Derby County’s quest to return to winning ways under manager, Phillip Cocu, continued on Boxing Day when they drew 1-1 away from home at bottom club, Wigan Athletic, which extended Derby’s sequence of results without a win in the Championship to 7 matches under the Dutch manager.
Another poor result at home to Charlton Athletic on Monday evening could well seal Cocu’s fate as The Rams have slowly but steadily trended downwards on the Championship ladder and they currently find themselves in a disappointing 18th place in the table.
This is a far cry from last season’s heroics under former manager, Frank Lampard, which saw The Rams edged out in the play-offs, and events on and off the field have continued to hurt Derby this season as they look to return to their former glories.
Derby have actually lost just twice this season at Pride Park though and have won 5 and drawn 5 as well, but recent results would need a very brave man to back the hosts for the straight win here.
After a miserable sequence of results which saw Charlton Athletic winless from 11 matches overall in the Championship, The Addicks pulled an absolute rabbit from the proverbial hat on Boxing Day when they registered a much-needed 3-2 win against Bristol City at The Valley.
7 defeats within this poor 11-match spell of results had resulted in Lee Bowyer’s side also dropping steadily down the Championship table and they seemingly looked destined to be dragged down into the relegation battle below them towards the foot of the table unless they could make a dramatic change.
The visitors will now fancy their chances of grabbing another three points at Derby County on Monday evening against a side that look ready for the taking, but without an away win from their last 8 trips, Charlton also look far from guaranteed of all three points here.
Instead, 8 of Charlton Athletic’s 11 away matches have resulted with both teams scoring and with Derby and Charlton occupying 18th and 17th place respectively on the Championship ladder, the goals market looks the safest option.
The edge may be with Derby County as they’re unbeaten in their last 8 meetings at home against Charlton but current form of both sides here dictates both to score looks the best option in this clash.