Now the dreaded international break is over, we have the return of the most unpredictable league in the world - the EFL Championship. Matthew O'Regan has his
betting tips
and predictions for all 12 games.
Middlesbrough vs Ipswich
Friday night’s action comes from North Yorkshire, where Middlesbrough host Ipswich Town.
After making the bold decision to part ways with Michael Carrick in the summer, Boro have made an impressive start to the season, losing just once to sit second in the table. Defensively, they’ve been resolute — their six goals conceded are the fewest in the league. With 12 goals scored and six conceded, their matches have averaged a modest two goals per game.
Ipswich’s approach, meanwhile, is night and day depending on venue. At Portman Road, the Tractor Boys are open and expansive, attacking at every opportunity. Away from home, though, they’re far more pragmatic, often content to grind out a point. Their three away fixtures have produced just five goals in total, compared to 18 across their five home games.
Prediction: Under 2.5 goals- 7/10 - Betano
Oxford United vs Derby
Two sides entrenched in a relegation battle face off at the Kassam Stadium.
Separated by just two points near the foot of the table, this clash already carries the weight of a six-pointer. This season, Gary Rowett has adopted a less pragmatic approach, particularly at home, where his side have scored four and conceded six across four games.
Derby’s only win of the campaign came on the road at West Brom — a 1–0 victory — and they’ve found the net in all but one match so far. Both teams have scored in seven of their nine fixtures.
Prediction: Both Teams To Score- Evens - Priced Up
QPR vs Millwall
QPR and Millwall meet in a clash between two sides praised for their bold and innovative recruitment in recent seasons.
That forward-thinking approach has seen both teams emerge as genuine playoff contenders, separated by just one point and two places in the top half of the table. QPR boast one of the league’s most exciting attacking units, having scored in eight of their nine matches, with both teams scoring in seven of those fixtures.
Millwall, meanwhile, have been just as reliable in front of goal on their travels. Alex Neil’s side have found the net in all four of their away games so far, with BTTS landing in three of them.
Prediction: Both Teams To Score - 37/40- Betano
Southampton vs Swansea
After a stellar loan spell with Sheffield Wednesday last campaign, Shea Charles has found himself to be a mainstay in the Southampton midfield, starting all nine league games so far.
The Northern Ireland international has made 14 fouls in these nine starts, picking up three cards. He was also booked on international duty against Germany. This season, nine centre midfielders have been booked against Swansea’s technically supreme midfield trio.
Prediction: Shea Charles To Be Booked - 12/5 - Betano
Birmingham vs Hull
Ollie McBurnie enjoyed clinical spells at Barnsley, Swansea and Sheffield United, before heading to Las Palmas in Spain, scoring five goals. The Scot is back in England and Yorkshire, signing for Hull City in the summer.
In eight starts, McBurnie has scored six goals and laid on three assists – earning him the Championship September Player of the Month award. Against a Birmingham side who rank as the worst ‘ box defenders’ in the league, the 29-year-old looks primed for another goal to add to his ever-growing collection.
Prediction: Ollie McBurnie To Score - 13/5 - Betano
Charlton vs Sheffield Wednesday
Charlton have had a solid start to the Championship after securing promotion through the League One Playoffs. The Addicks sit mid table with three wins, three draws and three loses. Nathan Jones side are extremely hard to break down – conceding just eight goals so far. If Charlton are to survive, the Valley will need to be a fortress. They have picked up seven points from four home games.
Sheffield Wednesday’s off-the-field problems are well documented – the club may be hit with a winding up order this week – making for grim reading for the Owls faithful. This has affected performances on the pitch with Henrik Pedersen’s side second bottom and seemingly destined for relegation.
Prediction: Charlton Win- 17/25 -BetNero
Coventry vs Blackburn
Coventry have been the stand-out side in the league and the table backs that up. The Sky Blues are top of the league after three wins in a row with an aggregate score of 12-0, with impressive wins over Birmingham and Millwall included. Frank Lampard’s side are averaging three goals scored per game and are blowing teams away with ease.
