EFL Championship betting expert
Matthew O’Regan gives his best bets and predictions for the Champiopnship games played on October 21st and 22nd.
Blackburn vs Sheffield United-
Further misery was compounded on Blackburn as they were beaten 2-0 at Coventry on the weekend, making it four games without a win for Rovers. Valerin Ismael's side slipped into the relegation zone after another low-scoring affair . Only only one team has scored fewer than their seven - Tuesday's opponents Sheffield United.
The Blades got just their second win of the season on the weekend, scraping past Watford 1-0. Chris Wilder's side have scored just four goals this season and their ten games have seen 20 goals. With ten of these goals coming in two games, United games are typically low scoring - something that should repeat itself on Tuesday in a relegation scrap.
Prediction: Under 2.5 goals - 7/10 - QuickBet
Derby vs Norwich
Derby were woeful in their 1-0 loss at Oxford United. The Rams were chasing the game from the 25th minute but only managed to muster six shots. A reaction will be expected from John Eustace - especially given his side are yet to win at home. The Derby faithful haven't been shy of entertainment at home, with BTTS landing in 4/5.
Norwich have also had a miserable start to the season, sat just above Tuesday's hosts on goal difference. The Canaries have lost all five home games, so Liam Manning will be relishing the chance to play away, with his side losing just once on their travels. In terms of BTTS- it has landed in 4/5 - only falling short in the 0-2 win over Blackburn, a game in which the hosts accumulated just shy of 2 xG.
Prediction: Both Teams To Score - Evens - BetNero
Hull vs Leicester
Tipped by many for relegation, Hull have perhaps been the surprise package in the Championship, sat on the cusp of the playoffs. The Tigers come into this off the back of impressive wins over Sheffield United (1-0) and Birmingham (2-3). Serej Jakirovic's side are the league entertainers, scoring 17 (the second most in the league) while conceding 18 (the second most in the league.) Hull games are averaging 3.5 goals, so fans in East Yorkshire have been treated.
Sat fourth in the league, Leicester have been the strongest of the promoted teams but fans will be yearning for more. The Foxes have now drawn five of their last six games, failing to find enough to tip the balance in their favour.However, going forward they have been strong, only failing to score in a stalemate with Oxford.
With both teams boasting strong attacking prowess, goals could rain at the KCOM.
Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals - 4/5- Quick Bet
Ipswich vs Charlton
Ipswich were priced as the pre-season favourites for promotion, but the Tractor Boys engine has yet to get purring. Kieran McKenna's side are currently 12th after a dramatic 2-1 loss at table-toppers Middlesbrough. It was their first lost in five, so Ipswich will be keen to bounce back. Despite playing a game less than the rest of the league, only Coventry and Hull have scored more goals than them, with 4/5 home games seeing over 2.5 goals.
Charlton have had a strong return to the Championship after winning the League One playoffs. Nathan Jones side are ninth in the league, knowing a win will put them in the top six. The Addicks will look to sit deep and hit Ipswich on the counter attack, so this has all the makings of a high-scoring affair.
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Prediction: Over 2.5 goals - 22/25 - BetMGM
Millwall vs Stoke
Two teams unexpectedly in the playoff positions face off in South London with Millwall hosting Stoke.
Under Mark Robins, The Potters are extremely hard to beat with their six goals conceded the fewest in the division. With Sorba Thomas and Million Manhoef providing fantastic talent out wide, Stoke play with a lot of width. This has seen them averaging 6.50 corners per game, conceding 5.60 per away game.
It is a similar story for Millwall, who are averaging five corners per home game in the hostile Den. The Lions games are averaging 10.30 corners per game, so the corner line looks low here.
Prediction: Over 10.5 Corners - Evens - Betano
Portsmouth vs Coventry
In what has been a pretty sub par Championship this season, Coventry have been the stand out side and sit top of the league. Frank Lampard has put great emphasis on attack, with his side scoring 2.9 goals per game. The Sky Blues are more than capable of scoring three themselves but up against a Portsmouth side who have scored in 8/10 games, it wouldn't be a surprise to see both teams scoring in an entertaining clash.
