Derby County v Burnley
Sunday 21st September – Kickoff: 1945hrs
Football – England – Championship
Big things were expected of both these clubs before the Championship kicked off last month, with Derby being many people’s favourites thanks to narrow misses over the last couple of seasons, whilst Burnley managed to keep hold of the majority of the squad who were relegated from the Premier League, last season. A win for the the visitors would see them go level on pints with Middlesborough in second place, whilst a Derby victory would lift them into the top six for the fire time in this campaign.
Former assistant to Carlo Ancelotti at PSG, Chelsea and Real Madrid, Paul Clement, took over from Steve McClaren in the summer and in the process entered into his first managerial role. Widely regarded as a world class coach, Clement was well aware of how this job would prove to be a completely challenge. Seven games into the season and it has certainly been a reality check for anybody who thought the Rams would steamroll their way through this league. Although Derby have only been defeated once, they have only won two games. Both of those victories have come since returning for the international break earlier this month, away to Preston North End and Reading, respectively. Clement and his players will take great confidence from those successes and hope they provide a platform to build upon as they look to challenge for automatic promotion.
It is never easy trying to get off to a good start in this league following relegation, but Burnley have certainly made a good fist of it. Sean Dyce’s men surprised many two seasons ago when winning promotion alongside Leicester and QPR, but despite a valiant effort, fell short of what was required to stay in the top division. Due to how well-run the club have been, however, they have been able to invest in the squad and retain the bulk of their squad. Both of those factors have resulted in them winning four of their first seven games. The Clarets actually failed to win any of their first three league games which means they will be looking for their fifth straight win in the Championship on Monday night. The trip to Derby will arguably be their biggest test to date, despite being three points better off at this stage, such is the expectation surrounding their hosts.
One of the the biggest challenges for Clement when taking over the manager’s job at Derby County was finding the consistency required to finish in the top two of this league. Despite widely being considered to be one of the top teams in last season’s Championship, McClaren’s team were unable to achieve the consistency in the second half of the campaign. That is illustrated by the fact their longest winning run was three games, and that came back in January. A win on Monday would mean they equal that for the first time in eight months, which in itself would be an achievement.
The biggest signing for Burnley in the last transfer window was undoubtedly their £10m purchase of Andre Gray from Brentford. It was a transfer which you would have expected them to make 12 months ago so it came as somewhat of a surprise to see them splash part with that sort of money following their relegation. Gray has already notched his first goal for his new club – added to the two he got with his former club – on the back of the 17 he got last term. The pace he has mean he is a real threat for opposition defenders, especially away from home, and although he never scored when playing at Derby last season, he missed a plethora of chances which would have sealed the game for Brentford before the match eventually finished 1-1.
Derby v Burnley Betting Tips
I expect both of these clubs to finish in the top eight, at the very least, come the end of the season, so Monday’s clash should be a high-quality championship encounter. Both are also coming into this in good form so will be full of confidence. Unlike in seasons gone by, Derby are not as free-flowing under Clement, evidenced scoring seven and conceding six in the early part of the season. That being said, however, five of their last six league games have all seen both teams scoring. Five of Burnley’s seven league games have also seem both teams finding the back of the net, and with the threat they will pose on the counter with the pace of Gray, I would be very surprised if Derby keep a clean sheet. As the visitors have yet to keep a clean sheet in any of their first three league games, I can see both teams to score occurring once again.
Both teams to score 17/20 @ Betvictor
