We have reached matchday 20 in the EFL Championship. This weekend, the final round of second-tier fixtures before Christmas will take place, starting with Friday’s game between Preston North End and Bristol City. League leaders Norwich City kick off Saturday’s action with a tasty home game against Cardiff City. Check out our in-depth Championship betting preview.
EFL Championship Matchday 20: Best Betting Football Tips
Preston North End vs. Bristol City: EFL Betting Tip
Two sides in patchy form go head-to-head at Deepdale on Friday, as Alex Neil’s Preston host Dean Holden’s Bristol City. The Lilywhites have won just two home league matches this season, while the Robins have lost four of their past six.
Preston are one of the best away teams in the Championship, but Neil’s boys have really struggled at home. In fact, just seven of their 23 points have come at Deepdale. However, North End have improved on their own patch in recent games, winning two of the past four.
On the whole, Holden has made a good start to life as Bristol City manager. However, the Robins have been very inconsistent of late, losing four of their last six. Like Preston, Bristol City have also lost their previous two, losing 2-0 to both Rotherham United and Millwall.
With neither side in good form, we fancy this one to end all square at Deepdale on Saturday. The draw and both teams to score at 7/2 is standing out.
Preston North End 27/20
Draw 23/10
Bristol City 11/5
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 7/2 odds taken 0825 GMT, Friday 18 December
Norwich City vs. Cardiff City: Best Football League Betting Predictions
Leaders Norwich and in-form Cardiff clash in a Christmas cracker in the Championship at Carrow Road on Saturday afternoon. The Canaries will be Christmas number one if they get a point in this one, but Daniel Farke’s men will be gunning for all three.
Norwich have been in stunning form of late, winning each of their last four since a shock defeat at Kenilworth Road at the start of the month. Farke’s boys have won 12 of their opening 19 and are three points clear of second and six above third.
Cardiff have hit their own purple patch of form of late, winning five of their last six in the Championship to move to within three points of the play-offs. After last weekend’s disappointment in the South Wales derby, the Bluebirds struck back with a 3-2 home win over Birmingham City on Wednesday.
Cardiff, who have won their last two on the road, will no doubt be tough opponents for Norwich, but the leaders should come out on top on home turf. Check out the solid odds of 11/4 for the home team to win by one goal.
Norwich City 11/10
Draw 49/20
Cardiff City 13/5
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 11/4 odds taken 0901 GMT, Friday 18 December
Brentford vs. Reading: EFL Betting Odds & Predictions
Two evenly matched teams lock horns in west London at the weekend, as Thomas Frank’s Brentford take on Veljko Paunovic’s Reading at the Brentford Community Stadium. The Bees occupy the final play-off place at present, with the Royals a position and a point ahead in fifth.
Brentford have been on a remarkable unbeaten run over the last couple of months or so. Since a 3-2 loss to Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium on October 24th, the Bees have not lost for 12 games. However, they have had too many draws for Frank’s liking, with seven of those 12 ending all square.
Reading took the Championship by storm in the early weeks, but the Royals have lost momentum of late. Wednesday’s 2-1 home loss to Norwich was their second reverse in three games. Reading head into this one having lost six of their last 11 in the Championship.
With this one taking place at the Brentford Community Stadium, we can see the Bees picking up all three points. The 2-1 home win at 7/1 with Unibet looks a decent bet.
Brentford 7/10
Draw 13/5
Reading 9/2
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 7/1 odds taken 0910 GMT, Friday 18 December
Luton Town vs. Bournemouth: Best EFL Betting Tips on Matchday 20
Jason Tindall’s Bournemouth are chasing down Norwich at the top. Currently, the Cherries are just three points behind the Canaries. This Saturday, Bournemouth will be hoping to add another three points to their impressive tally when they take on Luton at Kenilworth Road.
The Hatters have made a steady start to their season under Nathan Jones. They have struggled away from home, but Luton have beaten Norwich and Preston (scoring six, conceding one) in their last two at Kenilworth Road.
Bournemouth still have a Premier League squad, and Tindall’s troops will be targeting an instant return to the top flight. The south coast club have made an excellent start, winning ten of their opening 19. Since a 3-2 home loss to Preston, the Cherries have taken ten points from a possible 12.
In their last two, Tindall’s side have beaten Huddersfield 5-0 and Wycombe Wanderers 1-0. We are backing the high-flyers to win to nil (21/10) for a third successive game on Saturday.
Luton Town 7/2
Draw 13/5
Bournemouth 17/20
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 21/10 odds taken 0915 GMT, Friday 18 December
