the championship is one of the hardest leagues to win because competition is so fierce and there are so many big rivalries. after 18 games there are just nine points separating the top 12, with only four points from second to ninth. as the festive fixture frenzy approaches picking up points and momentum is vital and we predict this weekend will see some great games including some titanic tussles at the top. we’ve got live betting odds comparison for all the championship games but here we offer tips and predictions for five of the best matches taking place at the weekend.
charlton v ipswich betting tips
fourth visit ninth in the only televised championship game this weekend and we predict fireworks as both sides look to close the gap between themselves and the automatic promotion places. a decent win for the home side could see them jump above the tractor boys into fourth but it won’t be easy against a highly competent ipswich who will feel a return to the premier league is long overdue.
the home side are priced at betting odds of 11/5 here with betfair, while the visitors are favourites at 6/4 with betfred and the draw is on offer at odds of 12/5. given both sides are going through an inconsistent run of form we think the home side are great value at 11/5. they are unbeaten at home this season and have already beaten leaders derby and seventh placed watford so we predict they will continue their unbeaten run with a narrow victory here.
leeds united v derby county betting tips
the championship leaders travel to leeds, arguably the division’s biggest club, and this will be a tough test for both sides, especially leeds who are currently languishing in 16th place. the away side are clear favourites, offered here at odds of 10/11 with bet365 with the draw at 13/5, also with bet365, and leeds being the outsiders at betting odds of 16/5 with betvictor.
leeds are in turmoil at present and have been for some time, making predicting their results a tricky task, but in front of their vociferous home support they have proved formidable opposition this year. two losses from nine games at elland road, with a win over high-flying boro, suggests that the championship pacesetters won’t have things all their own way and so our tip here is leeds in the draw no bet market in a game we predict will be closer than the odds suggest. leeds blow hot and cold but they have some interesting attacking options and one or two players, for example brazilian forward adryan, whom the rams will have to watch very carefully.
watford v cardiff betting tips
watford sit seventh in the championship on 29 points whilst cardiff are currently 12th but with 26 points they are still very much in the hunt for promotion. this is another clash which we predict a close game and whilst the home side are clear favourites at odds of just 11/10, the visitors offer some appeal at 13/5 with bet365. the stalemate can be backed at 5/2 with betvictor but in a game that may be too close to call, we look instead to the goals markets for our betting tips.
we predict this one will be a real thriller, with games at watford averaging 3.56 goals this term, the highest in the championship. given cardiff are poor on the road we expect watford to win, but throw in both teams to score too to give the odds a very nice boost, with 3-1 to the home side our correct score prediction. cardiff will probably feel a draw is a decent result but we don’t think they will have enough on the road and draw/watford is another interesting bet at longish odds.
middlesbrough v blackburn rovers betting tips
arguably the biggest game in the championship this weekend is on teeside where middlesbrough host blackburn in a clash between the sides currently third and sixth in the second tier. if either club can claim three points here it will send out a strong message to the other title-chasing championship teams and a home win could see boro move top of the table.
aitor karanka’s men are favourites at betting odds of 19/20 (ladbrokes) whilst the lancashire side can be backed at 10/3, with the draw available at a tempting 11/4 with coral. boro are unbeaten in five but have drawn three of those and five of the last 10, hence the interest in the stalemate. indeed, given blackburn have also drawn two of their last three, and their north east opponents have lacked intensity at home at times, the draw is our prediction for this one at nice odds.
rotherham v blackpool betting tips
our final betting tip is from the other end of the championship as blackpool travel over the pennines to face south yorkshire strugglers rotherham. blackpool are in serious danger of being cut adrift at the foot of the table, having picked up just eight points from their 18 games, whilst the millers are only slightly better off with 18 points and are also in the relegation zone. a win is vital for both sides against one of their main relegation rivals and we predict it is rotherham who will be celebrating come the final whistle.
blackpool’s problems have been well documented since the summer when it was clear that their squad was short on numbers and short on class and their struggles will have surprised few. they are in decent form – by their abysmal standards – having drawn two of the last three but with just three points on the road despite some very easy fixtures we can only predict a defeat here. rotherham can be backed at nice betting odds of 4/5 with ladbrokes here and that looks a very simple, very easy and very profitable betting tip to us.
other matches
norwich v reading
sheff wed v wigan
birmingham v nottingham
bolton v huddersfield
bournemouth v millwall
brentford v wolves
brighton v fulham