ENGLAND: Championship

England Championship betting picks and discussion

Official league website: efl.com/

Middlesbrough - Sheffield

PICK: MIDDLESBROUGH @1.750 5/10

On the 29. match day relegated Middlesbrough which is on the 8th position in the league (44 points) will play on home ground against Sheffield Wednesday which is on the league's 17th position (32 points). The season league home record of Middlesbrough is 7-2-5 while the season league away record of Sheffield Wednesday is 3-5-6. Comparing the home matches of Middlesbrough versus the away matches of Sheffield Wednesday (28 in total) there have been 46% home wins, 25% draws and 29% away wins (13-7-8). The record of Middlesbrough's last 6 matches is 4-0-2 and for Sheffield Wednesday it's 1-2-3. There are 5 recent encounters between these two teams with Middlesbrough on home ground (2012-2017) and the record for that team is 3-1-1. The statistics clearly indicate a win for Middlesbrough who can't accept anything less in this home match if they are serious about reaching the promotion playoff spots this season.

betblog.com/picks/447642...dlesbrough-sheffield-wed

Cardiff celebrated a return to the Premier League as a 0-0 draw against Reading proved enough to give manager Neil Warnock a record eighth career promotion.

A draw left Cardiff sweating on Fulham's result at Birmingham, but news of the Cottagers' 3-1 defeat began to filter through before the final whistle to kick start the party in the Welsh capital.

The scoreline also guaranteed Reading another season in the Sky Bet Championship, although results elsewhere meant the Royals would have been safe even had they lost for the fourth successive game.

This will be a day long remembered in Cardiff as the Bluebirds nervously crossed the line back into the Premier League, their only previous stay being a one-season stop in 2013-14.

It was rarely pretty, as has often been the way this season from a side that Warnock has shaped in his no-nonsense image.

But no-one can dispute the spirit and resilience of a squad Warnock has put together on a relative shoestring and one that has mustered 90 points from 46 league games.

Reading reached the play-offs last season under Jaap Stam but it has been a miserable season in Berkshire.

Stam departed in March to leave Paul Clement with the task of keeping Reading in the division, something which was thrown into grave doubt by last week's capitulation at home to Ipswich.

FULHAM VS DERBY PREDICTIONS
Fulham to Win at 7/10
Fulham 2-1 at 15/2

Really excited about lampards managerial debut hope he starts with a win against Reading

Not a bad start, winning from 1-0 down and Derby scoring a 94 minute winner.

QPR are bloddy terrible loool. 4 Games 4 losses. The recent two being 7-1 to West Brom and 0-3 to Bristol City.

Steve McLaren is such a horrible manager

Leeds are going up. no doubt in my mind. That attack is beautiful

Made some observations for Championship games tomorrow

Aston Villa vs Brentford

Both teams look in good form but I have my doubts. Villa havent been convincing since the Hull game, picking up two narrow wins against Wigan and Yeovil in the cup. Couldnt beat 10 men struggling Ipswich. Brentofrd have been goal happy but I look at who they played. Not a good Rotherham side, struggling Stoke, Lower league Southend in the cup and an out of form Sheffield Wednesday. It's a good test for both sides, I think the more convincing Brentford may steal a win here. Personally I think 1-1 draw.

Blackburn vs Reading

Blackburn's return to the Championship has been relatively successful so far no losses 1 win and a chance to get into playoff spots with a win here. Blackburn started with a 2-2 at Ipswich, a game they could've won given Ipswich struggles, then they picked up a decent point against a strong Millwall side, battered Carlisle in the cup and beat Hull away from home to pick up their first league win which was a good result. I think Blackburn are looking alright and this is a good chance at a win against a horrible looking Reading. 3 Games 3 losses in the league, they did win against Birmingham in the cup but thats the only positive. they even lost to Bolton at home... I think Blackburn wins 2-0

Norwich vs Preston

Neither team really stands out here. Norwich have had a poor start to the season just 1 point so far. Leaky defensively, lost 3-4 to West Brom and 2-1 to Sheffield United, also drew 2-2 with Birmingham and beat League Two's Stevenage 3-1 with 2 late goals. Clearly shows that Norwich can't defend 8 conceded goals in 3 league games and allowed a league two side to put one past them. Going forward Norwich been on fire to be fair. Pretty high scoring, leaky team. Preston have been a little better they have one win one draw and one loss in the league and beat Morecambe 3-1 in the cup. In the league they beat awful QPR 1-0, lost to a good swansea side away 1-0 and drew with Stoke 2-2. It's been up and down so far some high scoring games, some low scoring games. I think we'll see goals here given the opponent Preston are facing. Expect an entertaining game here and I think it could go either way. Over 2.5 and even 3.5 goals are my picks for betting. I reckon a 2-2 draw, possibly someone may snatch and win this 3-2.

Sheffield Wednesday vs Millwall

Sheff Wed look awful so far. One point in the league but they did face some decent in form sides firstly Wigan losing to them 3-2, then there was a disappointing 1-1 draw at home against Hull and then they lost 2-0 to promotion chasing Brentford. Also beat Sunderland in the cup 0-2. Defensively, it's been a bit of a struggle in the league and not winning any games should surely have a dent in their confidence and coming up against a good side it's a must they fix it. Millwall are undefeated so far 1 win 2 draws. They somehow blew a 2-0 lead against top of the league Middlesbrough at the start, then drew 0-0 with Blackburn who are in decent form and it was away and eventually Milwall beat a decent Derby side 2-1. Also beat Gillingham in the cup on pens which was a little suspect from them. I think Millwall have faced really tough sides so far and made a decent start, on this day they are in better form and I believe they will win this game 0-2.

