Competition: Championship
Market: Carlton Morris over 0.5 shots on target
Odds: 4/7 @ BetUS
Facing what is a must-win Championship showdown this weekend, Derby will welcome Oxford to Pride Park on Saturday lunchtime.
Starting with the hosts, suffering a second-half collapse away at a high-flying Southampton last weekend, Derby find their play-off dreams now hanging by a thread. Eventually falling to a 2-1 defeat at St. Mary’s, John Eustace’s side face what is a must-win showdown when they return to Pride Park here. Opening Saturday’s fixtures sat five points adrift of the play-off places and with just a quartet of Championship fixtures remaining, the Rams have a tremendous amount of pressure on their shoulders. Although Derby might have gained an unwanted reputation for their glaring struggles on the road, Eustace’s side have enjoyed a remarkable run in front of their own supporters. Last seen at Pride Park securing a deserved 2-0 victory against Stoke, Saturday’s hosts have astonishingly won all of their previous five consecutive Championship showdowns on home soil by an aggregate score of 10-2. Likewise, the former Blackburn boss has seen his play-off outsiders suffer just a single Championship defeat in front of their own fans since way back on January 4th.
As for the visitors, opening the New Year in the midst of a nightmare run, Oxford found themselves almost universally regarded as one of the standout relegation contenders. However, despite travelling to Pride Park this weekend still sat in the drop zone, Matt Bloomfield’s side have breathed life back into their charge for Championship safety. Last seen securing a gritty 2-0 victory at home against Watford, the Yellows are enjoying a recent turn in fortunes. Snatching points off both Hull and Portsmouth on their return from March’s international break, Oxford have gained a reputation for their rugged approach. In fact, despite heading into March’s fortnight interval with a 2-0 loss against promotion chasers Southampton, Saturday’s guests are unbeaten in each of their other seven Championship appearances. Securing three consecutive second-tier wins on either side of opening March, Bloomfield’s resurgent squad will travel to Derbyshire confident of asking some serious questions as they hope to skyrocket their way out of the relegation zone.
Bet: Carlton Morris over 0.5 shots on target against Oxford United 4/7 for Saturday’s Championship battle @ BetUS
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