The EFL Championship resumes on Friday evening with another entertaining round of football. |
The EFL Championship resumes on Friday evening with another entertaining round of football on the cards. Wolves remain top of the standings after 20 matches with Cardiff on their tail, while the relegation zone consists of Burton Albion, Sunderland and Birmingham. There’s plenty of action to get through this weekend, so let’s jump straight in.
Friday 8 December
21/20 Sheffield United | Draw 23/10 | Bristol City 24/10 (21:45)
Sheffield United will play host to Bristol City in the opening match of the week. The White Wizards have been strong at home with seven wins from 10 matches, while Bristol City have been impressive of late with back-to-back wins. An open, end-to-end game of football is expected with both teams likely to attack the game from the get-go. Both Teams to Score – Yes – is tipped at 13/20.
Saturday 9 December
7/10 Aston Villa | 26/10 | Millwall 7/2 (17:00)
Aston Villa come into this clash unbeaten in their last four matches with three wins, including back-to-back victories on home soil. Millwall are yet to win a game on the road, scoring just five goals and conceding double that amount. The Villains played to a hard-fought 1-1 draw away to Leeds last time out and will be determined to return to winning ways here. The home win should be backed.
15/10 QPR | 47/20 | Leeds 16/10 (17:00)
QPR have been in terrible form in recent weeks with four losses from their last five matches, scoring just three goals and conceding 11 times. Leeds have lacked consistency this season but they have been much better than their opposition. This one is likely to go down to the wire with both sides desperate for the victory. Five of the last six meetings between the sides have produced Under 2.5 Goals and that trend is tipped to continue at 8/10.
13/20 Fulham | 26/10 | Birmingham 38/10 (17:00)
Fulham have been terrible at Craven Cottage this season with just two wins from 10 matches. Birmingham have been below-par on their travels but they look strong enough to pull off an upset on Saturday afternoon. The Blues have won the last two meetings away to Fulham and will be looking to build on that. As much as I want to back them on the straight win, it would be best to play it safe and take them on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 21/20.
26/10 Barnsley | 9/4 | Derby 1/1 (17:00)
Barnsley have been dismal in recent weeks with four consecutive defeats, scoring just once and conceding nine times. Derby have been in top form with three wins from their last four matches and are unbeaten in their last six travels. The Rams are playing with confidence and I just can’t see this game going any other way but in favour of the travelling side. Derby are tipped to claim maximum points at even money.
17/10 Hull | 24/10 | Brentford 14/10 (17:00)
Hull City and Brentford are next up to go toe to toe. The Tigers are without a win in their last seven matches and have lost four of their last six games at home. Brentford have suffered just one defeat in their last six travels and will be the more confident team going into this match. Brentford are coming off a 3-1 home win over Fulham and will be determined to build on that. Back the away team to come out on top.
15/20 Nottingham | 26/10 | Bolton 34/10 (17:00)
Nottingham have been poor in recent weeks with four losses from their last six matches but have been strong at home with four wins from their last five matches. Bolton have managed just three wins from 20 matches and are winless on the road. Nottingham have won the last three meetings at home against Bolton, scoring 10 goals and conceding just once. The home win is tipped confidently.
26/10 Burton Albion | 9/4 | Preston 1/1 (17:00)
Burton Albion are bottom of the table with just three wins from 20 matches, including two losses on the bounce. Preston are unbeaten in their last four games with two wins and also won this meeting 1-0 last term. Burton Albion have lost their last five home matches and that form doesn’t look like improving. It won’t be cut and dry, but Preston are tipped to get up for the win.
4/10 Wolves | 7/2 | Sunderland 13/2 (17:00)
Wolves continue to impress week-in and week-out, bulldozing every team that stand in their way. They have won nine of their last 10 matches, including six wins on the spin, scoring 16 goals and conceding just twice. Sunderland are second from bottom on the standings with a measly two wins from 20 matches and they have lost the last three meetings away to their opponents. The home win should be added to all multiples!
13/20 Middlesbrough | 26/10 | Ipswich 38/10 (17:00)
Middlesbrough have been poor of late with three losses from their last four matches, including two defeats on the bounce. Ipswich have been on the opposite side of the form guide with back-to-back wins. The last eight meetings between these sides have produced 19 goals at an average of 2.3 per game. With that being said, the Totals Goals (Aggregated) market (2-3 goals) looks well worth a punt at 9/10.
21/20 Norwich | 23/10 | Sheffield Wednesday 51/20 (19:30)
Norwich will take on Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday evening at Carrow Road. The hosts are winless in their last seven matches, including five defeats and two draws. Sheffield Wednesday are unbeaten in their last seven games, playing to five stalemates and winning just twice. These sides last met in March with the Owls claiming a thumping 5-1 victory. It won’t be a walk in the park, but I’m backing Sheffield on the (+1) Handicap at 7/10! Get on!
Monday 11 December
7/4 Reading | 22/10 | Cardiff 29/20 (22:00)
The final match of the round pits Reading up against high-flying Cardiff City. The Royals have won back-to-back matches, scoring six goals and conceding just once, while Cardiff have won their last four matches. With both sides coming into this clash on a high, we can expect an entertaining but tight contest. With that being said, I’m backing Under 2.5 Goals at 8/10.
TREBLE @ 4/1
Birmingham Win/Draw 21/20
Nottingham Win 15/20
Wolves Win 4/10
Written by Aaron Crowie