Tuesday sees another round of Capital One Cup football as Charlton travel to Derby County in what will be the second time the two teams have faced in each other in the space of a week.
Despite the Addicks’ brilliant 3-2 victory against the Rams last week, Tuesday will be a totally different occasion, but should be an interesting contest nonetheless.
The OppositionAfter the defeat to Charlton, Derby responded in fine fashion by thrashing Fulham 5-1 at the weekend thanks to a brace from Chris Martin as well as goals from Jamie Ward, Craig Bryson and Simon Dawkins.
The Rams beat Carlisle 2-0 in the last round of the cup, but despite facing League Two opposition, Steve McClaren’s side didn’t rotate their squad too much in that fixture.
If McClaren is to rotate more on Tuesday night, then the likes of Leon Best, Lee Naylor and Real Madrid loanee Omar Mascarell could feature.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:Derby: Derby’s player to watch in midweek is striker/winger Jamie Ward. If the ex-Sheffield United attacker does start, then he’ll certainly be one of Derby’s key men if they want to progress into the next round. He has been in great form for the Rams, scoring three goals in his last two games.
His two goals against us last week can be see here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8qtgJipt2oCharlton:The Addicks’ player to watch this Tuesday is Joe Gomez. The Academy graduate has looked superb so far this season in the games that he has featured. The 17-year-old is likely to start at right-back and if he can show another impressive performance then he’ll certainly be in Bob Peeters’ thoughts ahead of the trip to Brighton on Saturday.
The Line –Up: It’s likely that Peeters will opt for some more rotation changes in midweek, to keep his players fresh for Brighton next weekend.
In goal, Nick Pope should continue following a great display at Huddersfield although Stephen Henderson may be fit enough for a place on the bench.
In defence, the back-four that started against Colchester two weeks ago may be selected again. That back four was: Gomez, Morrison, Bikey and Fox.
In midfield, Callum Harriott should be given an opportunity on the left flank, Lawrie Wilson is likely to occupy the right while Yoni Buyens and Jordan Cousins will most likely be in the centre of midfield.
Upfront, one of Igor Vetokele or George Tucudean will lead the line with Franck Moussa most probably playing just behind. However, Simon Church will also be pushing for his first competitive start of the season.
The Prediction:Derby will want revenge for the defeat last week and unfortunately, I can see them serving it in a cold, dark iPro Stadium.
1-0 Derby.
Comments
Derby have made the most expensive ticket at £7, so will be disappointing if they do not get 10k
How many we lose by will depend on how Derby view the fixture.
3 - 0
Gomez
Morrison
Bikey
Fox
Wilson
Cousins
Moussa
Harriott
Church
Tucudean
2-0 defeat
Completely opposite now. Couldn't give a monkeys about this. Send the U21s and make sure everyone else is ready for Brighton.
Be great to have a good Cup run and even better to progress to the third round while putting down a marker for the rest of the season.
A key indicator of intent will be the centre backs. We'll know Peeters is serious if he plays Ben Haim and Bikey-Amougou. Gomez will play and perhaps Fox too, but I suspect that before long they'll be pushing hard to start regularly anyway.
Resting Jackson would make sense while creating the opportunity to try Cousins alongside Buyens. Add Gudmundsson and Vetokele and we'll be more or less at full strength.
Derby start clear favourites, but it's important we make a game of it and I'm sure that's what Peeters will aim to do.
Gomez
Morrison
Bikey
Fox
Wilson
Jackson
Buyens
Harriott
Moussa
Tucadean
Gomez
Morrison
Ben Haim
Fox
Wilson
Cousins
Buyens
Harriotts
Moussa
Tuchadean.
Subs Pope, Wiggins, Jackson. Church, Vetokele, Bikey, Gudmundsson.