Derby v Nottingham Forest: McClaren’s men set to ram home misery

It’s the same old story time and time again for Stuart Pearce – get appointed to a top job despite lacking any kind of proven track record for success as a manager, enjoy something of a honeymoon period and then promptly implode.

From Manchester City to the England under-21 role, it’s a scenario that’s played out a few times already for the man once affectionately known as ‘Psycho’ and, in truth, you would have to be crazy to back anything other than a Derby win this Saturday.

Second in the Championship and only behind Bournemouth on goal difference, Steve McClaren’s team are the 8/11 favourites for victory with Forest a distant 4/1 to triumph while a draw is 5/2.

But for those really looking to cash in on the impending doom that surrounds the away side, read on for three even better tips.

Chris Martin to score and Derby to win @ 13/8

The former Norwich man made the difference for the Rams last weekend with an opportunistic goal against promotion rivals Ipswich Town that made it four in five for the 26-year-old and with six of Martin’s last seven coming in wins for Derby this looks a tempting tip to back.

Derby (-1) to beat Nottingham Forest @ 9/5

McClaren’s boys romped to a 5-0 victory over Forest the last time the two local rivals met at Pride Park and while a similar outcome looks unlikely a heavy defeat could follow with the Reds losing by two or more in each of their last three Championship games going into this encounter.

Derby to keep a clean sheet @ 13/10

Lee Grant is having a great time in goal for Derby at present, having gone some 271 minutes in the Championship without conceding a goal and, when you include the Rams’ 1-0 FA Cup win over Southport, McClaren’s team have actually gone four games without conceding a goal.

Forest, by contrast, cannot buy a goal for love nor money, having netted just once in their last four and with £5m summer signing Britt Assombalonga facing a race to get fit, this could yet be the game that clinches Pearce’s surely imminent departure.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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