Derby v Birmingham: Back goals at Pride Park

Will Marlon King get on the scoresheet at Pride Park?

East Midlands host West in the Championship's evening kick-off and Andy Tongue expects a lively encounter...

Derby v Birmingham
Saturday 24th November - 17:20
Live on Sky Sports 2

Neither side is pulling up any trees this season and the pair sit in the pack of sides that are looking both up towards the play-off places and down at the growing gap between the bottom five and the rest. Currently Derby have more reason to eye the top six but only three points separates these old rivals.

Derby

Nigel Clough's men have a decent home record, having lost just once from their eight games at Pride Park this season. They have produced some flowing football at times as 5-1 and 4-1 wins over Watford and Blackpool respectively will testify.

Seventeen-year-old midfield starlet Will Hughes made headlines last year when he skipped off school to make his Rams debut and his form this season has reportedly caught the eye of mighty Barcelona as well as the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United. Top scorer Theo Robinson will be hoping for a recall after starting last week's 3-0 defeat at league leaders Crystal Palace on the bench.

Birmingham

Expected, almost by default, to be promotion contenders given they reached last season's play-offs and were in the Premier League the year before that. However, they have struggled and manager Lee Clark seemed on the brink after the 5-0 hammering at home to unfashionable Barnsley. He clung on but their recent results read won two, drawn two, lost two which just about sums up their unremarkable form this season.

With players of the calibre of Ravel Morrison, Marlon King and Nikola Zigic they are certainly capable of much better, while Papa Bouba Diop has been an unused substitute in recent games but is ready to make his debut and add some steel and experience to their midfield.

Under/Over 2.5 Goals

The Blues have traditionally been a side who keep it tight at the back and aren't overflowing with goals either, but in recent weeks there have been signs of a more positive approach with the 3-3 draw at Millwall (coming back from 3-0 down) and losing by the odd goal in five at home to Hull last Saturday. With Derby scoring plenty at home, Over 2.5 Goals looks the most solid bet and is available at 1.9310/11.

To Score

Much travelled striker King, who was jailed in 2009 for a nightclub assault, will get plenty of stick from the home fans but as happened at the Den where he smashed in a hat-trick in that impressive comeback, this only brings out the best in the feisty front-man. In fact, he has six in eight games away from home and having scored in each of Birmingham's last three games is worth backing in the score anytime market to keep that run going.

Recommended Bet: Back Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.9310/11
Other Bet: Back Marlon King To Score @ 3.02/1 or better