Tag Archives: Championship

Blackpool v Cardiff – Championship Betting Preview

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BlackpoolBlackpool are welcoming Cardiff to Bloomfield Road in the Championship this evening in what could be a tight match, although the hosts are our slight favourite at 6/4 to win, with Cardiff at 7/4. However Blackpool are entering the match in poor form, having only won twice in their last twelve in the Championship and they are still playing without a manager since Michael Appleton’s departure to Blackburn last week, so Cardiff should not be written off.

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Blackpool v Wolverhampton – Championship Betting Preview

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Tom InceThe Championship is seeing Blackpool host Wolves tonight, and it could be a lively game as they both need to secure more points if they are to keep their promotion dreams alive. Both teams are promotion hopefuls but Blackpool are currently occupying the eleventh position with Wolves even lower in eighteenth, so they should be playing their best. Blackpool are our favourite at EVS however, and they are entering in better form.

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Plenty have Championship claims

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With July upon us, players up and down the country are returning for pre-season training with the focus on the new season. But who has realistic promotion claims in the Championship in 2012-13 in what is often an unpredictable division?

The second tier is frequently described as the most competitive league in Europe with plenty of evenly-matched teams vying for promotion, either automatically or via the end-of-season play-offs. Managers regularly say it is the hardest division to get out of and, with Wolves, Blackburn and Bolton joining the Championship ranks next season, there are several teams in contention to go up come next May.

Totesport make wealthy Leicester City the 7/4 favourites in the promotion market but the Foxes were also highly-fancied to go up last term only for that prediction to fall flat on its face when they failed to even make the play-offs after finishing a disappointing ninth.

In Nigel Pearson they have a manager highly respected in the Championship and have strengthened with the astute capture of Ritchie de Laet from Manchester United.

Add in the experience of Neil Danns and Ritchie Wellens, plus the goalscoring threat of Jermaine Beckford and you do have a side capable of beating anyone in the league.

Predictably, Bolton (5/2 to go up) and Wolves (11/4) are next in the betting to be promoted following their relegation from the Premier League in May. Both have considerable talent in their squads to cope well in the Championship – although there could be departures from the Reebok and Molineux in the coming weeks. Wolves are hoping to keep hold of key men Kevin Doyle, Matt Jarvis and Steven Fletcher amid interest from top-flight clubs and, if they do, they are good value to secure a fast return to the big time and even worth backing at 9/1 in the outright winner market.

Bolton are back at this level for the first time in 11 years and will fancy their chances of at least making the play-offs with Owen Coyle desperate to restore his reputation in the new season. They, too, have players who could leave but expect them to be in the running when it matters come the end of the campaign.

Lancashire rivals Blackburn’s summer purchases to date have caught the eye with Danny Murphy making the move along with Newcastle striker Leon Best and veteran former Portugal international Nuno Gomes. The latter may be a high-profile risk at 36 but the other two represent solid signings from Steve Kean and could be just the players to help quell the discontent at Ewood Park and inspire a promotion bid (9/2).

Other lively outsiders for promotion include Watford (8/1), under new Italian ownership and expected to have Gianfranco Zola at the helm, while traditional big clubs like Leeds (9/2), Cardiff (7/2), Nottingham Forest (5/1) and Birmingham (11/2) will be in the mix if they strengthen well and make good use of their plentiful home support.

Of the rest, promoted Charlton (13/2), Sheffield Wednesday (7/1) and Huddersfield (12/1) will look to stay up first and foremost although the Addicks could launch a shock back-to-back promotion bid, in the manner of Norwich and Southampton, under the guidance of Chris Powell if they keep their young squad intact.

It is certainly a tight division that again is hard to predict and, when looking a the promotion market, you can make a case for around three-quarters of the clubs to go on and secure a place in the Premier League come next May.

Bolton, Leicester and Wolves, then, are the early tips to battle for the title while we see Blackburn and Watford running them close. After that, provided financial restrictions are lifted and takeovers completed, Nottingham Forest and Birmingham also have good promotion claims while Charlton are dark horses.

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Championship set for climax

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The battle for promotion to the Premier League looks set to finally come to a conclusion in the Championship as three massive games on Saturday are set to determine who will go up automatically with Reading and which four sides will scrap it out in the play-offs.