Prediction: Over 2.5 goals - 7/10 - Betano
Preston vs Birmingham
After storming to the League One title with a record points tally, many predicted Birmingham to make it back-to-back promotions and return to the Premier League. However, The Blues have found the Championship tough going, sat 17th and with just one win in their last seven. Away from home has been a particular struggle for Chris Davies side whose only away win came against struggling Blackburn.
Preston on the other hand have surprised many with their strong start the season. Paul Heckingbottom's side have lost just twice - both closely fought away games, meaning they are unbeaten at home - a record they will look to maintain against a fragile Birmingham on Tuesday.
Prediction: Preston Draw No Bet -Evens - Pricedup
Bristol City vs Southampton
Southampton's relegation after just 31 games last season was the earlier in Premier League history, giving The Saints plenty of time to prepare for a Championship campaign. The highly sought after Will Still was appointed as new manager and it has been a stuttering start to his English managerial career. While his side have only lost twice, draws have been a constant, with Southampton failing to convert gilt-edged chances. The Saints have lost just once on their travels, with BTTS landing in 5/5 away games.
Despite guiding them to the playoffs, Liam Manning decided to depart Bristol City for Norwich - a decision proving costly for the 40-year-old. Gehrad Struber was hired as his replacement, a manager known for his chaotic style of play. Away from home, the Robins have been almost faultless, winning three and drawing two of their five games on the road. However at home, they won just once - a 4-2 victory over Hull. With BTTS landing in 4/5, goals are expected in the South West.
Prediction: Both Teams To Score and Southampton Double Chance - 7/5 - Betano
Wednesday 22nd October
Swansea vs QPR
After an impressive end to his interim spell in charge, Alan Sheehan was given the Swansea job on a permanent basis. The 39-year-old has had a steady start, guiding his side to 13th. The Swans recruitment in recent years has been innovative with Zan Vipotnik epitomising this with four goals. At home, The Swans have seen BTTS in 4/5 - the exception a 1-0 win over a low-scoring Sheffield United side.
QPR have also impressed with their recruitment, particularly in attacking areas, beating Swansea to the signing of talisman Richard Kone. Julien Stephan is evidently still getting to grips with the English game, with his side the embodiment of inconsistent. With BTTS landing in 5/5 on the road, we should see an end-to-end game in Wales.
Prediction: Both Teams To Score - 17/20 - BetMGM
Watford vs West Brom
Javi Gracia's first game back in the Watford dugout was an unsuccessful one, with his side losing 1-0 to Sheffield United. Callum O'Hare's strike was only the fourth goal The Blades have scored this season, highlights the Hornets fragility at the back - they are yet to keep a clean sheet this season.
West Brom on the other hand are flying under Ryan Mason. The Baggies are fifth in the league, having only failed to score twice. Isaac Price has been their go to man this season. The Northern Irish talisman is in fine fettle, scoring four in his last eight for Northern Ireland as well as four this campaign for West Brom -averaging 0.42 goals per 90.
Prediction: Isaac Price To Score - 31/10 - Betano
Wrexham vs Oxford
After securing a historic triple promotion, Wrexham are looking to make it four. A huge summer outlay saw them amongst the big spenders in the country with the hierarchy setting their sights high. The Red Dragons head into this game without a win in four but have had a tough run, so will be relishing a home game as favourites against Oxford. With 14 goals scored and 16 conceded, Wrexham games are averaging three goals.
Oxford United sit just behind their hosts in 19th with just one away win to their name. With six goals scored and seven conceded in five on the road, The U's are seeing an average of 2.6 goals. The last time these two sides met was in 2013, with Oxford United running out 1-2 winners.
Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals - 20/21- Priced Up
Sheffield Wednesday vs Middlesbrough
A 2-1 defeat at Charlton for Sheffield Wednesday and a win over Watford for Sheffield United saw the Blades leapfrog their city rivals, leaving The Owls at the basement of the table. They host Middlesbrough at what is expected to be a despondent Hillsborough.
Dejphon Chansiri failed to pay his players again in September, so even more intense protests are expected in the Steel City. The fan unrest is having an adverse effect on the players, with Wednesday picking up just one home point, scoring one goal and conceding 14 in 5.
Middlesbrough on the other hand are second in the league after a win on Friday night against Ipswich. Rob Edwards side have lost just once this season and are rightfully heavy favourites against the out-of-sorts hosts.
Prediction: Middlesbrough Win - 7/10 - Betano
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