Derby v Wolves: Rams will take their chance to go top

Derby striker Chris Martin has already bagged himself ten goals this season

Andy Tongue thinks that Steve McLaren's side are a good bet in Saturday's televised lunchtime Championship clash with the incentive of going top should they win...

Derby v Wolves
Saturday 8 November, 12:15
Live on Sky Sports 1

Derby
The Rams had a mini-wobble when they moved top, suffering back-to-back defeats at home to Wigan and then at Brentford having gone ahead in both games. Boss Steve McClaren admitted they hadn't handled the pressure of being top well, which is worth noting given they also choked in the play-off final against QPR last May when expected to triumph by most observers.

However, his men responded well with a gutsy 3-2 win at home to in-form Huddersfield on Tuesday night, standing firm in spite of a fair onslaught from the visitors. Striker Chris Martin didn't net against Huddersfield but scored nine times in the eight games before that and is in red-hot form - he's joint top-scorer in the division with Ipswich's Daryl Murphy.

The Rams have only failed to find the net once in the last 17 games and have attacking threats from a number of different sources. Midfielder Craig Bryson should be fit after missing the midweek win but striker Jamie Ward won't be back until after the international break.

Wolves
Wanderers were held to dull goalless draw last Saturday at home to Birmingham which did us a nice favour, having recommended laying them at 1.564/7. As predicted the visitors were resolute and determined defensively and Kenny Jackett's men lacked the guile or creativity to break them down. They looked at their best when getting the ball wide, in particular to James Henry but could have no complaints about the result.

Wolves have scored fewer goals than any of the other sides in the top eight and scoring enough to keep in touch with the leading pack will probably be the challenge they face over the next couple of months.

Having enjoyed a good run with relatively few injuries during their promotion campaign last season, they have been hit by the absence of some key players this time round with Nouha Dicko currently out and Bakary Sako not yet 100% fit after a hamstring problem.

Match Odds
The Rams have a decent home record with only that defeat at the hands of Wigan blotting their copybook. Having shown admirable spirit and character on Tuesday night to overcome potentially tricky opponents in Huddersfield, this is an opportunity for them to press on and go back top of the table with both Bournemouth and Middlesbrough not kicking off until 3pm.

Wolves have made an impressive start to life back in the second tier but having been hit by a few injuries to key players, the decision to stick largely with last season's squad rather than invest in recruits over the summer is now starting to look questionable.

They look a little lightweight in front of goal in comparison to their opponents here who have threats from various different positions. At the 2.0811/10 available, the home side look a good bet to take the three points and reclaim top spot.

Half Time/Full Time
Jackett's sides are always well-organised and pretty solid at the back. With the injury problems he currently has in attack he'll be doubly keen that the visitors set themselves up as difficult to break down defensively. And I've mentioned more than once the propensity for slow starts in these early kick-offs with the players seemingly taking some time to wake up.

It may take Derby a while to make the breakthrough but they have plenty of firepower as well as options on the bench. Simon Dawkins came on and scored the third against Huddersfield to add to his brace at Fulham the week before, while Leon Best's pace offers another option. 

With both sides playing their third game in a week that makes a bet on Draw/Derby in the Half Time/Full Time market a tempting prospect at 5.39/2.

Recommended Bets
Back Derby to win at 2.0811/10
*Best Bet
Back Draw/Derby in the Half Time/Full Time market at 5.39/2

2014/15 P/L

Staked: 51 pts
Returned: 52.68 pts
P/L: + 1.68 pts

*2pts best bet if stated
1pt other recommended bets