Derby v Charlton Betting Tips: Both sides to oblige at Pride Park

Both Derby and Charlton are nervously looking over their shoulders as we turn towards 2020 but their meeting at Pride Park on Monday night should at least entertain, according to Mark O'Haire...

Derby v Charlton
Monday December 30, 19:45
Sky Sports

Derby underwhelm again

Martyn Waghorn's 93rd-minute goal rescued Derby a draw at Wigan on Boxing Day as the Rams scored their first goal in seven Championship away games. County had been second-best for large swathes of the DW Stadium showdown and were deservedly behind 10 minutes from time, only for Waghorn's powerful strike to earn a share of the spoils.

The game - between the Championship's two lowest scorers - had look destined for a stalemate as both sides lacked quality in the final third, despite plenty of endeavour. Wigan had hit the woodwork, whilst Curtis Davies miscued a header when unmarked and well placed. Phillip Cocu's team largely underwhelmed as they consolidated in 17th place.

Despite another uninspiring performance, Cocu claimed, "We were better on the ball, we used the space better, and we created chances on goal. If we'd have managed to score the first goal, it would have given us the boost we needed. In the end I think a draw was a fair result, and it's an important result after so many recent defeats." Scott Malone is available.

Charlton record overdue victory

Macaulay Bonne scored twice before setting up Alfie Doughty's late winner as Charlton beat Bristol City 3-2 to claim their first victory in 12 games on Boxing Day. Bonne's first goal gave the home side the lead just before the break, but the Robins hit back with two goals - only for Bonne to restore parity and Doughty to secure the points with a scrambled winner.

The decisive strike came eight minutes from time and was Doughty's first career goal. The left winger, who turned 20 just five days prior to The Valley showdown, converted a low cross from Bonne at the second attempt as Athletic ended their wait for a Championship victory that began back in October. The triumph was only Charlton's second since August.

Post-match boss Lee Bowyer admitted his side may not have deserved top honours, saying, "There have been games where we've deserved the three points and they've not come our way. Today, did we deserve the three points? I thought it was quite an even game." Athletic are without Jonathan Leko here, whilst Lyle Taylor and Conor Gallagher are major doubts.

Rams awkward odds-on favourites

Derby are unbeaten in their last seven home league matches with Charlton (W4-D3-L0) dating back to a 2-0 reverse in February 1999. However, the Rams were comfortably dispatched 3-0 when locking horns with the Addicks in October.

Derby 1.87 are winless in each of their last seven Championship outings (W0-D3-L4) with the Rams now entrenched in the Championship's bottom-half. County have failed to triumph in their three most recent Pride Park outings (W0-D2-L1), although Phillip Cocu's charges can still call upon a solid W5-D5-L2 return on home soil this season.

Newly-promoted Charlton 5.00 began life back in the second-tier superbly, securing 14 points from a possible 18 (W4-D2-L0). But the Addicks have slowly regressed as injuries and selection woes have taken hold; Athletic have returned W3-D5-L10 since September's international break, conceding at least two goals in 12 of those 18 league outings.

Back both sides to obglie

Derby have been one of the division's dourest teams to follow in 2019/20. Since Phillip Cocu arrived at the club, the Rams' league matches have averaged just 2.25 goals, a figure that dips sharply to only 1.92 goals per-game at Pride Park. A paltry 2/12 (17%) home encounters have crossed the Over 2.5 Goals barrier, although six fixtures have seen both sides score.

In contrast, Charlton's contests have proven enjoyable affairs, especially in recent months. The Addicks' away days are averaging 3.00 goals per-game with 8/11 (73%) breaking the Over 2.5 Goals barrier and 8/11 (73%) also collecting for Both Teams To Score 1.80 backers. Eleven of Athletic's past 15 across all venues have also paid out for BTTS hunters.