- Aug. 19th 2014 -
Charlton Athletic vs. Derby County
From a Derbyshire Point of View, today's story seems to be the three consecutive Clean Sheets that the Rams have somehow managed to pull out from somewhere, as of late..
Only once before have a Derby team not conceded in their first three games of a season. The last time was 41 years ago, at the start of the 1973-74 season when the Rams beat Chelsea and Manchester City 1-0 before drawing 0-0 away vs. Birmingham City. Derby lost 2-0 to Liverpool at Anfield in their fourth fixture in 1973-74 and so a fourth consecutive clean sheet from the start of the campaign for Steve McClaren’s side tonight would be a first in the club’s 130-year history.
The betting line for a Derby County FC 'Clean Sheet' in tonight's away match is @ abouts: +165.
Strictly informational of course !
Moving on, the Rams have scored 2 goals in their latest 2 away matches; or rather: 2 goals in 1 match away vs. Carlisle in the 'Capital One Cup'. Carlisle resides in the English League Two and besides from the 0-2 loss vs. Derby, Carlisle have also lost their two opening matches in League Two.
This, I think, provides a valuable perspective on the actual form of the Derby FC squad when you also add that they have only scored 1 goal in two league games so far. And that, BTW, was @ home vs. Up Comers from Rotherham.
There have been some changes made on the Derby team card for this season and lately both Centre Forward Leon Best (former Blackburn Rovers) and Midfielder Omar Mascarell (from Real Madrid Castilla) have entered the squad. Both played around 30 minutes in the latest match away vs. Sheffield Utd. It ended 0-0.
Derby have also signed Attacking Midfielder Alban Bunjaku, but up until now I can't seem to gather any news on when he might appear for the Rams. This summer, He shifted to Derby on a free transfer from Sevilla Atlético; before Sevilla, he was part of the Arsenal Youth Programme. He is still only 20 years old. Anyone got any news on the lad?
Either way, I think they are still getting adjusted in Derby FC and that both Charlton and the observant bettor might be able to take advantage of that tonight..
From a Charlton Point of View, things are not looking less bright when you look at the table as well as the first three overall results this season.. 2 wins and a draw. The Addicks have scored 7 goals in their first 3 matches, conceding only 2. They have scored 6 goals @ home in the two latest matches, conceding only 1. That was in last rounds game vs. Wigan. Charlton won 2-1 with a late goal in the added time. In the Capital One Cup, they kept a Clean Sheet vs. Colchester, winning the match 4-0.
But Colchester is not to be compared with Derby as an opponent and with Charlton only being able to keep 1 Clean Sheet in their first three matches, I'm leaning 'BTTS' @ -125. And when you consider the goalkeeper-situation in Charlton, the BTTS becomes even more interesting.
It is of some concern to the Charlton establishment, that newly arrived Goalkeeper, Stephen Henderson, left the pitch injured in the 67th minute of the Wigan match. This leaves the spot open for 22-year-old substitute goalie Nick Pope who went on, substituting Henderson in Saturday's match, and he finished it with sort of a Clean Sheet. He is set to start vs. Derby tonight and with a record of 16 clean sheets, while on loan at York City last season, he seems a promising young man.
Whether he will keep the sheets clean tonight is another question though..
1. 'BTTS' @ -125 x 1.25 u.
2. Charlton 'DNB' @ +162 x 0.75 u.
G L .