Win2Win Racing
16th January 2009, 12:38
Andrew French tells us how Brian Clough's first game in charge could well end up with three points for Derby County and why Wolves' superb run is about to get a little better.
Just when you think Wolves are going to start treading treacle at the top of the Championship, they do something that makes you think they may well stay there all the way to May.
It is probably a bit churlish, with well over half of the season gone, to still consider Mick McCarthy's men could be a flash in the pan. They score goals for fun, they have the best away record in the division and they still have a four-point buffer over the field.
The reason for wondering if such a long spell at the summit has given Wolves a nosebleed, however, was their 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Preston last week. Yet the Old Gold roared back in midweek, progressing to the Fourth Round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 replay old neighbours Birmingham. And canny McCarthy could even afford to leave his 31-goal striker partnership of Sylvain Ebanks-Blake and Chris Iwelumo on the bench for more than 75 minutes.
The last time Wolves stuttered badly, in early October, they responded to a run of three defeats in four games by clocking up seven consecutive victories.
So, if last weekend's loss to Preston is about to spark a similar sequence, pity Bristol City who host Wolves at Ashton Gate in front of the Sky cameras on Saturday.
The Robins made the play-offs last season, but are currently climbing back up the table after slipping into the bottom third. They have won back-to-back league games to move into mid-table and, like Wolves, were involved in midweek FA Cup replay action, going down 2-0 at home to Portsmouth.
City draw a high number of home matches - seven of 13 so far in the league - and while I wouldn't want to talk you out of backing a stalemate at [3.35] this week, I think Wolves to win at [2.4] is the option for me. They have generally looked head and shoulders above virtually all of the rest of the Championship, and if they respond to the Preston defeat as they did to that apparent loss of form earlier in the season, they could be about to go on the sort of run that will secure an automatic promotion place.
With Ebanks-Blake and Iwelumo almost certain to be restored to the starting line-up, Wolves will possess their usual goal threat. City are certainly no mugs and will give their visitors a game, so backing 2-1 to Wolves at [9.8] is the Correct Score suggestion, with a 3-1 away win at [22.0] added in for good measure. McCarthy's side have already racked up 3-1 victories at Preston, Sheffield United and Charlton this season.
In line with the Correct Score thoughts, backing Over 2.5 goals at [1.96] is well worth some thought.
Elsewhere in the Championship, Derby look a good bet to see off poor travellers QPR at Pride Park. It's Nigel Clough's first game in charge, and I've talked before how even the most out-of-form team can suddenly spring a result from nowhere when a new man steps into the hot-seat.
With the squad they have, Derby should be doing far better. Whether the arrival of Clough will see them fulfil that potential remains to be seen, but there was plenty to like about their 1-0 Carling Cup semi-final win over Manchester United. So it wasn't United's strongest side but any team with the likes of Vidic, Scholes, Tevez and Nani in it would still be a real force in the Championship.
With just one win and five goals from their 13 away games, Rangers can't inspire much confidence among their travelling fans. They have drawn three of their last four away trips in the league, but a combination of their miserable results outside of Loftus Road, and the Clough effect on Derby, means that backing the Rams at [2.4] is the strong suggestion in this one.
Ex-Derby manager Billy Davies appears to have had the desired effect at Nottingham Forest. Last week's 2-0 victory at fellow strugglers Charlton was their third on the trot, and that included a 3-0 FA Cup win at Man City (who needs Kaka?!).
Visitors Plymouth have lost their last three away games without scoring, and although Forest have still got a long way to go before they can consider themselves safe, I think they will have Argyle's measure. Back a Forest victory at [2.22].
More... (http://betting.betfair.com/football/championship/championship-betting-put-your-money-behind-the-clough-effe-160109.html)
Just when you think Wolves are going to start treading treacle at the top of the Championship, they do something that makes you think they may well stay there all the way to May.
It is probably a bit churlish, with well over half of the season gone, to still consider Mick McCarthy's men could be a flash in the pan. They score goals for fun, they have the best away record in the division and they still have a four-point buffer over the field.
The reason for wondering if such a long spell at the summit has given Wolves a nosebleed, however, was their 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Preston last week. Yet the Old Gold roared back in midweek, progressing to the Fourth Round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 replay old neighbours Birmingham. And canny McCarthy could even afford to leave his 31-goal striker partnership of Sylvain Ebanks-Blake and Chris Iwelumo on the bench for more than 75 minutes.
The last time Wolves stuttered badly, in early October, they responded to a run of three defeats in four games by clocking up seven consecutive victories.
So, if last weekend's loss to Preston is about to spark a similar sequence, pity Bristol City who host Wolves at Ashton Gate in front of the Sky cameras on Saturday.
The Robins made the play-offs last season, but are currently climbing back up the table after slipping into the bottom third. They have won back-to-back league games to move into mid-table and, like Wolves, were involved in midweek FA Cup replay action, going down 2-0 at home to Portsmouth.
City draw a high number of home matches - seven of 13 so far in the league - and while I wouldn't want to talk you out of backing a stalemate at [3.35] this week, I think Wolves to win at [2.4] is the option for me. They have generally looked head and shoulders above virtually all of the rest of the Championship, and if they respond to the Preston defeat as they did to that apparent loss of form earlier in the season, they could be about to go on the sort of run that will secure an automatic promotion place.
With Ebanks-Blake and Iwelumo almost certain to be restored to the starting line-up, Wolves will possess their usual goal threat. City are certainly no mugs and will give their visitors a game, so backing 2-1 to Wolves at [9.8] is the Correct Score suggestion, with a 3-1 away win at [22.0] added in for good measure. McCarthy's side have already racked up 3-1 victories at Preston, Sheffield United and Charlton this season.
In line with the Correct Score thoughts, backing Over 2.5 goals at [1.96] is well worth some thought.
Elsewhere in the Championship, Derby look a good bet to see off poor travellers QPR at Pride Park. It's Nigel Clough's first game in charge, and I've talked before how even the most out-of-form team can suddenly spring a result from nowhere when a new man steps into the hot-seat.
With the squad they have, Derby should be doing far better. Whether the arrival of Clough will see them fulfil that potential remains to be seen, but there was plenty to like about their 1-0 Carling Cup semi-final win over Manchester United. So it wasn't United's strongest side but any team with the likes of Vidic, Scholes, Tevez and Nani in it would still be a real force in the Championship.
With just one win and five goals from their 13 away games, Rangers can't inspire much confidence among their travelling fans. They have drawn three of their last four away trips in the league, but a combination of their miserable results outside of Loftus Road, and the Clough effect on Derby, means that backing the Rams at [2.4] is the strong suggestion in this one.
Ex-Derby manager Billy Davies appears to have had the desired effect at Nottingham Forest. Last week's 2-0 victory at fellow strugglers Charlton was their third on the trot, and that included a 3-0 FA Cup win at Man City (who needs Kaka?!).
Visitors Plymouth have lost their last three away games without scoring, and although Forest have still got a long way to go before they can consider themselves safe, I think they will have Argyle's measure. Back a Forest victory at [2.22].
More... (http://betting.betfair.com/football/championship/championship-betting-put-your-money-behind-the-clough-effe-160109.html)