Saturday Championship betting preview
Barnsley v Newcastle 3pm
Are the Magpies an even money (Bet Fred) steal to win at Oakwell? Newcastle are fast emerging as the best team in the Championship this season, with Wednesday’s 2-0 victory at Coventry their seventh on the spin. It helps when you have a mean defence marshalled by Steven Taylor and United are 6/4 (Paddy Power) to keep their fourth consecutive clean sheet. They also have Shola Ameobi back in attack and the striker is 6/1 (Paddy Power) to break the deadlock as he did at the Ricoh. Nevertheless, some will argue that the league leaders’ bubble will burst at some stage, with Barnsley a 3/1 chance (bet365) to halt Newcastle in their tracks. Mark Robins’ team have been playing well recently, going unbeaten in five league matches. Ryan Shotton (33/1 Ladbrokes) has been threatening to score his first goal for the club and what better time to do it!
Sheffield United v Crystal Palace 3pm
Neil Warnock returns to the club where he spent seven seasons as manager, with little to split his former or current team this season. Both are frustratingly inconsistent, although Palace’s 4-2 win at Reading might persuade many to back them at a lumpy 7/2 (Boylesports). While the Eagles shouldn’t be trusted at odds-on, they have a counter-attacking style which works well on the road and Darren Ambrose (9/1 Boylesports) is filling his boots at the moment. The Blades are enjoying an unbeaten run of five matches and are even money (bet365) to come away with the points. However, the fact that they have drawn five of their ten matches at Bramall Lane suggests that a draw (5/2 Sky Bet) is the best option.
Swansea City v Nottingham Forest 3pm
The only unbeaten team away from home this season travel to the Liberty Stadium and the draw (12/5 Paddy Power) once again has to be the value bet. Forest have drawn eight of their ten matches on the road, although it should also be noted that the Tricky Trees are unbeaten in twelve matches. At odds of 15/8 (Coral), some might think they’re a decent bet, especially with Robert Earnshaw (13/2 Paddy Power) in such excellent form. The former Cardiff striker is sure to get a hostile reception but it’s hard to resist backing him to find the net (9/4 Paddy Power) and score his seventh goal of the campaign. The Swans are also flying high in the Championship and are 6/4 (Sky Bet) to climb as high as third with a victory. However, with both teams running a tight ship, it’s the 8/11 (Stan James) about Under 2.5 Goals that makes appeal.
Leicester City v Sheffield Wednesday 3pm
The Foxes defence has started conceding goals like there’s no tomorrow, with eight shipped in the last two matches. They have an ideal chance to bounce back on Saturday and are 4/5 (bet365) to collect three points against a team who are also struggling for form. The Owls are perilously close to the relegation zone, having failed to win any of their last eight matches and six of these have been defeats. Blue Square go 4/1 that Wednesday land a much-needed win at the Walkers Stadium, although perhaps the draw (11/4 Coral) is the best value.