Queens Park Rangers are not in action until Sunday but there is still plenty of action in the Championship on Saturday so we will have a look at the top games and pick out any potential betting opportunities.
Cardiff v Watford
Cardiff’s form has been indifferent over their past five fixtures – with two wins, two defeats and a draw – and they are due to face a Hornets side who have won their last six Championship games, including a 3-1 victory at league-leading QPR.
A win for the Hertfordshire side would take them above the Welshmen and would equal their club record of seven consecutive wins. But Cardiff may have Craig Bellamy and Jay Bothroyd back, which will boost their goal-scoring potential and it could be that this one ends in a stalemate, with a low-scoring draw possibly on the cards.
Odds: Draw 12/5
Value bet: 1-1 draw 11/2
Barnsley v Swansea
The Swans have taken nine out of a possible 15 points in their last five outings but remain in second place in the Championship table. They have been strengthened by the return of midfielder Leon Britton and should have enough ammunition to take all three points from a Tykes side who have won just once in their last five games.
With QPR not playing until Sunday, the Welsh side can join them on 49 points and continue their march towards the Premier League.
The Yorkshiremen can take heart from the fact that Saturday’s opponents are vulnerable away from home and have already lost seven times on their travels this term.
Odds: Swansea Evens to win
Value bet: Both teams to score 3/4
Portsmouth v Leeds
Leeds were dumped out of the FA Cup by Arsenal in a replay this week but they now return to the business of winning back their Premier League status.
The Elland Road outfit have taken just six points from their last five games, with only one victory in that time, but will face a Pompey side who have not won any of their past five fixtures. They have endured three defeats and two draws, one of which was a 3-3 affair with Saturday’s opponents back in late December.
The Yorkshire outfit are the Championship’s joint-top scorers and so the home side’s dodgy defence will have its work cut out to contain them, and an away win is predicted here.
Odds: Leeds 6/4 to win
Value bet: Leeds to win to nil 16/5
Reading v Hull
The Royals’ form has been mixed of late with two wins, two draws and a defeat but they are just one place and two points outside the play-off zone.
Hull have managed 10 points from a possible 15 and will pose a significant threat to their hosts on Saturday as they have not been beaten on the road for eight games.
Whether or not they can take all three points is open to question and these sides may have to settle for a point each after 90 minutes at the Madejski Stadium.
Odds: Draw 5/2
Value bet: 2-2 draw 12/1
Nottingham Forest v Derby County
Forest are on a great run at present with 13 points from 15, including a 5-2 victory over Saturday’s opponents in December, while Derby have won just once in five.
Local derbies can always throw up strange results but the Rams’ FA Cup defeat to Crawley Town will have dented their fragile confidence even further and Forest will surely be too good for Nigel Clough’s beleaguered side.
Derby are in free-fall at present and the Forest fans would love their heroes to aid the Rams’ downward spiral.
Odds: Forest win 6/4
Value bet: Forest to lead at half time and full time 7/2
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