The top three teams in the Championship are all in action on Saturday, but will that trio maintain their solid start to the season? The unpredictable division offers punters the chance to find big price winners and and search out another few upsets this weekend.
Middlesbrough v Coventry
It’s third versus second bottom at the Riverside on Saturday and the home side will be confident of continuing their unbeaten start to the season.
Boro, who won this fixture 2-1 last season, look a different side this term despite losing players during the transfer window.
Although Marvin Emnes has got most of the headlines following his early-season goal flurry, Tony Mowbray’s defence has to take a lot of credit – conceding just four goals in six league and cup games.
Coventry, on the other hand, have picked up just one points from their opening four league games.
Boro/Boro HT/FT @ 11/8.
Derby v Burnley
The Rams have turned their fortunes around from last season’s struggles and have won their last three games without conceding a goal.
Nigel Clough’s men face another stern test though this Saturday, against a Burnley team that did the double over the Rams last season.
The Clarets have been hampered by early-season injuries, but they are a better side than their league position suggests and are capable of turning the form table upside down.
Draw @ 11/5.
Leicester v Southampton
League leaders Saints face their stiffest test yet this weekend, when they make the journey to the midlands to face big-spenders Leicester.
Nigel Adkins’ side look to have enough quality in their squad to mount a promotion challenge this term and their strike force, of Rickie Lambert, David Connolly and Adam Lallana, are a real handful.
But, although they have struggled at home so far this season, Leicester will prove a tough nut to crack. They showed signs of improvement at Nottingham Forest last week and they must get back to winning ways soon.
Leicester to win @ 6/5.
Brighton v Peterborough
These two teams met in League One last season and not many would have expected them to be in the top stage at this early stage.
Brighton won both meetings last term and will again be fancied by many to collect the three points here.
Gus Poyet’s men look to have that little bit of extra quality and Craig Mackail-Smith will be desperate to score against his former club.
Mackail-Smith to score at anytime @ 6/5.
Crystal Palace v Blackpool
The Eagles go into this game on the back of four straight wins and are always a difficult team to beat at Selhurst Park. Dougie Freedman has tightened things up at the back and Palace don’t look to be missing last season’s star man, Neil Danns, in the middle of the park.
You can guarantee goals with Blackpool, though, and Ian Holloway’s men are likely to put a dent in Palace’s goal against column.
Draw @ 12/5.
Ipswich v Leeds
There has been early season pressure on both of these two teams, but both struggling to make an impact in the opening four matches. Ipswich, in particular, have been leaking goals and losing matches ? with a 7-1 defeat at Peterborough fresh in the memory.
Leeds were much better at West Ham last week, but will have to contend with some new additions at Portman Road ? with Jimmy Bullard and Daryl Murphy joining Town in midweek.
Ipswich/Draw HT/FT @ 14/1.
Hull v Reading
There is a battle of two recent Premier League teams at the KC Stadium and this is another game where early-season pressure could have an impact.
The Tigers home form is shocking, with defeats in their three fixtures at the KC this season.
Reading have not fared much better and a midweek Carling Cup defeat at the hands of League One Charlton, will not have helped confidence in the Royals camp.
1-1 draw @ 6/1.
Portsmouth v Cardiff
Cardiff won home and away against Pompey last season, but this fixture will be a much tougher test for the man from Wales.
Steve Cotterill has made the south-coast outfit difficult to beat, but they now need to find goals from somewhere – with just one in their last four games.
The Bluesbirds have plenty of goals in them, but they have also been shipping plenty.
Benjani has rejoined Pompey this week and he could play a key role in their progress.
Pompey to win @ 11/8.
Doncaster v Bristol City
Both of these teams are likely to be battling it out at the bottom end of the table and, even at this stage of the season, three points here could be crucial.
Both teams have leaked goals and although they have four points more than Rovers, City were dumped out of the Carling Cup by lower league opposition, Swindon, in midweek. Home advantage could be the key.
Doncaster to win @ 5/4.
Millwall v Barnsley
The Lions have made a solid start to the season and are unbeaten at the New Den so far this term. Millwall won this fixture 2-0 last term and look likely to seal another three points.
Despite a shock win at Reading last week, it would be a major surprise it the Tykes could secure back-to-back away wins.
Millwall to win 2-0 @ 13/2.
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The Champions League returns this week with two games on Tuesday night and Tottenham face another trip to the San Siro, this time to take on seven-time winners of the competition AC Milan (both 22/1 in the outright betting) in the first leg of their last-16 clash, while Valencia also host Schalke at the Mestalla.
QPR suffered their first Championship defeat of the season last weekend when they were played off their own Loftus Road ground by Watford, but they face a tough ask to bounce back on Saturday as a trip to Leeds looms on the horizon (QPR 5/6 – Championship Outright).