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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AC Milan v Spurs

These two sides enjoyed contrasting fortunes in the group stages with Spurs defying all the doubters to win Group A which included defending champions Inter, losing just one game and ending the phase as the tournament’s joint-leading scorers with 18.

Milan, though, made it through as a runner-up to Real Madrid with the fewest number of points as a qualifier, just eight, while they were the joint-lowest scorers of those teams that made it after mustering just seven goals.

The Italian powerhouse have struggled against English opposition since last lifting the trophy in 2007, having been beaten at this stage by Arsenal in 2008 and Manchester United by an aggregate 7-2 last year, while they were also held to a draw by Portsmouth in the UEFA Cup group stages in 2008/09.

However, it is hard to see that run continuing this week and Milan look good value at 8/11 in the match betting to at least establish a first-leg lead with a win.

Milan have found their form since the turn of the year and are unbeaten in 2011, preparing for this clash with a 4-0 demolition of Parma at the San Siro last Saturday to maintain a three-point lead at the top of Serie A as the Rossoneri look for their first domestic league title since 2004.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (4/1 to score the first goal) has found a new lease of life at Milan, leading the goal-scoring charts with 18 for the season, and will head a quality attacking triumvirate alongside the Brazilian duo of Alexandre Pato and Robinho.

There are one or two injury worries for coach Massimiliano Allegri as Andrea Pirlo and Massimo Ambrosini are ruled out, while January arrivals Antonio Cassano, Mark van Bommel and Urby Emanuelson are cup-tied.

However, Spurs have greater problems over selection despite the return of Rafael van der Vaart and will struggle to contain the Rossoneri on Tuesday.

Gareth Bale’s impressive performances against Inter in the group stages catapulted him into the transfer limelight but he has been ruled out of the first leg as he has not recovered from a back problem.

Although the Wales ace scored a hat-trick on Spurs’ last trip to the San Siro, it should be worth noting that the visitors were played off the park in the first half, trailing 4-0 at the break, and ultimately lost the match, albeit 4-3.

Playmaker Luka Modric is also a major doubt following appendicitis, Peter Crouch is struggling with a back injury and Jermaine Jenas is suspended – while Tom Huddlestone, Ledley King and Younes Kabboul are long-term absentees.

Spurs go into the game on the back of a three-match Premier League winning streak but have been eking out results rather than dominating – and look set to struggle against an in-form Milan outfit.

Valencia v Schalke 04

Valencia do not boast a great record against German opposition but are the form side going into this encounter and look worthy 7/10 favourites in the match betting on Tuesday, with Schalke on offer at 18/5 and the draw at 13/5.

Los Che have failed to win any of their last six home games against German sides, drawing five and losing one, with Schalke holding the hosts to a goalless affair in 2007/08 in the Champions League group stages.

However, Unai Emery’s men have gone on a six match-winning streak since a 4-2 reverse against Villarreal in the Copa del Rey and have now climbed to third in the table.

Schalke’s form domestically has been erratic, although they have been creeping up the table after an awful start to the campaign.

Felix Magath’s men were able to put their Bundesliga troubles behind them in the group stages, topping Group B after winning four matches and losing just one.

Valencia’s recent form has been too good to ignore though, and after warming up with a 2-1 at Atletico Madrid, they are expected to edge a low-scoring affair (Under 2.5 goals at 8/13).

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QPR

Leeds v QPR

Rangers’ last win at Elland Road came back in the 1995/96 season when both clubs were still in the Premier League, with Danny Dichio steeling the headlines with a brace in a 3-1 win.
Three trips north since have seen the Hoops pick up just a point and the league leaders will do well to improve on that against a side that have not lost at home in almost two months.

Bet Advice: Draw HT / Leeds FT @ 9/2

Cardiff v Burnley

If QPR slip up, then Cardiff will be confident of pegging them back when they come up against Burnley, who threw a 2-0 half-time lead last week at home to Leeds.
The Clarets have not tasted victory away from Turf Moor this term and that record will not be improved on in the Principality.

Bet Advice: Cardiff to win @ Evens

Sheffield United v Swansea

The Swans will also be looking to stay on the coat tails of the leaders at Bramall Lane, as they face a Blades outfit which lost boss Gary Speed this week to the Welsh job.
United average a goal a game at home and that will not be good enough against the visitors.

Bet Advice: Swansea to win @ 6/4

Coventry v Norwich City

These two occupy the final play-off places and will fancy their chances of staying there on the final day of reckoning in May.
The Sky Blues are overdue a home draw and the Canaries will be good for at least a point at the Ricoh Arena.

Bet Advice: Draw @ 23/10

Ipswich v Leicester

The Foxes have been boosted ahead of the trip to Portman Road after being reassured boss Sven-Goran Eriksson does not want the Blackburn job.
The Walkers Stadium outfit will have more reason to celebrate when they have put Roy Keane?s free-falling outfit to the sword by the odd goal.

Bet Advice: Leicester to win 2-1 @ 8/1

Derby v Reading

The Royals will fancy their chances at Pride Park against a Rams side who have lost four out of their last six games, with wins coming against strugglers Ipswich and Scunthorpe.
So take Brian McDermott’s side to nick it and secure their third away win to move into the top half of the table.

Bet Advice: Reading to win @ 19/10

Watford v Preston

This meeting at Vicarage Road has score draw written all over it, with both sides finding some decent form of late.
North End are still rock bottom but are unbeaten in three – taking five points in the process, while the Hornets beat QPR last time out and have no lost in four matches.

Bet Advice: Draw 2-2 @ 12/1

Portsmouth v Scunthorpe

Pompey have been hard to beat at home and have got back to winning ways after a slight wobble, however next-to-bottom Scunny have already won five on the road so represent danger.
There should be goals in this one and both teams to score looks nailed on.

Bet Advice: Both Teams To Score @ 8/11

Hull v Bristol City

The Tigers are currently enjoying a five-game unbeaten run which they are putting on the line against a Robins side also in form.
Home advantage should count in this one, although goals have been in short supply at both ends at the KC Stadium this season.

Bet Advice: Hull to win 1-0 @ 13/2

Doncaster v Middlesbrough

As a curtain-raiser for the weekend’s Championship action, the fixture planners could have chose a tastier game for Friday evening.
Both sides would have expected to be in the top half at the halfway point of the season, but it hasn’t worked out like that.

Bet Advice: Draw @ 12/5

Millwall v Barnsley

Just as Donny and Boro are under-achieving, the Lions and Tykes are enjoying decent seasons however the Yorkshiremen’s poor away record goes against them here.

Bet Advice: Millwall to win @ 20/23

Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace

Palace like playing at Selhurst Park this season, which is just as well because they have been lousy on the road so far.
Forest are unbeaten on their own patch and although that won?t last it will do for the rest of the year.

Bet Advice: Forest HT/Forest FT @ 13/10

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