FRIDAY ..........

ENGLAND..... CHAMPIONSHIP

DERBY COUNTY-COVENTRY CITY

I must admit that I am surprised by how poor Derby have been this season, when I expected them to at least challenge for a playoff spot. Nigel Clough has been in charge at the club for exactly ten months and I for one, thought that he would have turned them around by now. Admittedly his side have really struggled with injuries this season and there have been one or two recent signs that they are about to turn the corner and I fancy them to get a much needed win on Friday evening in this Midlands derby.

Clough's first win as coach came in this fixture back in January, which gives him and his team positive mental memories and facing a team struggling just as badly recently, they should be able to put that to good use. City have a very small squad and have also had a crowded treatment room, goals have been very hard to come by with just one in 360 + minutes of football and that came in a game where they were already 2-0 down.

Huge boost for County with the return of Dean Leacock, Jay McEveley and especially key striker Rob Hulse, who likes to play against City, scoring in both games last season. The home faithful will again turn out in huge numbers for this televised fixture and I feel we will see a return to form for County and a much bettter 2010 in prospect for them.

6.5 points Derby County -1/4 ball 1.92 asian line.

Good Luck.