[slick]

Coca-Cola League Championship
20 Jan 13:00 Wolverhampton v Cardiff 1.83 3.25 4.00
20 Jan 15:00 Burnley v Norwich 2.10 3.20 3.20
20 Jan 15:00 Crystal Palace v Hull 1.72 3.40 4.33
20 Jan 15:00 Ipswich v Colchester 2.10 3.20 3.20
20 Jan 15:00 Leeds v West Brom 2.62 3.25 2.40
20 Jan 15:00 Luton v Barnsley 1.90 3.25 3.60
20 Jan 15:00 Preston v Stoke 1.72 3.40 4.33
20 Jan 15:00 QPR v Southampton 2.62 3.25 2.40
20 Jan 15:00 Sheff Wed v Sunderland 2.37 3.20 2.70
20 Jan 15:00 Southend v Derby 2.87 3.30 2.20
20 Jan 17:15 Leicester v Birmingham 3.00 3.20 2.20
22 Jan 19:45 Plymouth v Coventry 1.90 3.25 3.60

Odds Bet365

[bosman]

It’s not too early to make a final decision, but I’m thinking about backing Derby again.
This week they are playing Southend. Their opponent is bottom of the table, but don’t
be fooled by this, they are team in form now, unbeaten in last six games, won yesterday against Barnsley in FA Cup 0-2, beating Cardiff away last week.

But Derby is not Barnsley. They are Championship vice-leader, and winning this one,
they can be on the top, if leader Birmingam loose some points playing against Leicester
away ( it’s not missing impossible for Foxes, to get something for this match, I think).
Derby this season is very good on the road, away record: 8 wins, 2 draws and 4 games lost.
Another factor is a few days rest for the Rams, but this is not so important I think,
English teams a well prepared to play two matches a week.
Derby has no injuries problems till now, but even when some players getting injuries next days, they made some new singings last time, so they have enough quality players.
Important is, the new boys are good ones, according to fans.
I don't expect Derby trashing Southend, they have scoring problems lately, it will be rather narrow win, maybe typical for the Rams 0-1.
It would be nice if Derby young striker Arturo Lupoli, who scored hat-trick against Wrexham in FA Cup, will be in starting line-up ( was not so good against the Owls last week, but I hope, he gets another chance ), so maybe then we will see more goals for Rams.

Waiting for the team news, but I can’t see Southend getting something for this match.

Derby for me. ( Stake depends on team news ).

[bosman]

It’s not too early to make a final decision

Should be It's too early of course.

[keemanan]

GL bosman but once again I cant agree (so far us disagreeing has proved profitable for you ). I had WBA to win at Southend recently and kicked myself when I saw this stat:
Pld W D L F A GD GFA GAA PpG Pts Rank
Record v. Top Half 15 5 4 6 13 22 -9 0.86 1.46 1.26 19 9

A good record against good teams , they play a lot of hussle and take advantage of the underestimation of their opponents. Only Birmingham have tonked them at home this season and as you point out they are 1 loss in 8 territory at the mo .

[bosman]

Cheers Keemanan, I'm anyway on Derby, could be one more time lucky late 1:0, doesn't matter.
Interesting opinion about the Rams:

Michael Johnson feels the current Derby County squad is stronger than the one that reached the Championship play-offs two seasons ago.


Grzegorz Rasiak's goals fired George Burley's team to fourth place in 2004-05 before promotion dreams were shattered by Preston North End, then managed by Billy Davies.

Now Davies is building a new squad at Derby. He has already bolstered the group by bringing in David Jones, Craig Fagan, Gary Teale and Stephen Pearson in the early part of the transfer window.

And more new faces are a possibility. The Rams are being strongly linked with a loan move for West Ham United's Tyrone Mears.

The full-back played under Davies at Preston. Departures from Pride Park are also expected but club captain Johnson is impressed by the strength of the squad.

"This is the strongest squad since I have been at Derby," said the central defender, who signed from Birmingham City in August 2003.

"The gaffer has brought in some good players and there is a good mixture.

"We've got players who have played at the top level, like Matt Oakley, Seth Johnson, Darren Moore and Marc Edworthy, and also the strength and experience of Steve Howard up front and Bob Malcolm in midfield.

"We've also got youth and flair, with the likes of Arturo Lupoli, David Jones (pictured), Giles Barnes and Ryan Smith.

"Now Gary Teale, Stephen Pearson and Craig Fagan have been added to the mix. We are capable of playing some good football and also of digging in and grinding out results.