MIDDLESBROUGH V SOUTHAMPTON

The late game in the Championship sees Nigel Adkins’ Saints make the long journey to the north east to face a Boro side still in with a slight chance of making the play-off places, with the visitorslooking to secure the win which would seal a second successive promotion and Premier League football at St Mary’s next term.

Tony Mowbray’s side, who are four points off the play-offs with two games remaining, will know how their main rivals for a top-six spot – Backpool and Cardiff – have fared by the time the action gets underway at the Riverside and if one of them slips up the Teessiders will look to pounce.

However, it is Boro’s home form which has left them outside the play-off places as they have been dismal in front of their despondent fans for the majority of the campaign.

The midweek goalless draw against bottom club and already-relegated Doncaster means Boro have only won seven games at the Riverside this season with their away form keeping them in the fight.

Mowbray’s side, who should have Faris Haroun fit and Joe Bennett available to face the Saints, started 2012 in second spot in the Championship, but one win in 10 has cost them dearly, while they have also only won one game in matches against the top five clubs this season.

Southampton will arrive in confident mood and Adkins will no doubt hope Birmingham, Cardiff and Blackpool all win in their respective 3pm matches as that would see Boro have nothing to play for.

However, they probably won’t need any favours to see off Boro on their own patch as they have only lost once in the last five trips to the Riverside and their current form has seen them pick up 10 wins in their last 15 league games, with just two defeats in 17.

Adkins, who is set to name an unchanged side, watched the Saints thump Boro 3-0 at St Mary’s in October and another comfortable win is on the cards.

Prediction: Southampton Away Win 90 Minutes @ 6/5
Value Bet: R Lambert 1st goal Southampton 2-0 Scorecast @ 30/1

BLACKPOOL v BURNLEY

An unpredictable Lancashire derby is probably the last thing Blackpool boss Ian Holloway wanted at this stage of the season as his side look for the win to seal a play-off place.

To make matters worse they have only defeated the Clarets once in 15 years at Bloomfield Road – a 3-0 win in 2008 – and were well beaten 3-1 at Turf Moor earlier in the campaign in a third straight defeat against their rivals.

However, with a top-six place guaranteed if they bag the three points, expect the hosts to continue their good recent form which has seen them go unbeaten in five.

Holloway will hope to have striker Stephen Dobbie fit from a stiff back, while Kevin Phillips is back in training after a hip problem. Keith Southern serves the last of a three-match ban, while defender Craig Cathcart is doubtful due to a cyst.

Burnley arrive in decent form as they are unbeaten in four matches and could draw three games on the bounce for the first time this season on Saturday.

Eddie Howe, who has injury concerns over strikers Jay Rodriguez and Martin Paterson, knows they only have pride left to play for but a good result against their big rivals and a chance to give their fans the bragging rights will no doubt inspire a performance.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 11/4
Value Bet: Burnley/Draw HT/FT @ 16/1

CARDIFF V LEEDS

Cardiff go into their clash with Leeds on home soil in the knowledge that they will be in the play-offs for a third successive season if they win the match.

The Bluebirds defeated Derby 2-0 in midweek which made it eight games unbeaten, while they are also 11 games unbeaten in games against their opponents.

However Malky Mackay’s plans have been hit by the loss of influential midfielder Craig Conway for the rest of the season with ankle ligament damage, while striker Rudy Gestede is struggling with a hip problem and midfielder Don Cowie is carrying a minor knock.

Neil Warnock will bring his Leeds side to South Wales looking to spoil the party,after they failed to prevent Blackpool from boosting their play-off aspirations in midweek.

The Whites have lost four of their five previous matches, including the last two away, so will not be full of confidence, while they are missing defender Darren O’Dea who saw red against Blackpool and striker Billy Paynter is out with an Achilles injury.

Cardiff have the momentum and desire for points and we can’t see anything other than a banker home win from this match-up.

Prediction: Cardiff Home Win 90 Minutes @ 8/11
Value Bet: Cardiff To Win 3-1 Correct Score @ 12/1

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Championship race hots up

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After a superb weekend of football, the Championship action continues on Easter Monday with a number of matches that could have a huge bearing on the outcome of the season at both ends of the table, with promotion-chasers West Ham (10/1 Championship outright) and Birmingham meeting at Upton Park, while at the other end Bristol City host Coventry.

