Derby vs Coventry predictions: Sky Blues can end Pride Park struggles
Coventry have not conceded a goal in their first two matches of the season
Derby failed to score in their final three home games last season
Recommended bet: Coventry to win
Coventry City did not get the start they wanted to the new Championship season after losing out in the play-off semi-finals last term, but they have the talent to get their first league victory on the board when they visit Derby County at lunchtime on Saturday.
After a frustrating goalless draw against Hull City, the Sky Blues came out on top in their EFL Cup first-round tie at home to League One Luton Town on Tuesday night.
It was again not the free-flowing performance that manager Frank Lampard would have hoped for, but a second-half strike from Ellis Simms was enough to secure their progress.
Derby finished 14 places and 19 points behind Coventry in 19th last season and former Sky Blues midfielder John Eustace will be looking for their first Championship points after last week's 3-1 defeat at Stoke City, when the Rams let slip a 1-0 lead in the final 20 minutes.
They also progressed in the EFL Cup in midweek, but left it late to overcome West Brom at The Hawthorns, equalising in the 90th minute through Joe Ward before winning 3-2 in a penalty shootout.
County were a bogey side for Coventry last season, beating them 2-0 at home and 2-1 away, while Pride Park has been an unhappy hunting ground for the Sky Blues, who have not won there since 2003.
The latest Derby vs Coventry odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Coventry made nine changes for their EFL Cup match and several players took the opportunity to make a case for a regular place including winger Raphael Borges Rodrigues, while Kaine Kesler-Hayden and Miguel Angel Brau made their competitive debuts for the club.
Ben Sheaf is out with a groin injury, but key men Haji Wright and Jack Rudoni are back to full health.
Derby also made nine changes for their midweek match, with Bobby Clark making his competitive debut.
The Rams will be without Corey Blackett-Taylor (hamstring) and Charles Ebuka Agbawodikeizu (groin) due to injuries.
The stats
Eight of the last nine meetings between the teams have involved under 2.5 goals, while three of the last five Pride Park meetings have been drawn.
Coventry's first two matches this season have produced just one goal and both of Derby's games this season have been goalless at half-time.
One or both teams failed to score in Derby's last five home matches last season, while the Rams picked up nine of their 13 league wins last season in home fixtures.
The latest Derby vs Coventry odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Coventry remain one of the teams to watch in the Championship this season despite their low-key draw with Hull and Lampard's side can get their first league win on the board at the second attempt.
The Sky Blues squad should be sharper for their first couple of outings and there have been plenty of promising signs, with depth looking to be a real strength and plenty of valuable options on the bench.
Derby have had an edge over Coventry in this fixture in recent seasons, but their double over the Sky Blues last term was achieved despite the Rams having barely over 30 per cent of the possession in either game and Coventry promise to be an even more potent outfit this time round.
The home side's fitness can also be called into question after their late collapse at Stoke last weekend, when the Potters had seven shots on target to their two.
Therefore it is no surprise to see Coventry made favourites for an away victory.
