Missing Martin may be a problem for Rams in Midlands derby at Wolves

Wolverhampton Wanderers have won three of their last four home games by three goals or more without conceding, so you might think stuttering promotion candidates Derby County will struggle at Molineux without injured leading marksman Chris Martin.

Coral make Steve McClaren’s Rams 15/8 for victory at Wolves, and they battered their Midlands rivals 5-0 in the reverse fixture without relying on stricken Scotland striker Martin to score.

Punters might feel this was an aberration, however, so if you are in that camp take 8/5 on Wolves winning. Two of the last three head-to-heads in this West-meets-East Midlands match-up have been drawn, so a share of spoils must be considered again at 9/4.

Derby will be looking for their first victory in six Championship outings, so need another Scotland forward in Johnny Russell to step up. He bagged a brace at Pride Park back in November, though a repeat performance or better is an 11/1 shot. Former Dundee United star Russell is safer at 2/1 in the anytime market.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Jeff Hendrick is 5/1 to net again, having also scored twice in the reverse fixture. Rams loan star Darren Bent is also out injured, so fellow temporary acquisitions Tom Ince and Jesse Lingaard (both 11/4 anytime chances) should have attacking involvement.

Kenny Jackett, meanwhile, has defensive duo Richard Stearman and Dominic Iorfa back from injury, so odds of 23/10 for Wanderers to keep a clean sheet are certainly tempting.

Benik Afobe, a winter window signing from Arsenal after impressing on loan at MK Dons in the division below, has netted five in as many home games, so he is a fabulous 5/1 shout to score first.

Punters can also back fellow attacker Bakary Sako, who has four in his last four at Molineux, at the same price to break the deadlock, or take shorter and safer odds of 5/4 in the anytime market.