Championship:
Birmingham City vs Derby County
Odds: Birmingham – 17/20 Draw – 23/10 Derby – 15/4
What I think will happen:
Birmingham are a real playoff contender this season in my eyes and I hope they can put up a big performance against a weak Derby County side who still look like they’ll be right in the relegation scrap. Birmingham have always tended to have issues going forward which has hurt them in previous season but they look a lot better on that side of things in the last few games and they can get another win here.
Birmingham 3-0 Derby (Birmingham to win at 17/20 is a strong bet)
Blackburn Rovers vs Luton Town
Odds: Blackburn – 1/1 Draw – 12/5 Luton – 13/5
What I think will happen:
Blackburn are way too short a price in this one for me. They are able to grind out results but I don’t expect them to be much more than a mid table side at the moment and Luton have been more impressive this season for me barring the game against Birmingham. That being said, Luton haven’t scored in their last couple of games so I can probably only see them getting 1 here and being held to a 1-1 draw.
Blackburn 1-1 Luton (Luton or draw at 8/11 is a bet for me)
Blackpool vs Fulham
Odds: Blackpool – 5/1 Draw – 3/1 Fulham – 4/7
What I think will happen:
Fulham have blown away every team they’ve played since the first game of the season and despite Blackpool being a decent candidate to be a spoiler team this season, Fulham will likely have too much class for them here with all of their attacking talent. I can see Blackpool scoring and maybe keeping things close for a while, but Fulham should win in the end.
Blackpool 1-3 Fulham (No bet)
Bournemouth vs Barnsley
Odds: Bournemouth – 4/5 Draw – 5/2 Barnsley – 15/4
What I think will happen:
Bournemouth are a stronger side than Barnsley but they’ve been in fairly scrappy form in the last couple of games. They had a dreadful second half against Blackpool and then had a fairly 0-0 against a very poor Hull side. Barnsley meanwhile blew a lead against QPR and then were somewhat fortunate to get a draw against Birmingham having taken the lead early. This isn’t a matchup I would bet on but I’m going to take Barnsley to pull off the upset. They have enough about them going forward to take advantage of a team that does play poorly against them and 15/4 is a decent price for them to win considering the current form of Bournemouth.
Bournemouth 1-2 Barnsley (Maybe bet Barnsley if the market starts going that way)
Bristol City vs Preston North End
Odds: Bristol City – 13/10 Draw – 11/5 Preston – 11/5
What I think will happen:
I’m going to apply my Championship theory here and pick Preston to win this one. For some reason whenever 2 evenly matched teams on form play in this league, the price for the home team is ridiculously short and the home team rarely wins. Both sides have just come off good wins and I was pretty impressed by Preston who look to have turned a corner for the time being. Bristol City tend to be more effective in games where they are seen as an underdog and can play on the counter so they may struggle in this one to get the win. I’ll take the upset here and go for a Preston win.
Bristol City 0-2 Preston (Preston draw no bet could be the play)
Coventry City vs Middlesbrough
Odds: Coventry – 23/20 Draw – 23/10 Middlesbrough – 12/5
What I think will happen:
Coventry let me down against QPR but they had every chance to take the lead when it was 0-0 and even though they fell apart after going behind, there were positives to take from that performance. Middlesbrough meanwhile are having a bit of a slump in form and I can see them finding things tough again here to win. That being said, I can see Middlesbrough getting a 1-1, they should be able to hold Coventry to 1 goal if they’re on a decent defensive day and they have been able to find the net so far this season with some regularity.
Coventry 1-1 Middlesbrough (No bet)
Reading vs Queens Park Rangers
Odds: Reading – 2/1 Draw – 12/5 QPR – 13/10
What I think will happen:
QPR have a concerning habit of not winning games they should be winning, but that being said I have to take them to win here. Reading are a complete disaster at the moment and QPR have a lot of talent going forward with Dykes in top form and they should fancy themselves to score a few in this one.
Reading 0-3 QPR (QPR to win at 13/10 is still value, anything below 11/10 is not)
Sheffield United vs Peterborough United
Odds: Sheff Utd – 4/6 Draw – 11/4 Peterborough – 9/2
What I think will happen:
This is already starting to feel like a bit of a last chance saloon for Sheffield United to get their season going but I can see them doing it here. Peterborough have been really poor on their travels so far this season and Sheffield United played pretty well against Luton last time out despite not scoring. They have been better in front of goal at home though and that can be enough to get them over the line here.
