Our football writer previews the English Football League Championship round nine action which kicks off on Saturday 23 September 2017.
Leeds, Wolves, and Cardiff are all level at 17 points apiece. Positions four to six are also even on 15 points, making it an interesting weekend for the top segment of the table.
Saturday 23 September
Leeds 13/20 | Draw 26/10 | Ipswich 4/1
Table toppers, Leeds FC will host fifth-placed Ipswich this weekend and as it stands only two points separate the two teams with 17 and 15 respectively. Leeds blemished their record last weekend when Millwall beat them 1-0 away from home.
Ipswich have two losses from their last five matches but a 2-0 win against Bolton raised their confidence. The hosts have a good track record of 14 wins from 24 matches at home last season. In terms of head to head meetings, Leeds have won two of their last 10 matches against Ipswich with the latter claiming three wins and the rest resulting in draws. Take Ipswich on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 11/10.
QPR 13/20 | Draw 11/4 | Burton Albion 15/4
11th-placed QPR will host 19th-placed Burton Albion in this weekend’s EFL encounter. The home side have three wins from eight matches thus far, with their opponents with one win less from as many games. QPR are unbeaten in their last five home matches in the Championship, winning four times, while Burton are winless on the road, losing three of their four matches. The home win is tipped.
Derby 15/20 | Draw 5/2 | Birmingham 34/10
It’s a “bottom half of the table” affair as Derby host Birmingham at the Pride Park Stadium. Derby County currently sit on 10 points with two wins from eight matches. The visitors are rooted in the relegation zone with no wins recorded thus far in their 2017 EFL championship campaign. Derby are tipped to capitalize on home advantage.
Sunderland 17/10 | Draw 21/10 | Cardiff 16/10
Sunderland host third-placed Cardiff at the Stadium of Light this weekend. The home side have struggled this season with just one win from eight matches, while suffering three defeats at home. Cardiff have a healthy 17 points from five wins in their eight matches. Based on recent form, this should be an easy victory for the visitors.
Norwich 19/20 | Draw 26/10 | Bristol 49/20
12th-place Norwich will host eighth-placed Bristol at the Carrow Road this Saturday. The home side have had quite a mediocre record this season with three wins from eight matches. Their opponents, Bristol, have a win more than Norwich in as many matches. Both teams come off the back of victories and a win for the hosts can see them soar up the standings. Norwich’s impressive record of 13 wins from 23 matches could see them claim the Bristol scalp, with the latter winning only four away matches in last season’s campaign. Take Norwich to win at 19/20.
Reading 12/10 | Draw 23/10 | Hull 43/20
Reading will welcome Hull City to the Madjeski Stadium this weekend. Reading are a place below their counterparts in 18th place and with a game in hand, but both teams are on eight points apiece. Reading’s home form saw them claim 16 points from 23 matches last term. Hull City, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, will be hoping to raise their standard ahead of this close matchup. Take Reading on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 3/10.
Fulham 13/10 | Draw 23/10 | Middlesbrough 39/20
14th-placed Fulham will host seventh-placed Middlesbrough at Craven Cottage this Saturday. The hosts sit on 10 points with two wins from their eight matches, while Boro are on 14 points from their eight matches. The visitors are unbeaten in their last four matches. Fulham come off the back of a loss to Burton last weekend so their confidence might have taken a knock. Both teams are quite even on head to heads with five games apiece won from 12 matches with the rest resulting as draws. Take the Fulham + Middlesbrough on the Double Chance at 3/10.
Wolves 4/10 | Draw 7/2 | Barnsley 57/10
Second place team, the Wolves will take on 20th place Barnsley at the Molineaux Stadium. This should be an easy one for the Wolves especially in front of their home crowd. Barnsley have two wins from their seven matches, while Wolves are on 17 points, 10 points ahead of their counterparts. Go with the 2 goals home market at 21/10 as it’s likely the Wolves will score two comfortable goals.
Preston 1/1 | Draw 47/20 | Milwall 26/10
Fourth-placed Preston take on 16th-place Milwall at Deepdale this Saturday. Preston are unbeaten in their last five matches with three wins, including two on the bounce. Millwall are yet to record a win on the road, suffering two defeats from four games. I’m expecting a comfortable win for the home side.
Bolton 49/20 | Draw 5/2 | Brentford 1/1
Bolton will host Brentford this weekend at the Macron Stadium. Bolton are bottom of the log with no wins whatsoever and will be keen to hand their fans something to celebrate after their miserable start to the season. Brentford have just two points more than their hosts but are priced at 1/1. I’d opt for the Bolton + Brentford Double Chance at 1/4, in case the home side sneak a win.
Aston Villa 15/20 | Draw 5/2 | Nottingham 34/10
Aston Villa welcome Nottingham to Villa Park in Saturday’s late game. The home side extended their unbeaten run in the Championship to five games following their 3-0 win at Barnsley last weekend, while Nottingham suffered their third defeat in four matches, going down 2-1 at home to Wolves. Villa are unbeaten at home in their four matches played this season, however, they only won once. The hosts will be desperate to make it back-to-back wins and I fancy them to do so.
Sunday 24 September
Sheffield Wednesday 21/20 | Draw 23/10 | Sheffield United 5/2
Hillsborough will play hosts to the Sheffield derby in the last EFL fixture this Sunday. This derby is evenly matched over the years as both teams have won 48 and drawn 44. The home side are ninth placed with 13 points and three wins. The visitors have five wins from eight matches with eight goals to their name. A tight affair is expected, but Wednesday are tipped to make home advantage count.
TREBLE @ 5/1
Derby Win 15/20
Preston Win 1/1
Aston Villa Win 15/20
