On Tuesday, from 19:45 pm, Derby County and Northampton meet in a replay of the English Cup, which will establish the qualified team in the best of the competition finals. In the first match, Northampton resisted at home for a draw, but the return match will be much harder.
Phillip Cocu’s team played well on the move, but did not take too many risks, in a match in which the hosts were rather concerned about defending the draw. Even though he came on the field with a number of reserve players, Derby also appealed to the starters after the break, but failed to break through Northampton’s defensive barrage. Finally, the black and white shot 9 times at the gate, but none of the executions were square! The hosts had two sutures on the gate, in an annost game, in which no one took risks.
We are waiting for a much more lively match on the field of Derby, the pretentious team in the Championship, who are dueling with a fourth league team. The difference in value between the two should be quite easy, especially since the Derby is in good shape in the last weather. Except for the unexpected failure from Luton (2-3), I saw good results with Middlesbrough (2-2), Hull City (1-0) and Stoke City (4-0), the latter being a benchmark match for Cocu. His team scored through Waghorn (’21), Martin (’24), Rooney (’67) and Bogle (’74), after a consistent, tactically intelligent game. At the same time, the morale is solid in the camp of the black and white.
On the other hand, Northampton comes after the victories in the championship against Morecambe (4-1), Schunthorpe (3-0) and Macclesfield (1-0), but the difference in size between the two clubs remains considerable. Under normal conditions, Derby County should not have any qualms about qualifying, especially if the team’s Northern England owners are entering the field.
PREDICTION: Derby to win @ 1,42
