With 12 games spread over the weekend, Matthew O'Regan has his EFL Championship Best Bets and Predictions.
Preston vs Sheffield United
Friday night’s Championship bout comes from Deepdale with Preston hosting Sheffield United.
Preston’s unbeaten home record was abruptly ended with a 0-1 loss to Birmingham, leaving Paul Heckingbottom’s side 11th in the table after two straight losses. The 48-year-old will be looking to bounce back against his former side.
He faces his former right-hand man in Chris Wilder who has returned for a third stint in the Blades dugout with the aim of steering clear of relegation. It hasn’t been a smooth start but back-to-back wins has lifted them off the foot of the table and into 21st. There seems to be a feel-good factor around Brammall Lane and there is real belief they can start climbing the league – starting with a positive result at Preston.
Prediction: Sheffield United Draw No Bet - 37/40 - Betano
Coventry vs Watford
A late Mackensie Kirk consolation ruined Coventry’s clean sheet run, but Carl Rushworth still broke the record for the longest time without conceding a goal for the Sky Blues. Frank Lampard’s side are dominating the league and head into this off the back of five straight wins, scoring 16 goals in the process. In fact, Frank Lampard’s side boast a +24-goal difference after just 11 games.
Watford got their first win in Javi Gracia’s second tenure, beating West Brom 2-1 at The Hawthorns. However, away games continue to blight The Hornets who have the worst away record in the league – picking up just two points.
Prediction: Coventry Half Time/Full Time - 5/4 BetMGM
Ipswich vs West Brom
The phrase don’t fix what isn’t broken certainly applies here. Last week I tipped up Isaac Price to score at 31/10 and he duly delivered with a smart finish to put West Brom 1-0 up.
The Northern Irish man now has five goals in 11 starts, averaging 0.48 goals per 90. He is set to start once more against an Ipswich side still reeling from a shock 0-3 midweek defeat to Charlton. The Tractor Boys are struggling defensively, and Price will look to exploit this.
Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals - Evens - BetMGM
Portsmouth vs Stoke
Portsmouth have had a mixed start to the season and enter this game in 17th position after a 1-2 loss to leaders Coventry. John Mousinho’s side have really struggled for goals – only three teams have scored fewer. However, defensively they have been resolute- boasting the second-best defensive record in the league. Their games are averaging just two goals.
Only Middlesbrough (7) have conceded fewer goals than Stoke this season who are sixth in the league. Mark Robins side are also struggling in front of goal – scoring just four times in the last eight, with all eight of these games seeing less than three goals.
Prediction: Under 2.5 Goals - 4/5 - BetNero
Blackburn vs Southampton
Blackburn sunk to yet another defeat midweek to struggling Sheffield United, losing 1-3. It made it five games without a win for Rovers who are still struggling after a mass exodus in the summer. Valerin Ismael’s side are now 23rd in the league, two points from safety. Games at Ewood Park haven’t been short of entertainment, with 3/4 games seeing BTTS.
Southampton have struggled this season despite being billed as one of the favourites for promotion. Will Still’s side succumbed to a 3-1 loss to Bristol City, with his side now sat 18th in the league with just two wins to their name. Defensively they have been poor conceding 15 goals, with BTTS landing in 9/11 and all six away games.
Prediction: Both Teams To Score - 4/5 - QuickBet
Bristol City vs Birmingham
Bristol City’s fine start to the season continued with a 3-1 win over Southampton, lifting them up to fourth in the league. They host a Birmingham side in limbo – 13th in the league.
Scott Twine was the star of the show midweek, scoring two deft chips. The 26-year-old has now scored five goals in 11 games this season and is an appealing price to score yet again.
Prediction: Scott Twine To Score- 14/5 - Betano
Derby vs QPR
QPR ‘s start to the season looks to be going under the radar, perhaps due to the 7-1 drubbing at the hands of Coventry. However, Julien Stephen’s side have started the season strongly, sat in 8th with just one loss in their last eight. In fact, QPR have recorded the most away points (19) since April.
Derby have been poor this season, despite being fancied by many to challenge up the league. Under the guise of John Eustace, the Rams are 19th in the league after scraping past Norwich in midweek after a far from convincing first half performance. This was Derby’s first home win of the season, and they have their work cut out against a strong QPR side.
Prediction: QPR Draw No Bet - 9/10 - BetMGM
Hull vs Charlton
Hull’s chaotic games continued in midweek, beating Leicester 2-1 to make it three wins on the bounce. The Tigers are seventh in the league, scoring 19 goals and conceding 19 with games averaging 3.5 goals. Of their 11 league games a league high nine have seen over 2.5 goals.
Charlton pulled off the shock of the season so far, dismantling Ipswich 0-3 in a clinical second-half display. The result lifted The Addicks up to fifth with Nathan Jones side looking for back-to-back promotions. While the Welshmen is known for his pragmatism, his brave approach paid off at Portman Road so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a similar set up at the KCOM.
Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals - 9/10 - BetMGM
Middlesbrough vs Wrexham
Middlesbrough won again midweek, sweeping Sheffield Wednesday aside to keep them in second place. With just seven goals conceded, they have one of the tightest defences in the league, but Rob Edwards side continue to outperform their xGA – something the visitors will look to exploit.
Nathan Broadhead gave Wrexham their first second tier victory in 43 years. It was the Welshmen’s second goal since arriving from Ipswich in the summer. The 27-year-old is a clinical goalscorer at Championship level, scoring 13 goals in his last campaign with Ipswich.
Prediction: Nathan Broadhead To Score - 19/4 - Betano
Millwall vs Leicester
Millwall put in another strong performance as they emerged 2-0 winners over Stoke, with The Lions defence restricting Stoke to just 0.44 xG. They will have to be on form again to stop a potent Leicester attack – particularly out wide.
Abdul Fatawu and Jeremy Monga are livewires on the wing for the foxes, with Monga winning 1.58 fouls per 90 and Fatawu winning 2.37 per 90. While Zak Sturge is likely to start again at left back, there is a possibility that Joe Bryan comes into the side. The experienced full back had been booked three times and made seven fouls in 377 minutes and looks a big price especially against Fatawu.
Prediction: Joe Bryan To Be Booked - 3/1 - Betano
Sheffield Wednesday vs Oxford
Sheffield Wednesday off-the-field issues continue to blight them on the pitch. A sparse crowd greeted them for their home game against Middlesbrough – their fifth loss from six at Hillsborough.
Oxford United fell to a lacklustre 1-0 loss at Wrexham in midweek but Gary Rowett’s side still sit 20th. While they still struggle on the road, at a despondent Hillsborough, the U’s should run out comfortable winners.
Prediction: Oxford To Win - 6/4 - QuickBet
Swansea vs Norwich
After a strong spell at the end of last season as interim manager, Alan Sheehan was given the permanent managerial gig at Swansea – a decision that looks to be backfiring.
The Swans are sat in 16th with just one win in their last seven. Sheehan’s pragmatic style of play is frustrating supporters – only four teams have scored fewer. However, they boast the best defensive record in the bottom half. Their games have averaged just 1.9 goals.
Liam Manning is also feeling the wrath from Norwich fans. The Canaries are in the bottom three despite expectations of promotion in pre-season. With just one point from the last six, the pressure is building on Manning – so he may take a point from Wales just to stop the rot.
Prediction: Under 2.5 goals - 20/23 - Betano
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