Derby vs Coventry Prediction: Big price on goalscoring midfielder

We’ve got a massive game at both ends of the table in the Championship on Tuesday night as in-form Coventry City travel to take on John Eustace’s Derby County (Sky Sports+, 19:45). Eustace got his first win as Derby boss against former club Blackburn Rovers at the weekend, a result that took the Rams off the bottom of the table and within four points of safety. 

Now they host the Sky Blues, who have won nine of their last 10 league games - rocketing them into the top six. Below you can find my Derby vs Coventry predictions featuring team news and betting tips. 

Football Odds

Team News

Derby have a whole host of injuries right now, and things were made worse at the weekend when Sondre Langas had to come off against Blackburn. Boss Eustace said: "He will be touch and go for tomorrow. We have to remember that when we signed him that he arrived after finishing his season.”

Langas now joins nine other Derby players who are on the treatment table ahead of this one. The Rams picked up four injuries last week with Lars-Jorgen Salvesen (knee), Ryan Nyambe, Kemar Roofe, and Ben Osborn (all hamstring) being ruled out. 

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (knee) is close to a return while David Ozoh (thigh), Curtis Nelson (knee), Dajaune Brown (hamstring) and Corey Blackett-Taylor (hamstring) are the long-term absentees. 

Coventry are in a better position than Derby in terms of injuries, but they will be sweating on the fitness of Milan van Ewijk and Ephron Mason-Clark. Two key players, they both had to come off against Stoke at the weekend, but they only appear to have suffered minor issues and should be back in the squad here. 

With no other natural senior right-back in the squad, Van Ewijk in particular is likely to start if fit, while Haji Wright may replace EMC if he isn’t ready to start. Jack Rudoni remains sidelined with his dislocated shoulder but should return following the international break, but captain Ben Sheaf could be fit to start in midfield after three substitute appearances. 

Victor Torp scored twice on his return from a calf problem and should start again, while Sheaf’s return to midfield could mean Josh Eccles shifts to right-back if Van Ewijk is not fit. Jay Dasilva and Jake Bidwell will battle it out again at left-back, with Frank Lampard flicking between the duo during his tenure so far. 

Derby vs Coventry Odds

Derby are priced at 12/5 to win this game having won seven of their 18 home games so far this term. It has been their dreadful away record that has cost them this season so they may back themselves to get another three points at Pride Park. Coventry are priced at 5/4 to take another win, giving them an implied win probability of 44% while a draw can be backed at 11/5. 

Over 2.5 goals can be backed at 11/8 having come in during 56% of Cov’s matches so far, while BTTS is 1/1. Ellis Simms has been priced up as the favourite to open the scoring at odds of 6/1, and he has six goals to his name so far this campaign. 

Coventry to win @ 5/4

Coventry have won nine of their last 10 games, and each of their last five. All five of those wins, since they lost to Leeds have come by one goal, with Bobby Thomas striking in injury-time to down Stoke last time out. Mark Robins’ return was a difficult fixture to navigate and it looked like they had thrown away all three points in the second half, but it could have been a far more comfortable afternoon had the referee awarded a clear penalty to the home side when they were 2-0 up. 

At the moment, they are just finding a way to win despite not playing at their best and at this stage of the season, that is all that matters. Lampard has these players in the palm of his hand, and the confidence is now sky high so they should be able to get the job done here. I like Eustace a lot, but his hand is weakened by that plague of injuries. Away win. Just. 

Victor Torp to score anytime @ 9/2

Torp found the net twice on Saturday, his first coming from a long throw into the box and his second a lovely touch and finish from close range. He performed well, but it is Lampard’s system that leads me to believe he provides good value once again against Derby. The former England man loves to get his midfielders into the box, with Jack Rudoni flourishing there this season. 

Now Torp has replaced the injured Rudoni, he is fulfilling the same role, making those late Lampard-esque runs into the box. Now without a prolific number nine, Coventry have shared the goals around this season, and I think Torp is a great pick here given he is in form and also has a wonderful free-kick in his locker. He scored a brace against Watford earlier in the campaign including one long-range free-kick, and I think he will strike again v Derby.

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