Derby dangermen to punish Portsmouth in Capital One Cup clash

The Capital One Cup is back with a bang, so Coral writers run the rule over the intriguing first round battle between big-names Portsmouth and Derby County.

It could well be a Ram raid at Fratton Park, where Championship contenders Derby are priced at a fantastic 5/2 match special to win by two or more in 90 minutes of this opening stage encounter (with a maximum stake of £20).

The Midlands men have a fresh face in the dugout after Steve McClaren narrowly missed out on Premier League promotion, so new coach Steve Clement will be chomping at the bit to claim a brilliant cup bow, with County odds-on at 5/6 for victory, or a better value special price of 5/2 to win to nil in normal time (also max stake £20).

Derby made a raft of summer signings who will be eager to etch their names onto the scoresheet as they trek to the south coast.

So, customers can place a stake on former Premier League poachers and ex-Aston Villa attacking pair Darren Bent (9/2 to bag first), now a permanent purchase, and Andreas Wiemann (11/2) to impress.

Having been first pick at the weekend, marksman Chris Martin could take a break on the bench, but is 7/5 to score anytime.

Alternatively, flank threat and marquee man Thomas Ince, who clocked up 11 league strikes last campaign, is a superb shout at 7/4 in the same market.

Derby’s dangerous array of forwards will certainly be hard to handle for League Two team Pompey, who fell from the dizzying heights of the Premier League back in 2010.

Yet, Portsmouth, who have had a tough road since then, will have the backing of a boisterous home faithful, which makes them 16/5 to triumph, or 13/5 for a draw in normal time.

Should punters wish to back Pompey not to be pushovers, despite failing to defeat the Rams in their past four meetings, widemen Kyle Bennett and Gareth Evans are respective 7/2 and 3/1 prices to breach Derby’s defence anytime.

Betting tip: back dangerous Derby @ 5/2 to win by two or more in 90 mins (max stake £20)