The final English league match of the decade takes place on Monday night when the Championship pair of Derby County and Charlton Athletic meet in what is a big match for both sides as they look to set up some confidence to take into 2020 with them.
These two are in the bottom third of the Championship table and don’t need to slump too much to become embroiled in a relegation battle, so a win for either of them would ease those fears starting the New Year.
Derby County
Readers of the previews on this site will know I’m no fan of this Derby County side and I’ve had a hunch all season long that they could be the big name to slip away. They go into this match having done nothing but further convince me that could be the case having gone seven matches without a win. I don’t know whether they are a club waiting for Wayne Rooney to be available but they are certainly going to need a big impact from him when he does lace up his boots again.
He won’t have to do a whole lot to boost Derby’s goal output. In those seven matches they have scored just three goals, which is pretty extraordinary given the talent they have in attacking areas. This run started with a defeat to Fulham but they haven’t really played anyone of note since then so this is a side in a right slump and in desperate need of a result to get themselves out of it if they are going to stay safe.
Charlton Athletic
The Addicks started life back in the second tier in wonderful style and for much of the first three months of the campaign they were treading the same waters of the top six but a run of 11 matches without a win saw them drop like a stone. They stopped that rot with a win over Bristol City on Boxing Day but need to build on that because they are only seven points above the drop now and falling fast.
Injuries have been a feature of Charlton’s season but they are slowly beginning to get players back, so you would think they would be able to find some form again, although there is a chance they are being found out the longer the campaign has gone on. In their last three matches both sides have scored twice so while the Addicks are having no problems finding the back of the net, keeping goals out is becoming a big issue.
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Team News
Derby are going to be without attacker Tom Lawrence who is suspended after picking up 10 yellow cards already this term. The Rams could have Matt Clarke and Tom Huddlestone back from injury for the clash.
Charlton are going to be without loan striker Jonathan Leko as he has been ruled out for the season. Conor Gallagher faces a fitness test to feature but the likes of Josh Cullen, Beram Kayal and Erhun Oztumer are all out injured.
Betting
There is nothing in me at all that is even remotely tempted to take Derby County at odds on here. That doesn’t feel like a value play at all. I’m more tempted to back Charlton on the handicaps but one win in 12 doesn’t exactly inspire confidence there either so I am going to look at one of the other markets for a bet on the game.
That comes in the form of the both teams to score market where I think both sides can find the back of the net. Derby County haven’t done much of this in recent times in fairness but Charlton haven’t kept a clean sheet in some 12 matches now. With Lyle Taylor and Macauley Bonne in decent form they look a lot better in the opposing 18 yard box than their own. If Derby can’t score here they have big problems. Both teams to score looks the way forward to me.
Tips
WON – Back Both teams to score for a 5/10 stake at 1.80 with Boylesports
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