Nico Rosberg has all the momentum heading into the Malaysia GP, says Johnny Herbert

Sky F1 analyst Johnny Herbert expects Nico Rosberg to extend his lead in the Drivers' Championship with victory in the Malaysia Grand Prix this weekend.

Rosberg currently leads world champion and Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton by eight points and a first win at Sepang would secure the German his fourth straight race win for the second time this season.

Herbert believes the momentum is firmly with Rosberg and doesn't feel his lack of success in Kuala Lumpur should hinder his chances of success.

Rosberg has failed to win in 10 attempts at the International circuit, with a best finish of second in 2014, but Herbert still thinks he's worth backing at 6/4 with Sky Bet

The Sky Sports pundit said: "Nico's aiming to win four races on the bounce for the second time this season and it seems that the momentum is all with him at the moment.

"Malaysia might not be his favourite track but he's already won at venues he's never won at before this season so that doesn't mean he can't triumph this weekend.

"It's a straight fight in the dry between the two Mercedes drivers for men, and Lewis at the moment has had too many bad starts or problem weekends. He'll fight back, just not this weekend."

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel won last year's race with Hamilton and Rosberg second and third respectively, but with Mercedes on the verge of winning the Constructors' title once again Herbert thinks it's a safe bet putting your money behind the Brackley-based team to secure another Double Podium finish at odds of 4/7.

The three-time Grand Prix winner said: "It's not the biggest return you'll ever get but this race, in the dry, should be a straight fight between the two Silver Arrows, so it makes logical sense to me, to back them both for a podium finish."

With Mercedes tipped to secure two of the three podium slots, Herbert expects Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardio to complete the trio - a 6/5 shot with Sky Bet.

Ricciardio came agonisingly close to victory in Singapore two weeks ago, losing out to Rosberg by 0.4 second, and Herbert thinks his great form will continue on Sunday.

He added: "Four podiums in the last five races says it all really. Daniel is driving so well, you wonder where he'd be in the Championship if he was in a Mercedes?

"Somebody needs to keep Lewis and Nico company on the podium and the Australian, refreshed after a week back home in Perth, is the man to do it."