Our football writer previews the English Football League Championship round 12 action which kicks off on Friday 13 October 2017.
Most football fans worldwide will welcome the return of club soccer. The English Championship hasn’t gone the way many have predicted from the get go but that’s one of the many reasons why we love the beautiful game. With all its ups and downs, thrills and spills, round 12 looks set to produce another weekend of heart-pumping action. Let’s find out what’s in store.
Friday 13 October
Birmingham 9/4 | Draw 22/10 | Cardiff 12/10 (20:45)
It’s fitting that we open proceedings with relegation-candidates Birmingham taking on table-toppers Cardiff City. The home side have managed just two wins from 11 games, scoring seven goals and conceding 19 times.
Cardiff have been excellent on the road this season with four wins from six matches. The Bluebirds are unbeaten in their last four games and are tipped to add to that with another victory.
Bristol City 7/20 | Draw 37/10 | Burton Albion 13/2 (20:45)
Bristol City are unbeaten at home this season with three wins and two draws from five games and have also won their last two games on the bounce, including an impressive 3-1 win away to Ipswich last time out.
Burton Albion have been poor of late with back-to-back defeats. They are winless on their travels, scoring just once and conceding 11 times. Back the home side on the Half-time/Full-time double at 9/10.
Saturday 14 October
Sheffield United 15/20 | Draw 51/20 | Ipswich 34/10 (16:00)
Sheffield United have lacked consistency at times this season but their home form has been excellent with four wins from five games. Ipswich have been dismal in recent weeks with consecutive losses on the road.
However, the Tractor Boys would have been thankful for the international break, giving them time to reassess their game plan ahead of their clash with the Blades. A goal fest is expected with Over 2.5 Goals tipped at 9/10.
Leeds 9/10 | Draw 49/20 | Reading 28/10 (16:00)
Leeds suffered a bad spell of form before the break with back-to-back defeats, however, both those losses came on the road with the Whites winning their last three home games, scoring 10 goals and conceding just three times.
Reading are without a win in their last five games, including consecutive defeats. They have struggled on their travels and that doesn’t look like improving here. Back Leeds for the win.
Bolton 3/1 | Draw 47/202 | Sheffield Wednesday 9/10 (16:00)
Bolton find themselves planted at the root of the table – the only team in the league yet to win a match. They’ve scored just four goals while conceding 22 times in the process.
Their opponents, Sheffield, claimed an impressive 3-0 home win over Leeds before the break and will be determined to build on that. Get on the away win.
Sunderland 11/10 | Draw 23/10 | QPR 24/10 (16:00)
Sunderland began the season as one of the favourites to make an instant return to the Premier League but with just one win from 11 matches, they really haven’t shown any fighting spirit or the kind of quality that can make it at that level.
QPR haven’t been much better and are now winless in their last five matches. To make matters worse, they are without a win in their last 12 travels, which dates back to the 25th of February – a run of nearly eight months. This one could go either way but I’m backing the Black Cats to utilize home advantage.
Barnsley 3/1 | Draw 5/2 | Middlesbrough 17/20 (16:00)
Barnsley earned a much-needed victory before the break, claiming a 3-1 victory away to Millwall and will be hopeful of continuing that form here.
Middlesbrough have blown hot and cold up until this point. Neither side have devastating attacking prowess and I’m predicting a dour affair. The Totals – Under 2.5 Goals – is tipped at 17/20.
Norwich 17/20 | Draw 51/20 | Hull 11/4 (16:00)
Norwich are on the up and are currently unbeaten in their last six matches with four wins and two draws. Hull ran riot before the international break, smashing Birmingham 6-1 on home soil, ending a winless run of five matches.
We have been accustomed to low-scoring affairs between the sides, with their last six meetings producing Under 2.5 Goals – that can be found at a hefty 11/10. However, I will not be following the trend and instead, with both teams playing some good football, I will be climbing on the Both Teams to Score – Yes – market at 6/10.
Brentford 19/20 | Draw 51/20 | Millwall 5/2 (16:00)
Brentford have managed just one win from 11 matches and they are winless on home soil in their last six games.
Millwall have registered just three wins from six matches and are without a win on the road in their last 13 games. Seven of the last eight meetings have seen both sides find the back of the net so I suggest following the pattern at 6/10.
Fulham 17/20 | Draw 26/10 | Preston 28/10 (16:00)
Fulham have been impressive of late with back-to-back wins – both coming away from home – but it is at Craven Cottage where they have struggled to make their mark.
Preston are undefeated in their last eight matches with four wins and four draws, including consecutive wins on the road. The Win/Draw Double Chance on the away team is tipped at 17/20.
Wolves 21/10 | Draw 22/10 | Aston Villa 51/20 (18:30)
Second-placed Wolves have been in great form with three wins from their last four matches, including a 4-0 thumping over Burton Albion last time out.
Aston Villa have been exceptional with currently the longest winning run of four straight games, scoring 10 goals and conceding just once. Both teams are in the running for the promotion this season and I’m expecting a cagey affair. The Under 2.5 Goals market is the way to go at 13/20.
Sunday 15 October
Derby 15/20 | Draw 26/10 | Nottingham 34/10 (14:15)
Sunday’s only clash will see the Rams lock horns with Nottingham. Derby are winless in their last four matches, playing to stalemates in their last three games.
Their opponents have lost three of their last four matches but claimed a hard-fought 2-1 win over Sheffield United last time out. It won’t be cut and dry but Derby are strong in front of their fans and are tipped to return to winning ways.
TREBLE TIPPED @ 67/10
Cardiff Win 12/10
Sheffield Wednesday Win 9/10
Barnsley vs Middlesbrough Under 2.5 Goals 17/20
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