The EFL Championship is back this weekend, with Friday night’s clash between Queens Park Rangers and Luton Town kicking things off.
Elsewhere this weekend, Sheffield United and Coventry City meet in Saturday’s early game, while Fulham entertain Barnsley shortly after. On Sunday, leaders Bournemouth make the trip to Derby County. Check out our Championship matchday 18 betting preview.
EFL Championship Matchday 18: Best Betting Football Tips
Queens Park Rangers vs. Luton Town: EFL Betting Tip
On Friday night, Mark Warburton’s QPR and Nathan Jones’ Luton meet at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium. With just two points separating the pair in the current Championship table, this could go either way in the capital.
Since a 2-1 loss at Peterborough United last month, QPR are unbeaten in four, though three of those have been draws. Warburton’s boys are sitting pretty in sixth place at present, taking an impressive 26 points from 17 games.
Jones’ Luton have been one of the surprise packages in the Championship this season. The Hatters are just two points away from the play-off positions in 11th place. However, Town head into this one having lost two of their last three, crashing to a 1-0 home reverse to Stoke City last time out.
On paper, there is not a lot to split these two teams. It could go either way, but QPR have been a tough nut to crack at the Kiyan Prince this season. You can get the solid odds of 3/1 for Rangers to win by one goal on home soil.
Queens Park Rangers 13/10
Draw 23/10
Luton Town 43/20
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 3/1 odds taken 1104 GMT, Friday 19 November
Sheffield United vs. Coventry City: Best Football League Betting Predictions
Sheffield United and Coventry go head-to-head at Bramall Lane in Saturday’s early kick off in the Championship. Slavisa Jokanovic’s boys could do with a win, but Mark Robins’ troops, who are in fourth, will be no pushovers in Sheffield.
Sheffield United have made a poor start to their season, sitting in 17th with a mere 19 points to their name. Overall, the Blades have won five, drew four and lost eight. United head into this crucial home fixture having lost five of their previous eight in the league.
Coventry have made a stunning start to their campaign. Against all odds, the Sky Blues have already racked up nine wins from 17 Championship games. Robins’ side are sitting proudly in fourth position at present, four points clear of seventh.
Despite their poor form, Sheffield United are the bookies’ favourites in this one. However, our money is going on the Coventry victory. Check out the tempting odds of 6/1 for the away win and both teams to score.
Sheffield United 26/25
Draw 12/5
Coventry City 11/4
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 6/1 odds taken 1110 GMT, Friday 19 November
Fulham vs. Barnsley: EFL Betting Odds & Predictions
Two teams in contrasting form meet in west London at the weekend, as high-flying Fulham take on struggling Barnsley at Craven Cottage. Everything is pointing towards a comfortable home win, but new Tykes boss Poya Asbaghi will have other ideas.
Since a shock 4-1 loss in Coventry, Marco Silva’s men have bounced back with 18 points from a possible 18. Fulham, who are in second position right now, have secured successive wins over QPR, Cardiff City, Nottingham Forest, West Bromwich Albion, Blackburn Rovers and Peterborough. They will be looking for a seventh victory on the spin this weekend.
Markus Schopp was sacked at Oakwell after seven straight losses. They won the next one but were beaten by Hull City in a relegation six-pointer last time out. Earlier in the week, Asbaghi was appointed new Barnsley manager. The Tykes are in 23rd spot with just 11 points to their name.
In truth, this should be a walk in the park for in-form Fulham, who will be gunning for a seventh consecutive Championship victory. The Whites have kept clean sheets in their last five, and you can get the decent price of 11/10 for the hosts to win to nil once again this Saturday.
Fulham 2/7
Draw 22/5
Barnsley 10/1
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 11/10 odds taken 1112 GMT, Friday 19 November
Derby County vs. Bournemouth: Best EFL Championship Betting Tips on Matchday 18
Wayne Rooney’s Derby and Scott Parker’s Bournemouth do battle at Pride Park on Sunday. This looks a mismatch on paper with the Rams bottom and the Cherries top, but the Championship is one of the most unpredictable leagues in the world. Can Derby cause a big upset on home soil?
County are without a win in seven, although they have drawn five of those. No team in England’s second tier have drawn more games than the Rams. They have been tough to beat at home, with the defeat to Blackburn in their last home match being their only reverse at Pride Park this term.
Parker has settled in at the Vitality Stadium with real aplomb. Bournemouth are sitting pretty at the top of the Championship table after an impressive 12 wins from 17 matches. After suffering their first loss, the Cherries bounced back with a thumping 4-0 home win over Swansea City before the break.
Derby will no doubt have a real go on home turf, but the leaders should get the job done at Pride Park. There is good value in the away win and both teams to score at 7/2.
Derby County 4/1
Draw 5/2
Bournemouth 3/4
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 7/2 odds taken 1120 GMT, Friday 19 November
