We have a superb lineup of fixtures to look forward to from the EFL Championship this weekend, starting with the Severnside derby between Cardiff City and Bristol City, and the East Midlands derby between Derby County and Nottingham Forest.
Elsewhere, unbeaten Fulham and Stoke City clash at Craven Cottage, while West Bromwich Albion travel to Peterborough United on Saturday night. Check out our matchday five Championship predictions.
EFL Championship Matchday 5: Best Betting Football Tips
Cardiff City vs. Bristol City: EFL Betting Tip
Mick McCarthy’s Cardiff welcome Nigel Pearson’s Bristol City to the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday afternoon. This Severnside derby between the Bluebirds and Robins is always a fascinating fixture, and this one in South Wales promises to be a thriller.
Cardiff are unbeaten after four Championship matches so far. The Bluebirds have beaten Blackpool and Millwall, and picked up draws with Barnsley and Peterborough United. They have been tough to beat under McCarthy, and the Bluebirds will be aiming for a play-off place this term.
In contrast, Bristol City have struggled since Pearson took over. They have picked up just one Championship win since March. The Robins have kicked off this season with one win, one draw and two defeats. After narrowly losing at home to Swansea City last time out, Bristol City will be desperate for a positive result in Cardiff.
Curtis Nelson and Kieffer Moore were on the scoresheet in a 2-0 Cardiff win at Ashton Gate when these two sides last met. We fancy the Welsh team to win -1 again, which is nicely priced at 11/4.
Cardiff City 49/50
Draw 47/20
Bristol City 3/1
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 11/4 odds taken 1111 GMT, Friday 27 August
Derby County vs. Nottingham Forest: Best Football League Betting Predictions
Derby and Nottingham Forest lock horns at Pride Park this Saturday afternoon in an East Midlands derby. Wayne Rooney’s Rams were the team tipped to struggle this season, but Chris Hughton’s Reds are rock bottom after losing four out of four so far. Who will take the bragging rights and win the Brian Clough Trophy?
Derby have made a steady enough start, winning one, drawing two and losing one. After a 1-0 win at Hull City, the Rams drew 0-0 at home with Neil Warnock’s Middlesbrough last time out in the league. However, they did lose to Sheffield United in the EFL Cup in midweek.
Nottingham Forest have taken zero points from four Championship games so far. Hughton’s troops have suffered back-to-back losses to Coventry City, Bournemouth, Blackburn Rovers and Stoke. They were also thumped 4-0 at home in the cup by Premier League Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday night.
Forest will be desperate for a positive result, but we can see Derby piling more misery on their bitter rivals this weekend. Back the home win and both teams to score at 15/4.
Derby County 31/20
Draw 41/20
Nottingham Forest 39/20
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 15/4 odds taken 1118 GMT, Friday 27 August
Fulham vs. Stoke City: EFL Betting Odds & Predictions
Fulham and Stoke are joint top of the Championship with West Brom after all three clubs have taken ten points from a possible 12. This Saturday, the Cottagers host the Potters at Craven Cottage. Will one of these move on to 13 points?
Since dropping points at home to Middlesbrough in game one, Fulham have been in scintillating form. The Cottagers have won four league and cup games in a row, seeing off Huddersfield Town, Millwall and Hull City in the Championship, and beating Birmingham City in the cup in midweek.
Stoke could be one of the dark horses in the battle for promotion this season, and Michael O’Neill’s boys have made an excellent start. So far, the Potters have picked up league wins over Reading, Swansea and Nottingham Forest. They are also through to the third round of the EFL Cup.
With both teams in fine fettle, this is not an easy game to call. However, home advantage could give Fulham the slight edge. Our money is going on the Cottagers at 10/11.
Fulham 10/11
Draw 9/4
Stoke City 17/5
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 10/11 odds taken 1125 GMT, Friday 27 August
Peterborough United vs. West Bromwich Albion: Best EFL Betting Tips on Matchday 5
On Saturday night, Darren Ferguson’s Peterborough entertain Valerien Ismael’s West Brom at the Weston Homes Stadium. Posh have taken four points so far, while the Baggies have picked up three wins and a draw. West Brom are the favourites in this one.
Peterborough have lost both away games, but Ferguson’s boys are unbeaten at home. United scored twice in injury time to beat Derby 2-1 in game two. They then let a two-goal lead slip to draw 2-2 with Cardiff on matchday three.
West Brom came from behind twice to pick up a good 2-2 draw at Bournemouth on the opening weekend. They then picked up three league wins in a row, getting the better of Luton Town, Sheffield United and Blackburn. However, they were thumped 6-0 by Arsenal at The Hawthorns in the EFL Cup in midweek.
West Brom will be hoping to strike back from that heavy cup defeat, and Ismael’s boys should get past Peterborough on Saturday night. We like the look of the away team to be winning at half time and full time at 31/20.
Peterborough United 21/5
Draw 14/5
West Bromwich Albion 4/6
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 31/20 odds taken 1135 GMT, Friday 27 August