In perhaps the biggest game of the day, West Ham face Blues with both sides knowing that a victory will go a long way to sealing their position in the play-off places (West Ham 6/5, draw 12/5, Birmingham 11/5).

Despite a lightning quick start to the season, the Hammers have struggled of late, especially at home, where they haven’t won since beating Millwall at the beginning of February.

If they are to break their duck on Monday they will need their big players to stand up and be counted and Sam Allardyce will be looking for a big performance from skipper Kevin Nolan. The experienced midfielder scored the opener in Friday’s win at Barnsley and he will once again be hoping to inspire his side to victory.

Birmingham are currently on a run of four games without defeat and, after an inconsistent beginning to the campaign, Chris Hughton’s men appear to be finding their form at just the right time.

The Blues have a number of standout players but striker Nikola Zigic (15/8 to score at anytime) is often the man who digs them out of trouble.

The Serbian had a difficult first season in England but has found his feet this year and looks like one of the division’s best strikers. It’s also worth noting that the Hammers have struggled to deal with his height in previous matches and he will certainly be looking to once again torment the West Ham rearguard.

With West Ham’s current home troubles, they could be nervous ahead of the match and Birmingham’s good form suggests that they could just sneak it, but it’s sure to be tight.

Perhaps the other major game of the day is the clash between 21st place Bristol City and Coventry who sit a single spot below them (Bristol City 5/4, draw 9/4, Coventry 9/4).

The Robins will be confident going into the game as they’re unbeaten in three, including Saturday’s victory at Nottingham Forest.

Key to their chances of victory will be journeyman striker Jon Stead (3/2 to score at anytime) who finally appears to have found a home at Ashton Gate after years of moving around. The 29-year-old may not always get on the scoresheet but his work for the side is invaluable so look out for him to provide assists to the likes of Chris Wood and Brett Pitman.

The Sky Blues have struggled on and off the pitch this season and manager Andy Thorn has certainly had his hands tied due to the financial constraints of the club.

However, they appear to have found some form recently and are unbeaten in their last seven matches and know victory on Monday will go a long way to them avoiding relegation.

Their one to watch looks as if it could be veteran forward Clive Platt who, like the aforementioned Stead, may not get the headlines but often performs. The 34-year-old hasn’t scored since the start of February and will be desperate to break his duck in Bristol.

Both teams will be confident going into the game but home advantage could be crucial and Derek McInnes side should just nick it.

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Crunch time in Championship

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There are three vital matches at the top of the Championship on Saturday as the race for promotion hots up. Southampton are looking good for automatic promotion and we will begin our preview by looking at their clash with Blackpool (Southampton 1/4 Championship Outright).

Blackpool v Southampton

Southampton are six points clear at the top of the table and are favourites to take the title and with it return to the promised land.

And their recent form suggests there is no reason to doubt that they will do so, with 26 points taken from the last 10 games and no defeats.

That is title-winning form in anyone’s book and it only seems a matter of time before Nigel Adkins will be plotting his tactics to try keep the Saints in the top flight next season.

But he will not want his side to falter right at the death and will be wary of the Tangerines, who are just outside the play-off zone and desperate for the points to ensure they take part in the post-season.

It has not been a good month so far for Ian Holloway’s side, who have taken just five points from seven games in March.

Defeat at Reading last time out saw them slip out of the top six and they will be looking to get something from this game regardless of the standard of opposition.

The north-west outfit will be without striker Roman Bednar, while Southampton top scorer Rickie Lambert is expected to be fit after recovering from a minor pelvic injury against Doncaster.

Southampton have drawn plenty of games on their travels this term, while Blackpool have only lost three at home and so a draw might be worth looking at here.

Odds: Blackpool 7/4, Southampton 6/4, draw 12/5.

West Ham v Reading

The Hammers take on Reading in a match that could go a long way to determining which club join Southampton in going up automatically.

Sam Allardyce’s men are just one point behind second-place Reading and so there is still everything to play for.

The Londoners have not lost in their past 10 games but have drawn seven of those matches to slip out of the top two.

The Hammers’ faithful have begun to criticise Allardyce’s style of play as there is a tradition of attractive football at Upton Park – not something that is readily associated with Big Sam.

