Our football writer previews the English Football League Championship round 14 action which kicks off on Friday 27 October 2017.
It was a great week on the tipping front in the EFL Championship last time out, with my hefty treble coming in at a tasty 17/2! Round 14 is sure to serve up a few entertaining clashes so let’s keep the small talk to a minimum and get straight to it.
Friday 27 October
Leeds 12/10 | Draw 22/10 | Sheffield United 43/20 (20:45)
Following a terrible run of three consecutive defeats, Leeds United bounced back to winning ways last time out with an emphatic 3-0 victory away to Bristol City. The Peacocks will open proceedings at Elland Road on Friday evening, where they have won three of their last four games.
Sheffield United come to town in some good form as well, with four wins from their last five matches, including back-to-back wins. An end-to-end game of football is on the cards and both sides are expected to score at 8/10.
Saturday 28 October
Sheffield Wednesday 13/20 | Draw 28/10 | Barnsley 37/10 (13:30)
Sheffield Wednesday have been dismal in recent weeks with four losses from their last five matches, including two on the bounce. Nonetheless, they return to their ground on Saturday, where they have won three of their last four games, recording a 3-0 victory over Leeds United last time around.
Barnsley are coming off a 1-0 home defeat to Hull City and will look to return to winning ways when they travel to Sheffield Wednesday. However, they have lost three of their five games on the road and that doesn’t look like improving here. Get on the home win.
Burton Albion 7/4 | Draw 21/10 | Ipswich 31/10 (16:00)
Burton Albion find themselves placed in the relegation zone after 13 matches, claiming just two victories. They are winless in their last five games and have lost back-to-back matches at home, suffering 4-0 defeats at the hands of Wolves and Aston Villa.
Ipswich are currently the definition of inconsistent with six wins and six losses from 12 games. They have suffered three straight defeats and will be desperate to grind out a positive result. The Tractor Boys claimed the double over Burton Albion last season and are tipped to win either half at 15/20.
Reading 21/10 | Draw 2/1 | Middlesbrough 27/20 (16:00)
Reading are struggling at the moment with three losses from their last four games. They have registered just one win on their turf and will be eager to build on that. Middlesbrough are without a win in their last five games and have travelled poorly.
Both sides will feel they have a chance of making ground on the teams above them so I’m expecting an attacking game. The Totals – Over 2.5 goals – market is tipped at 12/10.
QPR 22/10 | Draw 23/10 | Wolves 23/20 (16:00)
QPR have been out of sorts as they remain winless in their last seven matches. To make matters worse, they will welcome log-leaders Wolves to Loftus Road on Saturday afternoon.
The title-hopefuls have won five of their last six matches, including three on the spin. It won’t be cut and dry but I’m expected Wolves to come away with maximum points here. The away win is well worth a punt at even money.
Norwich 21/20 | Draw 47/20 | Derby 49/20 (16:00)
Norwich and Derby will square off in what promises to be a cracking contest. The home side are unbeaten in their last eight matches and have been decent on their ground.
Derby are undefeated in their last five games, including consecutive wins but are without a victory in their last four travels. Seven of the last nine meetings between these sides have seen both teams find the back of the net. That trend is tipped to continue – back Both Teams to Score (Yes) at 15/20.
Preston 23/20 | Draw 5/2 | Brentford 2/1 (16:00)
Preston put up a solid fight last time out, despite going down 3-2 at log-leaders Wolves. The Invincibles are unbeaten at Deepdale this season with three wins and three draws from six matches and they’ll be determined to maintain that form.
Brentford are unbeaten in their last six games and with both sides playing some good footy, an entertaining affair is on the cards. The last four meetings have seen a combined 18 goals scored at an average of 4.5 goals per game. Play it safe though, and get on the Over 2.5 goals market at 7/10.
Fulham 4/10 | Draw 36/10 | Bolton 52/10 (16:00)
Fulham have been poor with only four wins from 13 matches, including just one win from six games on home soil.
Their opponents, Bolton, are placed at the foot of the table, winless on the road, scoring just once and conceding 10 times. The Cottagers have won the last four meetings at home against Bolton, scoring 10 goals without reply. The home win looks a banker bet.
Sunderland 33/20 | Draw 23/10 | Bristol City 31/20 (16:00)
Sunderland have been hopeless with just one win from 13 games as they remain the only team in the league yet to win at home.
Bristol City are coming off a humiliating 3-0 defeat at home to Leeds United and will be determined to come back strong. The away team are unbeaten in their last five league games on the road and will look to keep that record intact. Back Bristol City to edge the win.
Cardiff 13/20 | Draw 26/10 | Millwall 4/1 (16:00)
Cardiff and Millwall are next up to do battle. The Welsh outfit come off the back of a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Middlesbrough and are unbeaten at home with four wins and two draws from six matches, scoring 11 goals and conceding only three times.
Millwall are yet to win a game on the road this season. However, they have shown a good account of themselves of late and should make this a tight affair. The last six meetings have seen Under 2.5 Goals and that pattern is tipped to continue at even money.
Hull 19/20 | Draw 5/2 | Nottingham 5/2 (18:30)
Hull City returned to winning ways last time out with a 1-0 victory away to Barnsley, stretching their unbeaten run to three matches. Their last home game saw them annihilate Birmingham 6-1 and they will be confident of coming up with the goods once more.
Nottingham have lacked consistency this season with six wins and seven losses from 13 matches. The Reds have lost four of their six travels, including back-to-back defeats, scoring once and conceding four times. Get on the home win.
Sunday 29 October
Birmingham 2/1 | Draw 21/10 | Aston Villa 27/20 (13:00)
Birmingham will take on Aston Villa in the Second City derby in Sunday’s only matchup. The clash has produced some crackers over the years and I’m expecting this one to be no different. The home side have managed just three wins this season but have won two home games on the bounce – 1-0 wins over Cardiff and Sheffield Wednesday.
Aston Villa have been in top form with five wins from their last six matches and have lost just once in their last 10 meetings. Seven of the last eight clashes between the sides have seen Under 2.5 Goals – get on at 6/10!
LAST WEEK’S TREBLE WON @ 17/2
Derby Win 23/20
Millwall Win 21/20
Norwich Win 11/10
THIS WEEK’S TREBLE TIPPED @ 7/2
Sheffield Wednesday Win 13/20
Fulham Win 4/10
Hull Win 19/20
Click here to follow us on Twitter for live updates, sporting previews, fixtures, and results.
