M69 Derby

One of the first games that fans look for when the fixtures come out is Derby Day, which for me comes this Saturday as Leicester City visit the Ricoh to take on my beloved Sky Blues.

Football quite often effects the whole spirit of the supporters depending on the result, but the result against your fiercest rivals, brings out even extremer highs and lows in the fans moods.

The Old Cliche goes that form goes out of the window on derby day, and no doubt Leicester fans will be hoping that rings true, after a poor start to the season, which has seen them yet to win a game so far this season, after impressing last year en route to the Playoffs. Whereas Coventry fans will be hoping to continue their impressive start to the season, and get back on the winning track after the defeat to Millwall last time out.

Both teams should have added to their firepower over the international break, with Leicester splashing £3million on Martyn Waghorn from Sunderland. Waghorn, who scored in this fixture last year, will be joined by Japanese midfielder Yuki Abe, who played in all 4 of his coutries world cup games, yet failed to impose himself on games despite having a lot of time of the ball in his very deep-lying role. Whether he will play in the same position for the foxes remains to be seen.

Coventry expect the signings of Marlon King, and Bolton loanee Danny Ward to be completed in time for the match, King is a proven performer in this division, but there will be doubts about his fitness after 18 months out of the game, whilst Ward comes highly rated, after an impressive spell at Swindon last season.

Tactically it should be a very intriguing game, with the Sky Blues looking to play fast, direct football, getting the ball in and around the box, switching play from flank to flank, in order to create as many chances as possible. This is a style that has proven effective so far, as coventry have won both their home games so far this season.

Paulo Sousa, on the other hand, will have his charges playing a more patient, probing style, which won him many plaudits whilst at Swansea last season.

The line-up for both sides is hard to predict. Will Coventry stick to the 4-4-2 with the same 11 that has served them so well at home this season, despite changing to a 4-5-1 formatin against Millwall. Players like Sammy Clingan, Aron Gunnarsson, Ian Turner, Clive Platt and Richard Wood will hope to keep their places in the 11 after impressing against Milwall, despite the scoreline, whereas Eastwood, Westwood, Ben Turner, Jutkiewicz will be hoping to return to the side. Add in the fact that Marlon King and Danny Ward are expected to sign, and will both be pushing for consideration.

For Leicester, it will be interesting to see if Abe is given his debut. The defensive midfielder comes with a high reputation, but to be thrown in to the middle of a derby match, in his first taste of English football could be a big risk. I expect Waghorn to go striaght into the side, possibly at the expense of Danny N'Guessan or Paul Gallagher, and Matty Fryatt will be hoping to get back into the starting line-up after only starting 1 gae this season.

Key Men

Coventry - Nathan Cameron - The young Centre back has impressed for Coventry after his suprise inclusion in the team against Portsmouth. In last season's game Coventry were fully in control, until the introduction of Steve Howard for Leicester, who bullied the Sky Blues centre backs, as Leicester forced their way back into the game.

Cameron has shown intelligence and maturity, despite his lack of experience, and will need to show these again, up against the experienced and wily Howard.

Leicester - Lloyd Dyer - One of only two current Leicester players who have scored this season in the league. The former Sky Blues Loanee, droppped down the leagues before finding his feet at MK Dons before signing for the foxes, where he has popped up with several important goals.

My Prediction

Coventry 2-1 Leicester.