Derby v Blackburn

 

Derby v Blackburn
Championship
SKY, 4pm

DERBY FOR WINNING START

Championship action live on Sky today with Derby taking on Blackburn at Pride Park.

The head to head records would lead you towards Blackburn but Blackburn’s fortunes have taken a dive over the last couple of years:

Apr 2013 English Championship Blackburn 2 – 0 Derby
Jan 2013 English FA Cup Derby 0 – 3 Blackburn
Oct 2012 English Championship Derby 1 – 1 Blackburn
May 2008 Premier League Blackburn 3 – 1 Derby
Dec 2007 Premier League Derby 1 – 2 Blackburn
Dec 2001 Premiership Blackburn 0 – 1 Derby
Aug 2001 Premiership Derby 2 – 1 Blackburn
Feb 2001 English FA Cup Derby 2 – 5 Blackburn
Jan 2001 English FA Cup Blackburn 0 – 0 Derby
Jan 1999 Premiership Derby 1 – 0 Blackburn

Nigel Clough’s Derby finished 10th in the table last season (Blackburn 17th) and showed particularly good form at home.

Supporters will no doubt have promotion aspirations this season and can get off to a good start here.

Blackburn, meanwhile, could hand debuts to as many as eight new players when they travel to Derby.

New Rovers boss Gary Bowyer has enjoyed a productive summer at Ewood Park as he looks to mount a fresh challenge for promotion.

Defender Tommy Spurr and Hull loanee Tom Cairney are likely to feature after joining the club on Thursday.

It surely will take them a few games to settle down.

STAR FORECAST
(stake between 0.5 and 10 points)
6 points DERBY to beat BLACKBURN

(NO BET Saturday)

SHORTAGE OF SICK BAGS

Twenty-six passengers were rushed off a Qantas flight for medical treatment in Sydney after a stomach bug struck mid-journey, triggering a mass vomiting episode.

The sick passengers – all Australian – were part of the same tour group and were suspected of contracting the gastro intestinal illnes before they boarded the 14-hour flight in Santiago, Qantas spokesman Luke Enright said.

The ill passengers were moved to seats at the rear of the plane near where four toilets were situated, Australian Associated Press reported.

The Boeing 747, with more than 300 people aboard, was met by ambulance paramedics when it landed at Sydney airport and the ill passengers were quarantined, Qantas spokesman Luke Enright said.