The Championship returns this weekend after another week off for the World Cup Qualifiers, here are our tips for the games...
Cardiff v Bristol City
The international break saw a few managerial changes in the Championship, and Neil Warnock will be looking to impress against a strong Bristol City side. Warnock helped save Rotherham at the tail end of last season and has once again been called upon to steady the already sinking Cardiff ship. Cardiff do however have a shocking home record so far and the visit of Bristol City along with inform striker Tammy Abraham will prove difficult. Having said this Bristol City concede a fair amount of goals on their travels.
Suggested Bet: Both Teams To Score at 8/11
Nottingham Forest v Birmingham
Forest v Birmingham is the second Friday night game this week and if Forest's previous games at the City Ground are anything to go by there should be goals in this one. Forest have averaged more than 4 goals a game on home soil and will look to test a Birmingham side who have been in formidable form so far. The hosts are yet to keep a clean sheet at home and Birmingham have only failed to score once away from home.
Suggested Bet: Over 2.5 Match Goals at 9/10
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Barnsley v Fulham
Barnsley have had a decent start to the season so far, 4 points outside the play offs. Fulham on the other hand have slowly started to crumble after getting off to a flyer in the opening few weeks. Fulham's away form has been their strong point so far, unbeaten away all season. This could prove decisive when playing against a Barnsley side that have lost 3 out of their last 4 games.
Suggested Bet: Fulham Double Chance at 11/20
Blackburn v Ipswich
Blackburn are in shocking form so far this season with 8 points from 11 games. Ipswich haven't been much better, sitting on just 13 points. Both sides have an equal record looking at home and away, both have 3 losses, a draw and a win. Their wins being against Rotherham and Derby who have equally been poor. This one is tough to call as neither side look as though they can win.
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Suggested Bet: Draw at 9/4
Brighton v Preston
Brighton have continued their climb up the table and now find themselves in 4th, 4 points off the top. In 5 home games so far they've won 4 and in each win they have kept a clean sheet. Preston may have picked up a few wins recently however Brighton should prove too strong. Preston have lost 3 games away from home and each time they have failed to score. Brighton will be ready to put the pressure on Huddersfield at the top of the table. Brighton to win to nil could be a shout.
Suggested Bet: Brighton Win at 3/5
Derby v Leeds
Derby have been downright awful so far and have now turned to former manager Steve McClaren to help save them from a crisis. McClarens appointment is a questionable one considering his last job wasn't exactly a success. Derby have short term problems to fix and will hope McClaren can start to pick up the points. Leeds have had mixed success on the road, with two wins and 3 losses. Derby will look to impress their new boss this weekend.
Suggested Bet: Under 2.5 Match goals at 4/6
Newcastle v Brentford
Newcastle continue to impress so far this season, their last game at St James Park wa s proof of how resilient Benitez have made them. The magpies will look to beat a Brentford side who make the long trip up from London this weekend, and with only 1 win away from home it could be an even longer trip back.
Suggested Bet : Newcastle Win at 4/7
Norwich v Rotherham
Norwich showed great character to follow up their last minute loss to Newcastle with a win away to Wolves. Alex Neil and his Norwich side are looking to bounce straight back up and so far they look in good stead to replicate their promotion campaign from 2 years ago. With 4 wins in their last 4 at home the Canaries will be eyeing a win against Rotherham who sit rock bottom of the Championship-with 5 out of 5 losses on the road.
Suggested Bet: Over 2.5 Match goals at 4/7
QPR v Reading
QPR have been busy reviewing their manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in the last few weeks however they announced yesterday he has their full backing. QPR sit mid table but have just one win at Loftus road so far. Reading are doing well under Jaap Stam but only have two wins away from home- one being to strugglers Cardiff. Both teams will see this as a winnable game so we should see goals in this one.
Suggested Bet: Both Teams To Score at 5/6
Wigan v Burton
Last season this fixture was a League 1 match, both have had similar fortunes since promotion to England's second tier although Burton have so far been the better of the two. Wigan failed to beat Burton in the league last year, and will find it difficult once again this year. Wigan need to start picking up points otherwise they may find themselves in a fight to stay in the league they worked so hard to get in.
Suggested Bet: Under 2.5 Match goals at 4/5
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Aston Villa v Wolves
Aston Villa welcome Steve Bruce to the helm and theirs probably no better manager suited to this job than the former Hull manager who has been so successful in this league in the past. Bruce guided Hull to the Premiership just last season, and although he inherits a Villa side closer to relegation, it's a long season and anything can happen. Villa are actually unbeaten at Villa Park, and Wolves have just two wins away from home. This would be a great occasion for Steve Bruce to get his first win as Villa manager.
Suggested Bet: Both Teams To Score at 5/6
Huddersfield v Sheff Wednesday
With Norwich, Newcastle and Brighton all have relatively easy home games this weekend league leaders Huddersfield will be looking over their shoulders going into this one. They are fortunate enough to play on Sunday, so they will know the other results before they play, nevertheless they should go into all home games looking for a win. Huddersfield's 100% home record speaks for itself, and Wednesday have 1 win away from home.
Suggested Bet : Hudderfield Draw No Bet at 8/11
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Words By: Dan Bullock
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