Championship Tips & Odds – 3rd November 2018
Another round of Championship action rolls along on the weekend. The action starts on Friday night with Aston Villa v Bolton and will round off on Sunday with Wigan v Leeds. There are some big clashes coming in the Saturday 3pm kick offs as the battle for the top six is super competitive. Last weekend all of the current top ten managed to avoid defeat.
Brentford v Millwall
It is a three-match losing streak that Brentford have put together in the Championship after going down against Norwich last weekend. That is an eight-match winless streak of form that they have put together now in the league. Surprisingly during that run, they have only failed to score in two of them. Those winning touches just aren’t there for the Bees though. Millwall have started to put things together a little bit as they have won three of their last four games. There’s a caveat to that though as those wins were all a the Den. The Lions haven’t won away from home this season yet and have lost five of their last six on the road.
The 1-1 draw ticks all of our boxes in this one at 11/2 odds* (betting odds taken on November 1st, 2018 at 6:47 pm)
Derby v Birmingham
Frank Lampard’s Derby had a big run out in a frenetic EFL Cup tie at Chelsea in midweek which they lost 3-2. They did play well in the game and most certainly had their chances. Back in the Championship they have put together a five-match undefeated streak of form now (W2 D3) and have lost just one of their last eight. So they are ticking over nicely and they are W4 D2 in their last six at Pride Park. Overall though, their defence has been lacking as they don’t have a clean sheet in any of their last seven league outings. So Birmingham could be in with a shot in this one. The Blues have had the benefit of an extra rest and they are undefeated in their last eleven league games, winning their last four.
Because of Derby’s extra midweek efforts, a Birmingham-Draw Double Chance at 5/6 is fantastic value.
Sheffield Wednesday v Norwich
It is just not happening for the Owls at the moment as a 3-1 loss at Birmingham last weekend saw them slump to a three-match losing streak in the second tier. That’s at least two goals conceded in four of their last five games as well. They haven’t put a win on the board in any of their last four at Hillsborough either. Norwich look like a very bright and confident side at the moment and they have form with seven wins in their last nine league games. They have gone W3 D1 in their last four road games. They have more than enough fuel and positivity to earn themselves an away win on the weekend.
Norwich at 13/10 odds-against for this trip to the out-of-form Owls is our prediction for this one* (betting odds taken on November 1st, 2018 at 6:47 pm)
Nottingham Forest v Sheffield United
Forest got themselves a good point out at Leeds last weekend and they continue to move along nicely. They are heading into the weekend in seventh place in the table. They will be looking for a home response though after suffering a 2-1 loss against Norwich in their last home game. That is their only defeat at the City Ground this season though. This will not be an easy game for the Tricky Trees as they welcome the Blades who have enough power and form in them to chop them down to size. The Blades won an entertaining scrap with Wigan last weekend 4-2 at home. They have won four of their last six away games. However, they have lost both trips to sides currently stat in the top six (derby and Middlesbrough).
We are going to back the small trend of the Blades misfiring on the road at top clubs by backing the straight home win at 13/10 odds* (betting odds taken on November 1st, 2018 at 6:47 pm).
