Three games take place on Sunday in the Championship with the pick of the action coming from the King Power Stadium as Leeds travel to take on managerless Leicester. Both teams had high hopes at the start of the season and despite mixed fortunes in the last couple of months, are just outside the play-off zone.
Leicester v Leeds (15:00)
Simon Grayson’s Leeds make the trip down to Leicester after a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Blackpool at Elland Road on Tuesday, and they can expect no joy on the road when they face the Foxes , who are buoyed from their 3-1 win at Burnley during the week.
Although without a permanent manager since Sven-Goran Eriksson was sacked last month, Leicester proved they have enough quality to push for promotion this season in their impressive display in the emphatic victory on Tuesday.
Caretaker manager Jon Rudkin was able to leave Jermaine Beckford on the bench for the game at Turf Moor, with David Nugent and Paul Gallagher both rewarding him with goals. On paper, the Foxes have one of the best starting XI’s in the Championship and it is only a matter of time before they go on a winning run, which will push them into the play-offs at the very least.
Take Leicester at 10/11 to overcome the Yorkshire side and David Nugent looks a good bet to score the first goal of the game against Leeds at a generous 5/1.
Brighton v Barnsley (15:00)
After a flying start to life in the Championship, Brighton have not won a league game since September 10. They have though had a tough fixture list in recent weeks, so they will appreciate the visit of Barnsley to the Amex Arena.
Keith Hill’s side have been no pushovers this season, but they are unlikely to be in the top of the table come the end of the season. Hill took over the reins at Oakwell in the summer and was handed one of the smallest budgets in the Championship, which the objective to remain in the league this season.
Craig Mackail-Smith surprised a lot of people when he signed for south coast club in the summer, despite generating a lot of attention from Premier League clubs. He is a good price at 9/2 to score the opening goal in the game.
The home side look the best bet and the Seagulls to be winning at half-time/full time at odds of 7/4 looks a decent price.
Reading v Birmingham (15:00)
Birmingham travel to the Madjeski Stadium after a tough European encounter with Club Brugge on Thursday evening, in which they came back from a 2-0 deficit to take a point from the game.
It is the perfect time for the Royals to take on the Chris Hughton’s side, on the back of a European encounter and they are a solid selection at 6/5.
Reading have a solid home record so far this season, they have not been beaten on home soil since early September.
Adam Le Fondre (9/2 First Goalscorer) signed from Rotherham before the summer transfer window closed. He has made a good start to his career at the club, scoring four goals in his opening seven games.
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