Blackburn are the visitors to the Ricoh Arena on Saturday. Rovers are sat just outside the relegation zone, with a tumultuous summer clearly affecting performances on the pitch. Last Season, Coventry won both games with an aggregate scoreline of 5-0, so Blackburn could be in for a long afternoon in the West Midlands.
Prediction: Half Time/Full Time- Coventry City 5/4- BetMGM
Norwich vs Bristol City
Saturday’s clash at Carrow Road has extra narrative surrounding it, with Liam Manning set to face the side he departed in the summer. After securing an unlikely playoff spot with Bristol City, manning decided to jump shit to Norwich – a move that is yet to bare fruits.
The Canaries sit 19th after a crushing Derby Day defeat at Portman Road against Ipswich. Things haven’t fared much better at home – Norwich has lost all four games in front of their supporters this season.
Bristol City have started the season well sat in tenth position. The Robins are yet to lose on the road, picking up eight points from four and will fancy their chances of getting at least one in Norfolk.
Prediction: Bristol City Draw No Bet - 37/40 - Betano
Sheff United vs Watford
It has been a disastrous start to the season for Sheffield United after suffering late heartbreak in last seasons playoff final. Five league defeats and just one goal marked the end of Ruben Selles short tenure at Brammall Lane, with fan favourite Chris Wilder brough back for a third time.
Things are yet to improve under the wily Campaigner, with Sheffield United still bottom of the table, losing eight of their nine games. With just three goas scored, United rank last for goals scored and 6/9 games have gone under 2.5 goals.
In news that will shock nobody, Watford are already onto their second manager of the season after sacking Paulo Pezzolano. Popular manager Javi Gracia is back in the dugout and the Spaniard will be determined to keep it tight in his first game. 3/4 Watford away games have gone under 2.5 goals.
Prediction: Under 2.5 Goals - 8/11 - Betway
Stoke vs Wrexham
Stoke have been stuck in the Championship for what feels like an eternity, but under the guise of Mark Robins, they have a genuine chance of returning to the Premier League. The Potters sit fifth in the league, just three points off the automatic promotion places. This owes to their defensive solidity – no team have conceded fewer than Stoke’s six. Of their four home games, three have seen less than three goals for an average of just two goals.
Wrexham are the Championship new boys are a historic triple promotion and the Red Dragons have had a solid start to the season sat four points clear of the relegation zone. Phil Parkinson has become renowned for his pragmatism and will look to grind out a result away at a strong Stoke side.
Prediction: Under 2.5 Goals - 4/5 - Betano
West Brom vs Preston
Ryan Mason has had a strong start to his managerial career with West Brom currently sat on the cusp of the playoffs. The Baggies have been solid defensively with just ten goals conceded but have scored just nine goals – the joint fewest in the top half. Their four home games have seen just six goals, with under 2.5 landing in all four.
Preston have gone under the radar this season and sit fourth in the league under the steady guise of Paul Heckingbottom. North End have conceded just seven goals, with the return of Daniel Iverson crucial to an impressive defensive record. With their games averaging just two goals, unders looks to be the play in the Black Country.
Prediction: Under 2.5 goals- 3/5 - Betano
Leicester vs Portsmouth
Sat third on their return to the Championship, Leicester are hopeful of a return to the Premier League. Marti Cifuntes has been steady in charge of the Foxes and has two of the most exciting wingers in the league in Abdul Fatawu and Jeremy Monga at his disposal.
Because of this and marauding full back Ricardo Pereira, The Foxes tend to play wider – leading to them averaging 7.75 corners at home. With their 3.50 conceded, Leicester home games average 11.25 corners – the third highest in the league. Against a Portsmouth side averaging 9.89 corners per game, we may see a high corner county at the KingPower.
Prediction: Over 9.5 Corners - Betano - 7/10 - Betano
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