"Nothing has been achieved yet but nobody can say we don't deserve to be joint top at this stage."

Fourteen players were used in Saturday's victory over Sheffield Wednesday and the strength of the squad at Davies's disposal can be seen by the names who did not figure against the Owls.

Johnson and Malcolm were unused substitutes and skipper Oakley was laid low by a virus, as was Smith.

There was no place for Adam Bolder, Richard Jackson, Paul Peschisolido, Lewin Nyatanga, Lee Grant, Lee Camp and the injured Paul Boertien.

Johnson says one of the squad's strengths is its togetherness.

"The team spirit running through the group from the goalkeepers to the 19th man sat in the stand is phenomenal," he added.

"Such a spirit is crucial and we are buzzing at the moment."

Crewe boss Dario Gradi has knocked down reports linking Derby with Billy Jones, saying he does not expect the player to leave during the window.

The versatile teenager is out of contract at the end of the season but Gradi says he has yet to receive any offers for the youngster, who can play in both full-back positions.

"I've said before that I don't expect anyone to leave during the January transfer window," said Gradi.

"I would like to keep Billy because he has made a difference to our defending."

Strike duo Luke Varney and Nicky Maynard have also been linked with moves away from Gresty Road but Gradi is not looking to sell.

He added: "I am certainly in no rush for the strikers to leave. They are both still learning and people tend to forget that this is their first full season in the team."

[bosman]

Unfortunately I missed the oportunity of playing against Coventry.
This time you can't get tasty 3.2 on the opponent(was last week on Palace), it's only 1.9 on Plymouth at home.
Coventry is in big crisis. Terrible form, not won since last eight, lost yesterday against Legue One team - Bristol City at home.

And the best one (but I don't know if I can trust Daily Mail?):

Mickey Adams has been sacked by Coventry City after his side crashed out of the FA Cup.

Coventry's owner-chairman Geoffrey Robinson and his board made the decision immediately after his side were embarrassed at home by Bristol City last night, losing their FA Cup third round replay 2-0.

The end of the 45-year-old's two-year reign at the Ricoh Arena will be officially announced later today.

It is understood that Adams met with City officials earlier this morning to negotiate a compensation package.

Coventry have suffered a dismal run of form in recent months and sit in 16th place of the Championship, hovering just eight points off the relegation zone. They have earned just one point from their last six league games.

Adams is the ninth manager in the Championship to be sacked this season.

After goals from Scott Murray and Enoch Showunmi put Bristol City through, Coventry's managing director Paul Flether said: "Mickey Adams is an absolutely lovey guy but it just isn't working for him at present.

"He is not getting results and that is what he is paid to do. We are all answerable at the end of the day."

Iain Dowie is a front-runner to take over, along with Bryan Robson, Mark McGhee and Nigel Worthington.

[keemanan]

I'd love to bet on Wolves there but will resist , wouldnt argue against them though , last night will have been a huge boost for them.

I may have a piece of Burnley , ok only 1 win in 11 , no goals in 4 league games they are missing Andy Gray an awful lot , cue Adi Akimbiyi , sold to Sheff Utd towards the end of last term he's come back and had an immediate affect , they grabbed 2 v reading in the cup and will be hoping to put their dismal run behind them here . Norwich have a soft underbelly , no leadership , full of confidence players. Norwich have only won twice on the road , at WBA and Birmingham , total underdogs at the time . They aint here and I think are vulnerable , 3-1 at home to Plymouth was a bad beat. I dont think that this team is anything like the one that Grant would like to field , it's still basically Worthingtons team.

Palace should be taken to beat Hull , Hull are doing ok but Palace are on a great run and cant be opposed , a draw wouldnt suprise me but at 1.72 it's worth the wager IMO.

Ipswich v Colchester is a derby and best left

WBA at 2.4 are tempting , they'll have a big following there and Leeds could be on the verge of turning nasty . They won at home to Coventry but that's nowt to shout about .
OK WBA have won only 2 away this term but they did beat Leeds well in the cup last week 3-1

Luton v Barnsley , should be a nice home win but 1.9 has me cold

Preston v Stoke , not for me as any result is possible

QPR V Soton , ok it appears like I'm losing interest the further down I go but I dont see me getting involved in
this one either , neither is playing really badly , qpr 2 wins in 2 at home , I've lost money on Soton away all season, not this time

Sunderland I could be on , Sheff looked tired last night , add drained to that and I think they are like a beetle on it's back.More later

Southend v Derby I've touched on with Bosman , who incedently gave a good run through last week.