West Ham have not won on their own patch since February 4, with five consecutive draws and it appears the fans have had enough.

Pressure is mounting and the last side that Allardyce would want to see given the circumstances is the Royals, who have taken 16 points from seven games in March and are peaking at just the right time.

Brain McDermott’s men have already won 10 times on the road this season and there is every reason to suggest they will make it 11 on Saturday.

West Ham had to play a re-arranged fixture at Peterborough on Tuesday and Reading will be the fresher of the two clubs heading into the showdown.

Odds: West Ham 5/4, Reading 11/5, draw 23/10.

Brighton v Middlesbrough

There is another clash between two sides in close proximity as the fourth-place Gulls entertain a Boro side in fifth.

Results have been mixed for the south-coast club in March with nine points from six games and they were held to a 1-1 draw by Nottingham Forest last weekend.

They have already won 11 times at home this season but will be facing one of the best sides away from home in the division.

The Teessiders have already picked up three points on nine occasions, which is just as well, as they have not won enough game at home to challenge for automatic promotion.

Gus Poyet’s side have lost just once in their last 10 games but do draw a lot of games and so Tony Mowbray will not be without hope after travelling all the way from the north east to Brighton.

Craig Mackail-Smith is fit for Brighton after a virus and will compete with Sam Vokes for a starting spot, while Will Buckley and Adam El-Abd are also both available.

Boro skipper Matthew Bates will be absent because of a serious knee injury suffered at Ipswich and Stephen McManus could feature after being recalled from his loan spell at Bristol City.

Odds: Brighton 6/5, Boro 11/5, draw 12/5.

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Tuesday’s Championship picks

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There are nine matches in the Championship on Tuesday as the race for automatic promotion and the play-off places hots up. We will have a look at three of the big contests and try to pick a winner or two (West Ham 10/11 Championship Outright).

Ipswich v West Ham

West Ham go into the clash with Ipswich sitting on top of the pile and looking good for an immediate return to the Premier League.

But boss Sam Allardyce knows that there could still be a few twists and turns before the end of the season with plenty of clubs within touching distance ready to strike if the Hammers start to falter.

They head into Tuesday’s encounter in East Anglia having secured three successive league victories and confidence will be high that they will make it four as they face an Ipswich side at the wrong end of the table and just four points outside of the relegation zone.

West Ham have won eight times on their travels so far this term, while The Tractor Boys have been less that convincing on the own patch with seven defeats already and so it all points to a tough outing for Paul Jewell’s men.

The hosts have not won a Championship match since beating Derby 1-0 on December 17 and their position in the table reflects a lack of success and confidence in recent times.

Lee Bowyer will miss the match due to a groin injury, while goalkeeper Alex McCarthy is another absentee as he serves a one-match suspension.

And Jewell could hand a debut to midfielder Ryan Stevenson after he signed from Hearts, while Matt Taylor is set to return to the West Ham squad.

Taylor has had two outings for the reserves to prove his fitness and may return but fellow midfielder Papa Bouba Diop looks set to miss out with a hamstring injury.

Odds: Ipswich 11/4, West Ham Evens, draw 5/2

Southampton v Cardiff City

Southampton will go top of the table if they beat Cardiff and the Hammers suffer defeat to Ipswich and victory will see them open up a four-point gap over the Bluebirds in third place.

Therefore there is much on the line for Nigel Adkins’ side as they host the Carling Cup finalists at St Mary’s Stadium.

And they certainly need a lift after some poor results of late with only six points taken from their last five Championship games and a 2-0 defeat to Leicester in their last league outing.

But the south coast outfit will face a Welsh side in red-hot form, as they have taken 11 points from a possible 15, while also dumping Crystal Palace out of the Carling Cup to book a date at Wembley against Liverpool.

Southampton will have to do without defender Jos Hooiveld, who misses out with a hamstring strain but Jose Fonte and Richard Chaplow are fit to play after recovering from injury.

Iago Falque is back after being cup-tied while Adam Lallana will be given a late fitness test on his groin injury.

Cardiff manager Malky Mackay has has no new injury worries as captain Mark Hudson returns after a calf strain with full-back Kyle McNaughton also likely to start after returning from a spell on the sidelines.

