Our football writer previews the English Football League Championship round 32 action which kicks off on Friday 16 February 2018.
Round 31 saw seven out of 12 correct predictions from yours truly but with two of my best bets failing to hit the mark – costing me money in the process. Nonetheless, I’m feeling confident ahead of this weekend’s action, so let’s get to it!
Saturday 17 February
Birmingham 16/10
Draw 2/1
Millwall 18/10
Birmingham and Millwall will square off on Saturday afternoon at St. Andrew’s stadium. The hosts are off the back of a disappointing 2-0 loss to rivals Aston Villa and will be hoping to get back to winning ways with the Blues claiming back-to-back victories prior to their derby defeat.
However, Millwall are unbeaten in their last five matches, including two wins on the bounce away from home and will feel confident of taking maximum points. Based on form, I’m backing Millwall on the Win/Draw Double Chance at 9/20.
QPR 19/20
Draw 23/10
Bolton 28/10
QPR have been dismal in recent weeks with three losses from their last four matches but showed impressive fighting spirit last time out, despite going down 2-1 at runaway leaders Wolves.
Bolton are unbeaten in their last three games at the time of writing, but have the worst away record in the league with just one win from 14 travels. The Hoops have won the last two meetings against Bolton at Loftus Road and will be eager to build on that. The home win is the way to go.
Fulham 11/10
Draw 23/10
Aston Villa 47/20
The two most in-form teams, Fulham and Aston Villa will go toe-to-toe in what promises to be a highly-entertaining affair. The Cottagers are undefeated in their last nine matches with seven wins, including six home wins on the spin, scoring 16 goals and conceding just twice.
Aston Villa have been brilliant with seven consecutive victories and will be determined to maintain that form. A close tactical matchup is on the cards with the Totals – Under 2.5 Goals – market tipped at 17/20.
Sunderland 22/10 | Draw 47/20 | Brentford 23/20
Sunderland played out to an entertaining six-goal thriller at Bristol City, holding the Robins to a 3-3 draw last time out. The Black Cats return to the Stadium of Light this weekend, where they have registered only two wins from 15 matches.
Brentford have struggled in recent weeks but if they want to keep their slim hopes of claiming a play-off place, they’ve got to find a winning formula. One team is fighting relegation and the other is gunning for the play-offs, that equals an end-to-end game of football. Get on the Over 2.5 Goals market at 8/10.
Burton Albion 39/20 | Draw 2/1 | Nottingham 14/10
Basement-dwellers Burton Albion are without a win in their last 11 home matches with 10 defeats in the process. Nottingham have been terrible in recent weeks with three straight losses, conceding seven goals without finding the back of the net.
With that being said, a low-scoring game looks a likely result. The Totals – Under 2.5 Goals – market should be backed at 6/10.
Preston 51/20 | Draw 43/20 | Wolves 11/10
Preston are unbeaten in their last five matches, while Wolves have been in great form with three wins on the spin. The Lilywhites have been inconsistent on their ground and will need to raise their game against the table-toppers.
Wolves have the best away record in the league with 10 wins from 15 travels and will be determined to build on that. The away win should be taken here.
Cardiff 27/20 | Draw 2/1 | Middlesbrough 2/1
Fourth-place Cardiff have been solid in recent weeks and are now unbeaten in their last four matches, at the time of writing. Middlesbrough have won three of their last four travels and are coming off a 2-1 home win against Reading.
Cardiff have won four of their last six matches at home, including a 4-0 thumping of Sunderland. Both Teams to Score – Yes – is tipped at 19/20.
Sunday 18 February
Norwich 13/20 | Draw 51/20 | Ipswich 17/4
Norwich have struggled to maintain winning form on home soil but impressed last time out, holding Derby to a 1-1 draw at Pride Park Stadium. Ipswich were disappointing last weekend as Burton Albion held the Tractor Boys to a goalless draw.
The Canaries won the reverse tie 1-0 and have won four of the last five meetings at home against Ipswich. The home win is tipped.
Leeds 29/20 | Draw 22/10 | Bristol City 7/4
Leeds have been dismal in recent weeks and are now winless in their last seven matches with five defeats. Bristol City are without a win on the road in their last four matches but have looked the better team for most of the season.
Leeds ran riot in the corresponding fixture, however, hammering the Robins 3-0. Revenge is a dish best served cold and Bristol City are tipped to do just that and come away with maximum points.
TREBLE TIPPED @ 56/10
QPR Win 19/20
Wolves Win 1/1
Norwich Win 7/10