Leicester v Brum , I'm typing this fast because my big bet is up next , big game for Brum tonight otherwise I'd be on them here , leicester struggling of late, they need the takeover finished to move forward.

Plymouth will beat Coventry and Admas will be sacked , simple as , 1.9 is huge , the pressure is just about maximum for the blues here. A niggle is that I predicted them to win this division , and also I forsaw Bruce going the same way . Bruce won his vital game but he had a good team. I dont see Admas pulling this one out of the fire. A bad beat last night , they even lost to Leeds , were 4-1 down at half time last week.
I'm on already

[ONEDUNME]

Originally Posted by keemanan

GL bosman but once again I cant agree (so far us disagreeing has proved profitable for you ). I had WBA to win at Southend recently and kicked myself when I saw this stat:
Pld W D L F A GD GFA GAA PpG Pts Rank
Record v. Top Half 15 5 4 6 13 22 -9 0.86 1.46 1.26 19 9

.

That would explain why Derby are over evens then. I won't be backing them but I must admit that I expected them to be 10/11 max given their recent form and the two's relative positions in the league table.

[keemanan]

You been to see them ODM , be nice for your insight , what's the word on last weeks narrow win?

[bosman]

Keemanan, glad to see, that you are also on Plymouth.

Luton was on my shortlist, but their record against Barnsley isn't impressive.

League:

Luton wins 20 draws 7 Barnsley wins 24

Last five Luton home games against Barnsley:

Luton 1-3 Barnsley 30.09.2006
Luton 0-1 Barnsley 20.12.2003
Luton 2-3 Barnsley 24.08.2002
Luton 1-0 Barnsley 10.11.1998
Luton 1-3 Barnsley 27.04.1996

[keemanan]

Does look like a bit of a bogey team situation bosman but with 2 goals in 7 games they'll be coming to Luton in no form whatsoever. Luton ok have no wins in 4 but their opponents have been Colchester away , Brum , WBA and Cardiff . Luton beat Barnsley 2-1 at Oakwell too so I'm willing to take on the bogey factor

[ONEDUNME]

Originally Posted by keemanan

You been to see them ODM , be nice for your insight , what's the word on last weeks narrow win?

Saw them the week before against Plymouth and, as I've been saying all season, they were fuckin shit. There's a chance that the new (and new-ish) guys will all click and they'll kick on from here but I wouldn't want anyone to get carried away with the idea that they are actually any good.

Cracking free kick in the dying seconds to win last week's game but to be fair, there were chances at either end in the first half (which pissed me off as I was on the overs) and they probably deserved to win that one for a change.

Southend's record as you've outlined is enough to put me off Derby altogether. I would have laid them but the price is a bit higher than I'd have liked.

Contradicting myself a bit there but I'm saying don't fuckin back them. They must be due to be on Sky soon so you can judge for yourself just how average they really are and how their recent form flatters them.

[bosman]

I'm still on Luton, everything speaks for home win, but when I saw the statistic, I'm going maybe to reduce the stake to only 1 pts.

I like the call on Burnley, especially after reading this:

Norwich expect to learn the extent of Robert Earnshaw's injury in the next 48 hours amid fears he could miss the rest of the season.
The 25-year-old striker went to see a specialist on Tuesday to assess the seriousness of the groin injury that he picked up in training last week.
According to reports in Wales, Canaries fans could be faced with the shock news that Earnshaw will not play again this season. Manager Peter Grant expects to discover the extent of the injury later this week.

Grant explained: "We are still waiting on confirmation from a specialist as to the exact nature and extent of Robert's injury. We hope to have that confirmation within the next 48 hours."

The Norwich boss is hoping the Welsh striker will be out for just a couple of weeks as he knows that losing Earnshaw for the rest of the campaign would be a massive blow to his side.

The Championship's leading goalscorer has scored 17 of Norwich's 35 league goals this season and, with Norwich lying just five places above the bottom three, they could be sucked into a relegation battle.

[keemanan]

cheers ODM . Only Birmingham stand out this year really as being ok . I'm suprised Derby are right up there myself but it seems Davies is a pretty good organiser. You are the best at putting away the bottom teams which is relevant here and also the comeback kings of the division.

I like Burnley more now Bosman , they will be relying on Dion Dublin I guess to spearhead them and he isn't getting any younger or faster

[keemanan]

Plymouth bet is now off

Coventry call time on Adams' reign
Coventry have parted company with manager Micky Adams following a board meeting at the Ricoh Arena on Wednesday morning.

Jesus , couldn't they wait till we'd cashed in!