Odds: Southampton 10/11, Cardiff 3/1, draw 5/2

Hull v Doncaster

Hull take on Doncaster at the KC Stadium desperately trying to hang on to the final play-off spot.

They currently sit in sixth place in the table, just two points better off than Birmingham, who play Leeds on Tuesday evening.

With their participation in the FA Cup now over, boss Nick Barmby can concentrate his efforts on keeping pace with the top clubs in the second tier of English football to try and plot a course back to the promised land.

They have won their last two league games but suffered three straight defeats prior to beating Reading and Peterborough.

Consistency is the key to a sustained promotion push and Hull have been unable to string together too many wins in recent times but they will never have a better chance of landing the spoils than against a Doncaster side second bottom in the table.

The South Yorkshireman have taken just four points from their past five games and need to get something going pretty quickly if they are to stave of the threat of relegation.

But they will face a Hull side that should be back to full strength after Barmby rested several players for the FA Cup defeat to Crawley.

It will be tough for Donny and it is difficult to see past a Tigers’ victory.

Odds: Hull 4/7, Doncaster 11/2, draw 11/4

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Blues lead Championship treble

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The Championship returns after the international break and teams will continue to jostle for position  in an extremely tight league. Just 12 points seperate the last team in the play-off spots and the side third from bottom, with the unpredictable division offering the punter some big-price winners. Here’s our Saturday home treble selection…

Birmingham v Peterborough (3pm)

Blues have done remarkably well to find themselves in mid-table at this stage, bearing in mind their hectic fixture schedule and the loss of several key players. Chris Hughton continues to work wonders with limited resources and Birmingham sit just four points outside the play-offs, with three games in hand on most of their rivals.

An international break will have helped Blues and they look a decent bet to maintain their unbeaten home record, with four wins and two draws in their six league games at St Andrew’s.

The Posh have scored plenty of goals so far this term, but they are also conceding plenty – 29 goals makes them the leakiest defence in the Championship.

Suggested Bet: Birmingham to win @ 4/5

Middlesbrough v Blackpool (3pm)

Boro have shown they have to be considered as real promotion candidates this season and their fine start is down to a solid run of home displays. Tony Mowbray’s men are yet to lose at the Riverside in the league and have conceded just 10 goals in eight home matches.

Boro have responded well to a 3-0 drubbing at leaders Southampton at the end of last month and a win on Saturday will make it three victories on the bounce, and could see them move into the top two.

Blackpool are dangerous opponents but their away form will be a concern to Ian Holloway. Apart from their freak 5-0 success at Leeds, their only other away win came in the opening game at Hull.

Suggested Bet: Draw HT/Boro FT @ 7/2

Reading v Cardiff (3pm)

Many will be surprised to see the Royals in the bottom half of the table at this stage of the campaign, but they do look like a team on the up. Having lost out in the play-off final last term, Brian McDermott’s men have suffered an early-season hangover, as well as losing some key players.

Reading have picked up in recent weeks and have lost just one of their last 10 games, and that was a narrow defeat at Nottingham Forest. The Royals have shored up at the back, conceding just once in their last three games, and in striker Adam Le Fondre have found a real bargain.

Cardiff themselves are on a good run – five games unbeaten – and are up into the top four in the table. But the Bluebirds have won just two away from home and could be facing Reading at the wrong time.

Suggested Bet: Le Fondre to score at anytime @ 3/2

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Championship previews

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There are two Championship games on Wednesday evening with Derby hosting Cardiff and Blackpool travelling to Elland Road to face Leeds United. The top of the table is extremely congested at present and victory for any of the sides would see significant movement in the standings (Derby 7/4, Cardiff 6/4, draw 12/5 – Match Betting).

Derby County v Cardiff City

Derby’s stellar start to the Championship season appeared to have hit the buffers until they took advantage of managerless Portsmouth to record their first win in six attempts last Saturday.

Defeats at Leicester and Middlesbrough, plus draws against Reading, Southampton and Barnsley, had seen the Rams slip to fifth in the table but, despite only taking five points from their past five games, they are still very much in the mix for a play-off spot.

Boss Nigel Clough has had to deal with several injuries and it is unclear who will play up front in mid-week, with Steven Davies, Nathan Tyson and Theo Robinson all ruled out.

