Two former England managers go head-to-head in the stand out fixture in the Championship this Saturday, as Nottingham Forest entertain Leicester in a big Midlands derby. A lot is expected from both Steve McClaren and Sven Goran Eriksson, who will come out at the City Ground? We take a look at this Saturday‘s fixtures and try and work out the best bets in an unpredictable league.

Nottingham Forest v Leicester

Both teams have not started as they would have hoped, with both in the bottom half of the table after just one win in their opening three games.

Leicester have recorded back-to-back home defeats and the Championship’s big spenders need to respond.

Forest, meanwhile, have scored just one goal in their opening three league fixtures and have brought in Matt Derbyshire and Ishmael Miller to try and resolve the issue.

The home support may work against the home side and don’t be surprised if Leicester bounce back in fine style.
Leicester to win @ 19/10.

Southampton v Millwall

Saints top the table after three matches and are already looking like a promoted team that will be towards the top end of the table rather than struggling against the drop. Even the exit of Alex Chamberlain has done little to scupper the St Mary’s hopes.

Despite picking up five points in three games, Millwall have been leaking too many goals and that will probably be their Achilles heel.
Lambert to score at anytime @ 6/5.

Brighton v Blackpool

The Seagulls seem to have taken to their new ground like a duck to water and they’re away form has been impressive as well – with wins at Portsmouth and Cardiff.

This will prove a stern test, though, against a Blackpool team capable of bouncing back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Kevin Phillips has found his goalscoring boots, so the rest of the league better watch out!
Draw/Draw HT/FT @ 4/1.

Derby v Doncaster

Nigel Clough’s men have been one of the surprise packages of the season so far, having been stuck in a relegation fight for much of last term.

The Rams have picked up maximum points from their opening three games and have kept clean sheets in their last two matches.

Doncaster have been hit hard by two key injuries, to Billy Sharp and James Coppinger, and an already thin squad is struggling to cope in their absence with Rovers currently bottom.
Derby to win @ 5/6.

Burnley v Cardiff

Both teams challenged for the play-offs last season, but it’s hard to know how the much-changed sides will progress this term.

Cardiff look to have the stronger of the two squads and look more dangerous away from home when they can hit teams on the break. Kenny Miller and Rob Earnshaw could prove too much to handle for a Clarets backline that is leaking goals.
Draw/Cardiff HT/FT @ 5/1.

Hull v Crystal Palace

The Tigers’ poor home form has followed a familiar path from last season and two KC defeats to Blackpool and then Macclesfield in the Carling Cup don’t bode well.

But Nigel Pearson’s squad should be strong enough to beat a Palace team, who despite sitting sixth, will rely heavily on their home form this season.
Koren to score at anytime @ 3/1.

Bristol City v Portsmouth

These two teams sum up this division – entertaining and unpredictable!

Having lost their opening two matches heavily, City bounced back with an unlikely win at Leicester.

Pompey meanwhile, have won one, drawn one and lost one of their opening three matches.

Nicky Maynard is the stand out player in this one, although Dave Kitson’s height is likely to cause the home team problems at the back.
Maynard – First Goalscorer @ 5/1.

Coventry v Watford

Both of these two teams sit in the bottom three at present – Coventry have lost all three of their matches to date while Watford have just one point from a possible nine.

Watford have a better squad on paper, but Coventry are always difficult to break down and may have enough to sneak a win.
Coventry to win @ 11/8.

Reading v Barnsley

The Royals are still trying to bounce back from the loss of key players Matt Mills and Shane Long, but they should have too much for a struggling Barnsley outfit.

Keith Hill accepted the Tykes were beaten at home by a much better team in Middlesbrough in midweek, so a trip to the Madejski looks a daunting prospect.
Reading to win 2-0 @ 11/2

Peterborough v Ipswich (5:20pm)

Darren Ferguson’s men have surprised many with their solid start to the new campaign, with four points from their opening three games. Posh have plenty of goals in them, but so do Ipswich and this could be a high scoring affair.

Michael Chopra got two on the opening day and is due another goal this weekend.
Chopra to score at anytime @ 3/2.

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