5th February 2012

Derby vs Notts Forest Betting: Forest can claim an emotional win in East Midlands derby

The Championship weekend finishes at Pride Park where Derby host their bitter local rivals Nottingham Forest in an East Midlands derby. Whenever these two sides meet thoughts invariably turn to former manager of both sides Brian Clough and it is fitting that his son Nigel manages Derby in this match like his father used to back in the 70’s. Forest are struggling big time coming into this match and Steve Cotterill will hope his side can get back to winning ways here.

Derby sit in mid table in the Championship despite a really strong start to the season. A run of four wins and a draw from their last six matches have moved them into the top half and a win here could see them move level on points with Burnley in the place above them. Former Forest striker Nathan Tyson has been impressive in recent matches and will look to cause his old club havoc.

Forest have struggled for a while and Steve Cotterill hasn’t yet got them out of their slump. The Forest staff and players will take to the field with the burden of the news that their owner Nigel Doughty died at his home on the eve of this match but there could well be a ‘let’s do it for him’ attitude. Luke Chambers is suspended but loanees Danny Higginbotham and Scott Wootton could well be given starts.

Forest have picked up just 4pts from their last 30 but form goes out of the window in a derby game and it especially goes out of the window when there’s an extra motivation to win like they have as a tribute to their late owner. Derby are nothing special despite a decent run of form recently and if the Forest players can lift their game to a standard we know they can produce then they could steal this in emotional circumstances.

Back Nottm Forest to beat Derby for a 3/10 stake at 3.75 with Ladbrokes

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