Friday 19th January 2018 Kick off 1945hrs Derby County v Bristol City Football – England – Championship With Wolves seemingly well In command of the top spot in the Championship, much of the attention is focussed on who will likely join them in the second of the automatic promotion positions. Two of the teams who are chasing that meet on Friday as Derby County host Bristol City. The hosts currently have a five point advantage over their opponents and are two clear of their nearest challengers Cardiff City. Another win for them this weekend would be a big step towards a return to the Premier League but it will not be easy against one of the most improved outfits in the Championship.
It’s just over a year since Gary Rowett took over Derby County and it’s been an upward trajectory for the most part. The Rams were more concerned with relegation this time last season but they are very much focussed on looking upwards now. Although 10 points behind the league leaders, their current situation has probably surpassed expectations from when they set out at the beginning of the campaign and now it’s all about getting the job done. Derby have not tasted defeat in the league since the end of November and that’s been the key to their rise into second. It would be a stretch to suggest that they are in control of the second automatic promotion spot but if they can maintain the consistency for the remainder of the season then that will be the reality and it would mark as a significant achievement for Rowett, who demonstrated his commitment to the club by signing a new contract following interest from Premier League outfit Stoke. Considering the circumstances of both clubs, it coud prove to be another very shrewd decision by Derby’s manager.
Bristol City have hit the headlines this year for their exploits in the League Cup, namely the famous win over Manchester United just before Christmas. The Robins were close to claiming another excellent cup result last week when running the other Manchester club very close in the first leg of their semi-final, only to succumb to the Premier League leaders in injury time. Although they will be very pleased with their cup run, there has been much more to their season which is why they are perched in the playoff positions after the halfway mark. Bristol City were another team who were in serious bother at one stage last season before a good run of form later on in the campaign seen them survive and finish in 17th spot. There has been no such problems for them this season and like their opponents, a lot of that is down to the manager, Lee Johnson. Son of Gary, he has had an excellent grounding as a coach but is looking to do something his dad never achieved and that is manage in the Premier League. A poor run of late has certainly made automatic promotion a bit more difficult but the fact Bristol City are even in the conversation is testament to the work of Johnson and his players thus far.
Derby County v Bristol City Betting Tip
Games between any of the top six or eight clubs in this division are always bound to be crucial when it comes to these promotion and playoff spots and this one will be no different. The five point gap that separates them is an illustration that there has not been much between them 27 games into the season. Derby will feel a win would cement their position in second spot with the other challengers then having to make up that ground whilst Bristol City will target this game as a way in which they can begin to turn around their form having lost their last five in all competitions, a caveat to that being two of those games have come in cup competitions. Nevertheless, it’s the first time they have lost three consecutive league games in over a year.
One significant improvement in Derby’s form this season compared to last has been their home record. The iPro stadium has traditionally been a fortress for the Rams but they managed to win less than half of their home games. It’s been a different story this time around as they have already won eight of their 13 home matches – just three shy of last season’s total. Rowett will feel there is still improvement on that win return but it’s further illustration of the progression in a short space of time. The visitors have only lost two away games in the league all season, however, and it’s a sign of the organisation and approach to the game when going on the road. Derby will be on the hunt for some revenge as well as the three points after losing heavily to Bristol City back in September. Playing on a Friday night can be an advantage for teams who have a lead to hold and that’s the situation Derby find themselves in, in relation to the automatic promotion spot. Their opponents, Bristol City, are going to be stubborn but it’s a game that Derby can take all three points in.
Derby County 113/100 @ Marathon Bet