Chris Maguire scored against Pompey and looks set to start despite suffering a broken nose last time out, and Clough must choose between 15-year-old schoolboy Mason Bennett, 18-year-old Callum Ball, Tomasz Cywka and Conor Doyle.

Derby will face a Cardiff side who have also struggled of late and, like their opponents, have picked up just five points from their last five matches.

The Bluebirds are currently ninth in the Championship table but three points at Pride Park would see them move above Derby.

Scoring goals has generally not been a problem with five against Barnsley and three in a losing cause against Peterborough.

But the Welshmen have already conceded 10 goals both at home and away and the rearguard needs to be tightened up if they are to sustain a promotion challenge this term.

Cardiff have won only once away from home in the league this season and there seems no reason why that record will change after the clash with Derby.

Leeds United v Blackpool

Leeds are desperate to regain their top-flight status after seven years out of the limelight and have made a decent start to their campaign with 22 points from their first 14 games to sit just outside the play-off places (Leeds Evens, Blackpool 13/5, draw 5/2 – Match Prices).

Recent form has been solid, if unspectacular, with eight points from their last five fixtures and only one defeat, and victory against Ian Holloway’s men could see them visit the top six.

A couple of home draws have hampered their progress, while the 3-2 victory away at Peterborough was a massive boost for boss Simon Grayson, and he will want to add another three points to the club’s tally when the Tangerines come calling.

And everything points to a Leeds victory as Blackpool have lost three of their past four games, conceding 10 goals in the process.

Away form always looked like it might be a problem for Holloway’s charges after they suffered relegation last term and he has only led his men to one win on their travels to date.

The north west outfit struggle to score away from Bloomfield Road but will face a Leeds side that has already shipped seven goals at their west Yorkshire base.

Leeds are favourites to win this one and are tipped to sneak it by the odd goal.

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Sunday Championship preview

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Two games take place on Sunday in the Championship, starting with Sam Allardyce’s West Ham making the trip to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest. The other game sees Watford host Birmingham, who qualified for the next stage of the Europa League on Thursday evening.

Nottingham Forest v West Ham (13:15)

Two of England’s well established managers clash horns at the City Ground on Sunday as Steve McClaren hosts Sam Allardyce’s West Ham.

West Ham should be taken at 8/5 to get the better of Forest, who have been unconvincing so far in their league campaign.

The Hammers were unfortunate not to hold onto three points at home to Leeds last Sunday – a last minute equaliser from the Yorkshire side shared the spoils at Upton Park. The hosts were on top for large amounts of the game and deserved to pick up three points for their efforts.

Allardyce’s men were clinical on their last trip away from home – dispatching Watford 4-0 in a very impressive display.

You will struggle to find a forward line better than Carlton Cole and John Carew in the Championship. Both players with bags of Premier League experience and proven goalscorers in the top flight.

Cole is a 6/1 shot to score the first goal in the game and looks the obvious choice to open the scoring and add to the two goals he has already scored this season.

The East London club have been boosted by the signing of Sam Baldock ahead of the game. The 22-year old has been very impressive for MK Dons in the past few seasons and will be a key figure in the Hammers fight for promotion back into the Premier League.

West Ham are a 10/1 shot to win the game 2-1 and is the likely correct score as both sides are capable of finding the back of the net.

Watford v Birmingham City (15:00)

Watford have had a miserable start to the Championship campaign so far and it is likely to get worse as Birmingham are 21/10 to get their season up and running with a win at Vicarage Road.

Birmingham are a better side than their league position of 18th suggests, but they have had a tough start to the life in the second tier.

Chris Hughton has a decent squad at his disposal with the right blend of youth and experience. Adam Rooney and Nathan Redmond will both have the opportunity to shine for the Blues this season. The latter, who is 10/1 to score the first goal, scored in Europe on Thursday in their 3-0 victory over Portuguese side Nacional.

Watford’s team got ripped apart in the summer, adding to boss Malky Mackay’s exit to Cardiff, with Will Buckley departing to Brighton and Danny Graham moving to newly-promoted Swansea City.

The side from North London will be one of the favourites to be relegated from the Championship this season and are going to struggle in what is a very competitive league.

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