boss Nigel Clough has lost players’ support. Derby could be without defender Miles Addison for the game as he has a foot problem.

 

Posh are fighting at home and I don’t expect their less effort than usual. Visitors don’t look competitive currently and this is ideal opportunity for hosts to run from relegation zone. Also, home players didn’t have competitive fixture during the week as Derby did and on hard pitch at London Road that in combination with today’s rain became even worse could be also a big advantage to home side. 2.30 at Pinnacle, home win.

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Derby 2-1 Coventry

Rob Hulse scored twice as Derby came from behind to beat Coventry in a feisty Championship match that ended a run of three straight defeats for the Rams.
Derby started the game in 20th place and it looked as though manager Nigel Clough could be in for another torrid evening after Leon Best put Coventry ahead with a well-taken finish from 14 yards. 
Paul Dickov missed a glorious chance to equalise just before the break but shortly after the restart his cross was converted by Hulse. 
The Rams took the lead when Hulse, who has just returned after a stomach bug, finished a sweeping move before Coventry's Jordan Clarke saw red after picking up a second booking. 
Hulse should have completed his hat-trick but he had a late penalty saved by Dimi Konstantopoulos. 
Derby had lost eight of their last 11 games as Clough struggled to deal with a horrendous injury list. 
But in addition to Hulse, the Rams boss was also able to welcome back Dean Leacock and Paul Green - and his team were good value for their win after an improved second-half performance. 

Coventry, also battling against a lengthy injury list, scored with the first meaningful attack of the match - and it was a goal that, in part at least, was the product of awful defending.

www.bbc.co.uk

Tuesday night

Cardiff 6 - 1 Derby

Four-goal Michael Chopra fired Cardiff back to form in a crushing victory.
Peter Whittingham got the first in an early sign that Derby's offside trap would be exposed, then he set up Chopra for his first strike since August. 
Rob Hulse gave the Rams hope straight after the break, before the division's top-scorer Chopra took over, first latching on to Chris Burke's back-heel. 
Stephen McPhail set up the hat-trick, a sweet chip, McPhail playing a part in Chris Burke's goal and Chopra's closer. 
The Bluebirds had previously lost five of their last six matches in all competitions, an awful run that had seen the early season Championship leaders slip to ninth spot in the league. 
But Derby provided the perfect opposition, having lost seven of their last nine away league games. 
McPhail made a huge impression on his return from suspension, replacing Wales midfielder Joe Ledley who was banned for the game.
Cardiff manager Dave Jones:
"Chopra's movement and finishing was top class and he showed us all what a good player he is. 
"We had a lot of the ball and used it well but results like that don't come very often and we have to enjoy it while we can.
Derby manager Nigel Clough:
"I am very disappointed at the way we let the goals in particularly after getting back into the game straight after half time.
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Fiorentina 2 - 0 Liverpool

Stevan Jovetic was Liverpool's tormentor as he scored twice in Fiorentina's surprise win over the Reds in their Champions League Group E tie.
The teenager pierced the visitors' offside trap and slotted past Pepe Reina to put his side deservedly ahead. 
He added a second when he diverted in a powerful Juan Vargas strike. 
Liverpool had chances to get back into the game but Lucas Leiva put a free header high and Fernando Torres skied a close-range volley. 
The Reds did not lose away from home in the Champions League last season but were undone by a poor first-half showing and an inspired Viola at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
Liverpool had also found the net in their previous 21 Champions League matches and their failure to do so against the Serie A side saw them miss out on Bayern Munich's record scoring run of 22 games.
www.bbc.co.uk

Crystal Palace - Derby County

Crystal Palace started the season under all expectations. After six opening rounds, Eagles have noticed just a single win (Ipswich, 3-1 on the road), with two draws and three defeats. Their home shape is especially critical. One draw, two defeats, seven goals conceded and just a single scored (Plymouth 1-1)! And while first home defeat came from league giants Newcastle (0-2), second one, against Scunthorpe (0-4), easily can be called a disgrace. Manager Neil Warnock has a team consisted of talented youngsters. They showed a big potential in Cup game vs. Man.City when were 45 minutes fully equal with Mark Hughes’ stars. But, also it is expected they’ll make hot-cold displays. After good games, they’ll often make a drop in performance (after City they were saving their heads at London Road against Peterborough, 1-1), but after bad encounters when their dignity is hurt we can expect the answer on Premier League level. Warnock is one of the best managers in Championship, players have much more quality then they show so far and I think we can expect a very good game from the Palace. However, they could be without on-loan West Ham forward Freddie Sears who picked up a knock against Scunthorpe and former Derby defender Claude Davis, who has a hamstring problem. Key man in back line, centre-back Paddy McCarthy is available after serving his one-match.

Beside two wins in first two home games, against the teams that should finish at the bottom half of the table (Peterborough and Plymouth, both 2-1), Rams’ other results suggest a big possibility of struggling to avoid relegation. Although boss Nigel Clough repeats their performances are “positive”, his 5-4-1 formation hasn’t brought anything except a chorus of boos around Pride Park after another (third consecutive) defeat, against weak Barnsley at Tuesday 2-3 (their first league win this season). While Clough waits their positive displays to turn into positive results, pressure on him from club’s American owner rapidly raises, dressing room atmosphere is bad and injury list don’t make the things better. Striker Steven Davies is still sidelined, as well as key midfielder Paul Green and another key in defence line Jake Buxton. Strikers Chris Porter and Giles Barnes are long-term absentees. Left winger Stephen Pearson is expected to shake off a groin injury while striker Rob Hulse is on the road to recovery after coming down with a sickness bug earlier in the week. Lack of strikers in the squad Clough tried to solve with bringing on loan Everton’s talented youngster James Vaughan. But, we’ll wait to see will he make a debut, or another chance will be given to useless 5-4-1. However, tough times are in front the lads from Pride Park and I see them as one of the most serious contenders for relegation.

Slap that Palace got from Scunthorpe woke them from lethargy and still hurts. I expect the answer filled with the rage. Wounded Derby look like a victim of bad circumstances. 2.25 at Bwin. Home win.
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