Saturday Championship betting preview
Blackpool v West Brom
It’s something of a surprise to see the Tangerines priced at 12/5 (Sky Bet) to win this match. After all, Ian Holloway’s team have some impressive form at Bloomfield Road this season, winning six of their ten matches and losing just one. This defeat came recently against Barnsley and hinted that Blackpool would struggle to maintain a place in the top six of the Championship. However, Gary Taylor-Fletcher recently bagged a brace during his team’s 3-0 win at Middlesbrough and the forward is 9/1 (bet365) to open the scoring.
The Baggies aren’t the most trustworthy of teams to back, despite sitting second in the league. Monday’s 2-2 draw with QPR was a case in hand, although Albion have won five of their ten away matches and lost just one. They are 6/5 (Blue Square) to bag an early Christmas present of three points and Simon Cox (6/1 bet365) is firmly on the goal trail after scoring five in the last six. The best bet of all might be Over 2.5 Goals (4/5 Sporting Bet), especially as this has happened in six of Albion’s last seven matches.
QPR v Sheffield United
The Hoops are supposed to be a club in turmoil following the suspension of manager Jim Magilton, although they were a whisker away from winning at The Hawthorns on Monday. Caretaker managers Steve Gallen and Marc Bircham are at least ensuring there’s plenty of fighting spirit in the camp and they are 13/10 (Victor Chandler) to register their first win in six matches. There have been goals flying in at both ends during the last few Rangers matches and bet365 offer 21/20 that it’s the fifth match running where there are three or more goals.
Conversely, four of the Blades’ last five matches have been under 2.5 goals, with United having gone unbeaten in their past six matches. This has included victories at Bristol City and Plymouth, with bet365 going 11/5 that Kevin Blackwell’s team manage their third road win on the spin. Amazingly, Darius Henderson has bagged seven goals in his past four matches and will return from suspension hungry for more. The striker is 7/1 (bet365) to be first name on the scoresheet and will fancy his chances against a porous defence.
Cardiff City v Leicester City
It’s third versus fifth in south Wales on Saturday, with both teams looking for a play-off position this season. The Bluebirds have collected more points on the road than at home this term, although Blue Square are the only firm to offer even money about them landing the spoils here. It’s worth noting that midfielder Chris Burke has opened the scoring in each of City’s last three matches and he’s available at 12/1 (bet365) to make it four.
The Foxes have had a mini-wobble of late, although they bounced back on Saturday with a win over Sheffield Wednesday. The visitors are 10/3 (Sky Bet) for their fourth win of the season and they generally keep things tight on the road, with the draw a 5/2 chance (Paddy Power).
Bristol City v Reading
The Royals keep threatening to pull away from the relegation zone, although a bad result always seems to follow good. They’re easily capable of obliging at 5/2 (Blue Square) at Ashton Gate, with four wins already managed on the road this term. City are threatening the top six although they’re yet culpable of drawing too many home matches and the 12/5 (Sky Bet) that this match finishes level is better value than the 6/5 (Paddy Power) that the Robins keep bobbing along with the three points.