Bolton vs Birmingham

I've been very surprised with Bolton, they came as underdogs into every game so far and have picked up 7 pts out of 9. They first beat West Brom 1-2 away which was a very shocking result, then drew Bristol City 2-2 and won another away game at struggling Reading 0-1. Also lost 2-1 to Bielsa's Leeds in the cup but theres no shame losing to current Leeds. i gotta say Bolton have been relatively impressive so far and have exceeded my expecations well as of now. Now there's another good chance at 3 points as they host a very struggling winless Birmingham. Birmingham did face two promotion chasing sides however in swansea and boro where they picked up 1 point from, they also drew with struggling Norwch and lost to struggling Reading in the cup which instantly tells me that they are not in any way playing well right now. I think on current form and with the home advantage, Bolton will pick up 3 points here with a 2-1 win

Stoke vs Wigan

Two teams that have been involved in a lot of high scoring games. Stoke lost to Leeds to begin 3-1, then had two draws with in form Brentford 1-1 and a decent Preston side away from home 2-2. No wins so far for Stoke, they didnt play in the cup midweek so they had a whole week to prepare for this. Sure, opponents have been tough but defensively Stoke look absolutely shocking already conceding 6 goals in 3 games. Two over 3.5 games out of 3 so. Meanwhile Wigan are also high scoring and leaky. All 4 of Wigan's games this season have hit over 3.5 including the cup tie with Rotherham where they lost 3-1. Wigan also beat Shef Wed 3-2, lsot to Villa 3-2 and drew with Notts Forest 2-2. I really wouldn't be surprised if over 3.5 goals were hit again with these sides involved, it only seems right. As for a winning team I think Stoke will pick up their first win and will win 3-2 in a very entertaining game

Thanks @amoser for this great previews for all today's Championship matches. It will help me a lot so save some time during the analysis.

What do you think about over from the game between Stoke and Wigan? Both teams have problems in defense and they have alreday conceded 6 and 7 goals. I think we can see 2-1, 2-2

I like the odds for o2.5, i'd say it should be like 1.60 but they're 1.85. I Also see ton of value in over 3.5. I think 3-2 Stoke

Stoke are tragic defensively. my goodness

96th Minute goal for Aston Villa to make it 2-2. Unreal drama at Villa Park

Stoke's return to the Championship so far.
Game 1 - Leeds 3-1 Stoke
Game 2 - Stoke 1-1 Brentford
Game 3 - Preston 2-2 Stoke
Game 4 - Stoke 0-3 Wigan

GS 4
GA 9
GD -5

2 Points out of 12
League Position - 22nd (Relegation Zone)

Friday Night Clash - Middlesbrough vs West Brom

A really interesting game here between two sides who have hopes of reaching promotion. Middlesbrough are currently 2nd in the Championship while West Brom are 7th but have hit some really good form after failing to win the first two games. West Brom crazily enough already have two games where they hit over 6.5 goals! They beat Norwich 3-4 away and QPR 7-1 in their last two games and all it tells me is they are on incredible goal scoring form right now. 13 goals in total in the league, they have conceded 7 though so at the back they're a bit up and down. Boro are slighty less high scoring and and a better defensive side keeping3 clean sheets in a row in the league after conceding 2 in the opening day to Millwall. Boro are 2nd with 3W 1D 0L so their form is fantastic right now. It's a tricky game in terms of betting because these are two very evenly matched sides. I think BTTS is a winnable bet, West Brom's attacking powers are more than capable to break down Boro's strong defence and Boro themselves playing at home should surely get at least one goal against suspect West Brom backline. I think this game could have an over 2.5 too.

Not going to go too deep with the games tomorrow, but here's a few picks from me (TonyBet odds)

Villa -Reading - Villa -1 AH @2.00 - Villa chasing promotion, looked a bit suspect recently but a good chance here because Reading are playing horrible, only 1 pt so far and managed to blow a 2 goal lead midweek so spirits are low you'd suspect.

Bolton vs Sheffield United - Bolton Win @3.90 - I just see value here, Bolton have made a fantastic start to the season surprisingly have 3 Wins 1 draw 0 losses and sit third. Sheff Utd are midtable right now with 2W 2D. I just think there's value for an in form team playing at home.

Norwich vs Leeds - Leeds Win @2.55 - Leeds look great, Bielsa's men are goal scoring happy, beat some good teams already including smashing Derby 1-4, Stoke 3-1 and picking up a decent draw at Swansea 2-2. Norwich are not a good defensive side so far this season and with Leeds goal scoring form I wouldn't be surprised if they anhilated Norwich. Kinda something like 1-3/1-4

QPR vs Wigan - Wigan win @2.15, Over 2.5 Goals @1.80 - QPR are horrible, 0 wins 4 losses can't defend, McLaren showing again why he's a horrible coach and their recent two results were 7-1 losses to WBA and 0-3 to Bristol City. Wigan have hit an over 2.5 all 4 times, over 3.5 3 times and are coming off a good win over Stoke winning 0-3 away from home. I think Wigan dominates and wins 1-3.

Derby vs Preston - over 2.5 Goals @2.20 - Decent odds, Derby have shown to be sloppy at the back against better teams, Preston are a decent side and could definitely get one or two goals if Derby continue to look average at the back. Derby themselves under Lampard and assistant coach Morris like to attack, already had put in some decent attacking performances and I think they'll get 2 at least. I expect something like a 2-1 game.


These games will also be played - Blackburn-Brentford, Sheff Wed-Ipswich, Stoke-Hull, Forest-Birmingham, Swansea-Bristol City. I haven't really picked anything out from that. The picks that I shared are my top picks for the weekend

Bielsa's Leeds are AMAZING

Leeds vs Middlesbrough tonight. Can't wait two top teams

West Brom to beat Birmingham is a good pick today. West Brom are much better in my opinion and have promotion aspirations while Birmingham havent even won a game