There’s another intriguing weekend of Championship football this weekend, with derby games, top-versus-bottom battles and a fixture which could decide the future of two managers….Preston v Ipswich (Saturday 3pm).
North End may be rooted to the bottom of the table, but they are showing signs of improvement whilst Ipswich continue to sink like a stone. Both managers are under immense pressure, but Darren Ferguson could hammer another nail in Roy Keane’s coffin. Preston almost snatched an unlikely win at Cardiff last week, while Ipswich go to Deepdale on a five-game league losing run.
Bet advice: Preston to win @ 7/5
QPR v Watford (Friday 7:45pm)
The league leaders look to maintain their unbeaten record and should be too strong for an out-of-sorts Watford, who have won just one of their last eight matches. The Hoops’ frontmen have not been firing of late, with just one open-play goal from a striker in the last four matches – so don’t expect too many goals.
Bet advice: Under 2.5 goals @ Evens
Swansea v Millwall (Friday 7:45pm)
Swansea will be aware that a win on Friday will move them into second, at least for 24 hours, but they face a stern test against a Millwall side showing signs of recovery. The Swans have struggled for goals at home in recent weeks and the Lions, who have taken seven points from their last three matches, can take something back to London.
Bet advice: Draw @ 13/5
Barnsley v Sheff Utd (Saturday 3pm)
This South Yorkshire derby will be a scrap between two teams who will feel they should be doing better than their league positions suggest. But it’s the Blades that are in the biggest trouble – currently just two points outside the relegation zone – and they face a Barnsley team that have an impressive record at home, with just two defeats in nine matches at Oakwell.
Bet advice: Barnsley to win @ 13/10
Burnley v Leeds (Saturday 3pm)
Two former top-flight clubs do battle at Turf Moor, bringing back memories of unforgettable meetings during the heady days of the 1970s. Both teams have high hopes of a Premier League return this season and this is hard to call with Burnley losing just once at home so far and Leeds losing just twice on their travels.
Bet advice: Both teams to score @ 8/13
Middlesbrough v Cardiff (Saturday 3pm)
Boro look like they are in for a season-long relegation battle and a trip to the Riverside could provide Cardiff with a welcome chance to get back to winning ways. The Welsh outfit have really struggled in recent weeks – winning just one of their last six matches – but the Bluebirds’ pace up front should prove too much for a young Boro backline to deal with.
Bet advice: Craig Bellamy to score anytime @ 7/4
Leicester v Doncaster (Saturday 3pm)
Sven has made Leicester entertaining to watch since his arrival in October, but they are leaking goals and giving opposition chances on the break. Doncaster, though, are a different side away from the Keepmoat and an improving Foxes squad should secure the points.
Bet advice: Leicester to win 3-1 @ 12/1
Bristol City v Derby (Saturday 3pm)
QPR aside, the Robins are arguably the team in form in the Championship, with just one defeat in their last three games. They appear to be catching promotion hopefuls Derby at the just the right time as well, with Nigel Clough’s men losing three of their last four matches.
Bet advice: Bristol City to win @ 11/8
Norwich v Portsmouth (Saturday 3pm)
The Canaries are the surprise package of the season to date and find themselves in the top four, after losing just five of their 20 games to date. But they will be tested by a Portsmouth team who now look to be finding their stride under Steve Cotterill and who are fresh from a 2-1 win at Swansea. With Grant Holt suspended, Pompey could well sneak the points.
Bet advice: Draw HT/Portsmouth FT @ 15/2
Reading v Coventry (Saturday 3pm)
Goals have been hard to come by for both sides in recent weeks, with neither side looking like they are promotion material or likely to be relegated either. This won’t be high on the football bets list for people seeking an accumulator – a draw looks most likely.
Bet advice: 1-1 Correct Score @ 11/2
Scunthorpe v Nottingham Forest (Saturday 3pm)
Scunthorpe’s shocking home form means this should surely be an away win, as Forest move towards the play-off zone. The Iron have won just one game at Glanford Park this season and they look to be on a slippery slope towards League One.
Bet advice: Forest to win @ 6/5
Crystal Palace v Hull (Saturday 5:20pm)
Both of these teams are moving in the right direction and look to have recovered are their early-season slump. Palace are a young team building for the future, while Hull have a more experienced team who have improved their away form and are currently on a four-game unbeaten run.
Bet advice: Draw @ 23/10
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