The Anorak: Jones injury may leave gate open for Rams

IT'S HARD to find a banker bet when the only certainty of the week being that the freezing weather will leave today's fixture list decimated north and south of the Border, but assuming it's still on this morning we will pin our hopes on Derby County to win at home to Scunthorpe.

The Rams showed some real grit to hold leaders Newcastle at St James' Park in their last outing and hopefully that fighting 0-0 draw in the north-east wasn't just a flash in the pan result for Nigel Clough's side.

Visitors Scunthorpe United – for whom influential captain and former Hibs centre half Rob Jones is a doubt – have only won once away this season, and with Scottish international Kris Commons back from injury for Derby, perhaps he can provide the cutting edge the home side have been lacking in recent weeks.

Is it a true banker bet? Probably not, but with most of this week's other good things snowed off, tempting odds of 10-11 look worth chancing on the Pride Park side.

West Ham are another team who have fighting qualities in abundance and they should be able to welcome Mark Noble and Scott Parker back into their side for a winnable looking game against Wolves in Sky's televised early afternoon game tomorrow.

Odds of 4-5 look about right on a West Ham win, and we'll add Zola's side to Derby in the Yankee, along with Manchester City to beat Blackburn on Monday evening (2-5) and our away bet of the week – Aston Villa at 7-5 to beat Wigan.

Martin O'Neill's side have been outstanding this season, all the more so considering they got the campaign off to the worst possible start – by losing against Wigan.

That shock defeat should add a little more motivation to the Villa camp to settle the score and they have proved time and time again how effective they can be on the road. Wigan have blown hot and cold this season, but they may find the pacy attack of O'Neill's side too much.

THIS WEEKEND'S BETS

Banker: Derby County to beat Scunthorpe 10-11

Yankee: Derby to beat Scunthorpe 10-11; Aston Villa to beat Wigan 7-5; West Ham to beat Wolves 4-5; Man City to beat Blackburn 2-5

Away bet: Aston Villa to beat Wigan 7-5