With the first intentional break of 2021 now done and dusted, the exciting EFL Championship returns this Friday. We have reached the final stretch, with just eight games to go for most clubs.
Matchday 39 in the Championship promises to be as enthralling as ever, as Bournemouth entertain Middlesbrough, Cardiff City host Nottingham Forest, and runaway leaders Norwich City travel to Preston North End. Also, Barnsley and Reading clash at Oakwell in a play-off six-pointer on Friday evening.
EFL Championship Matchday 39: Best Betting Football Tips
Bournemouth vs. Middlesbrough: EFL Betting Tip
Jonathan Woodgate will go up against his former team when Bournemouth welcome Middlesbrough to the Vitality Stadium on Friday afternoon. The Cherries start the week in seventh, three points behind sixth-place Barnsley.
Bournemouth have got back on track after three wins from their last five Championship games. In their previous league encounter, the Cherries secured an excellent 3-0 home victory over Swansea City. However, they did lose 3-0 to Southampton in an Emirates FA Cup quarter-final last time out.
Neil Warnock’s Middlesbrough have been in patchy form of late, losing two and winning two of their last four. After back-to-back wins over Stoke City and Preston, Boro were narrowly beaten at Millwall before the international break.
This is a huge fixture for the pair, and both teams would love maximum points. However, we can see the two playing out a draw on the coast. There is good value in the draw and both teams to score at 15/4.
Bournemouth 23/20
Draw 47/20
Middlesbrough 13/5
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 15/4 odds taken 0904 GMT, Thursday 1 April
Cardiff City vs. Nottingham Forest: Best Football League Betting Predictions
Mick McCarthy will be hoping to keep up his excellent run as Cardiff boss when his side welcome Chris Hughton’s Nottingham Forest to the Cardiff City Stadium on Friday afternoon. The Bluebirds are the clear favourites in this one.
Cardiff signed off for the international break in style, beating rivals Swansea City 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium in a South Wales derby. That was just what the doctor ordered for Wales’ capital club, who had previously gone three games without a win.
Nottingham Forest could do with all three points on Friday after failing to win any of their last six. Since back-to-back 1-0 triumphs over Blackburn Rovers and Rotherham United, Forest have drawn three and lost three.
Cardiff have been beaten just once since McCarthy arrived at the Cardiff City Stadium. City will be buoyed after their derby victory, and we fancy Cardiff to win to nil again this Friday, which is available at 9/4.
Cardiff City 11/10
Draw 9/4
Nottingham Forest 29/10
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 9/4 odds taken 0912 GMT, Thursday 1 April
Preston North End vs. Norwich City: EFL Betting Odds & Predictions
Daniel Farke takes Norwich to Deepdale this Friday to face Preston. After the surprise sacking of Alex Neil, Frankie McAvoy is set to take temporary charge of the Lilywhites until Neil’s replacement is sorted. As expected, the Canaries are the big favourites to get the points in Lancashire.
Neil was relieved of his duties at Deepdale after North End lost four and drew one of five before the international break. A 1-0 home defeat to Luton Town proved to the final straw. Preston are down in 16th with just 44 points to their name.
Norwich are in stunning form and well on their way to promotion back to the Premier League. They were held to a 1-1 home draw by Blackburn Rovers last time out, but the runaway leaders won nine in a row prior to that.
It could be a tough day at the office for McAvoy and his men, and we fancy Norwich to seal a comfortable victory at Deepdale. Check out the top odds of 4/1 for City to win both halves.
Preston North End 9/2
Draw 13/5
Norwich City 7/10
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 4/1 odds taken 0921 GMT, Thursday 1 April
Barnsley vs. Reading: Best EFL Championship Betting Tips on Matchday 39
Valerien Ismael’s Barnsley and Veljko Paunovic’s Reading do battle at Oakwell in what promises to be a thrilling encounter in South Yorkshire. The Tykes are currently two points above the Royals in the Championship table.
Barnsley’s stunning unbeaten run came to an end before the break, as Sheffield Wednesday left Oakwell with a shock 2-1 win. Ismael’s men had won nine and drew three of 12 Championship matches before that.
Reading are clinging on to sixth spot after taking just two points from their last three matches. Last time out, the Royals drew 1-1 at home with Queens Park Rangers. Nevertheless, Reading have lost only one of their last six.
With promotion to the Premier League in sight, both clubs will be gunning for all three points. However, we can see this intriguing Championship fixture ending all square at Oakwell. The draw and over 2.5 goals is available at the solid price of 11/1.
Barnsley 13/10
Draw 23/10
Reading 23/10
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 11/1 odds taken 0955 GMT, Thursday 1 April
