English Other
2011-08-09 - Nottingham Forest vs Notts County
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : Carling Cup
Tuesday 9 August 2011 - Kickoff 7:45pm
Nottingham Forest
The Steve McClaren era at the City Ground started with a bit of a damp squib as Nottingham Forest laboured to a 0-0 draw with relegation favourites Barnsley. Many fans and pundits have predicted Forest to be up at the business end of the table come May, but they will hope for a vast improvement on the opening day game.
It is far too early to become disillusioned with the management for Forest fans, but the lack of investment in the club has left the club in a weaker position than last season while the League as a whole looks to have improved.
After yet another Play Off loss last season, Forest look like they may need to have a period of transition as McClaren builds the squad in his mould. They are unbeaten in their last 4 competitive games at home, but they will need to improve on their 1st Round defeat in this competition last season.
Lee Camp and Chris Gunter are both away for international duty and that will likely give Paul Smith and Brendan Maloney their chances in the first team.
Notts County
It was only a couple of seasons ago that it seemed Notts County were going to be the latest club who benefited from rich investors as they brought the likes of Sven Goran-Eriksson and Sol Campbell to the club, but that dream was quickly turned into a nightmare. It became apparent that the 'rich investors' were not all they claimed to be and the oldest club in English football remains in the lower Leagues.
There is a concern that Notts County will not be able to survive in League One this season as they seem to be a side lacking in goals, even with the influential Lee Hughes in the side. However, a 0-3 win at Carlisle United on the opening day will give them confidence that that is not the case and survival is a real possibility.
The Magpies went through a period between March and April where they lost 11 of 12 League games, although they ended the season with a little more positivity after picking up 8 points from the final 15 available. Notts County beat Plymouth and Watford away from home in this competition last season.
Lee Hughes will be missing after hurting his ankle in the win over Carlisle. Stephen Hunt and Ben Burgess are both out while Alan Judge will need to pass a late fitness test.
Head to Head
These two City rivals have not met for some time in a competitive fixture so both sets of fans should be looking forward to the contest.
Prediction
Notts County showed their cup pedigree last season when they beat Watford away from home before succumbing to Premier League Wolves in extra time at Molineaux.
Further to those exploits, Notts County held big spending Manchester City to a 1-1 draw in the FA Cup at home so the players clearly relish testing themselves against better sides.
However, I feel Nottingham Forest will have plenty of motivation as this is a Derby and their home fans will not allow the team to go through the motions. Forest struggled on Saturday so I would also expect Steve McClaren will pick a side to get the win and build some momentum while igniting the season.
The odds look just tempting enough to back the home team to win, but once again I will caution going in too heavy in a notoriously difficult tournament to predict.
The Pick :
Nottingham Forest 2-0 Notts County