Sheffield United 2-0 Peterborough (Sheffield United to win to 0 may be worth a go)
Stoke City vs Huddersfield Town
Odds: Stoke – 4/6 Draw – 11/4 Huddersfield – 17/4
What I think will happen:
I was disappointed by Stoke against Fulham, it was always going to be a tough ask but they didn’t make much of a game of it and were very comfortably beaten. Huddersfield last time out managed to beat Reading 4-0 in one of their best performances of the season so far and the prices look wrong for me here. Stoke are definitely the more likely winners but 4/6 is a short price for a team with defensive issues and I can see this being a 2-2 sort of game with Huddersfield currently scoring for fun.
Stoke 2-2 Huddersfield (BTTS would be my bet here)
Swansea City vs Hull City
Odds: Swansea – 11/10 Draw – 12/5 Hull – 12/5
What I think will happen:
Swansea aren’t in good form at the moment and I wouldn’t bet them to win at the price but I still like them to win here. Piroe has been finding the net for them consistently and having a solid goal scorer up top may be all they need to win this one since Hull haven’t scored since the first game of the season. This is probably a decent chance for them to break the goal drought but I can’t trust them to do it so I’ll take Swansea to win 1-0.
Swansea 1-0 Hull (No bet)
West Bromwich Albion vs Millwall
Odds: West Brom – 4/7 Draw – 13/5 Millwall – 11/2
What I think will happen:
West Brom only scraped home late last week against Peterborough but it’s still a very good result against a tough home side. This should be easier for them since Millwall haven’t impressed this season so far and their normal defensive solidity doesn’t seem to be there. This should mean a comfortable West Brom win even if Millwall do keep up their streak of scoring every game. But I can see it being more of a 2-0 sort of game for West Brom and they can keep the pressure on Fulham
West Brom 2-0 Millwall (No bet)
Nottingham Forest vs Cardiff City
Odds: Notts Forest – 21/10 Draw – 21/10 Cardiff – 7/5
What I think will happen:
Cardiff had a poor result last time out but home teams always tend to struggle in televised Championship games for some reason so I don’t mind drawing a line through it since the rest of their form is rock solid so far this season. Forest meanwhile are a poor side and don’t look like winning a game too soon. The international break may have helped them recover a bit but I can’t see it being too likely. Cardiff are a stronger side and I like them to win this one.
Forest 1-2 Cardiff (Cardiff to win at 7/5 is a solid bet)
League One:
Burton Albion vs Gillingham
Odds: Burton – 11/10 Draw – 12/5 Gillingham – 5/2
What I think will happen:
This isn’t the greatest of matchups. Both teams are struggling going forward at the moment but Burton do have an edge in this one for me. They have been a lot more solid at the back at Gillingham and while I wouldn’t back them at the price, they can win this one 1-0.
Burton 1-0 Gillingham (under 2.5 goals is the bet)
Cambridge United vs Lincoln City
Odds: Cambridge – 17/10 Draw – 12/5 Lincoln – 6/4
What I think will happen:
I’m a little surprised Lincoln are favourites here. They’re a better team on paper but Cambridge have been playing really well as of late and are a very solid team at home. I like them to win here with Lincoln’s defence being a real concern for me at the moment.
Cambridge 2-1 Lincoln (No bet)
Charlton Athletic vs Cheltenham Town
Odds: Charlton – 19/20 Draw – 5/2 Cheltenham – 14/5
What I think will happen:
This is a ridiculous market for me. Charlton have been a very moderate team so far this season and have only beaten a hapless Crewe side so far. They’re still probably the right favourite at home but I’d say this is an even matchup. I like Cheltenham to get a draw here away from home given they’re a solid enough team.
Charlton 1-1 Cheltenham (Cheltenham double chance is the bet for me)
Ipswich Town vs Bolton Wanderers
Odds: Ipswich – 23/20 Draw – 12/5 Bolton – 23/10
What I think will happen:
I like Ipswich to finally get a win here. They haven’t struggled to score this season and the international break gives them time to sort things out at the back. Once they get things sorted there, they’ll be a solid team this season and can push for the playoffs. Bolton have gone a little off the boil over the last couple of games and have been spurning chances. If they do that here then they’ll definitely lose.
Ipswich 2-0 Bolton (Ipswich at 23/20 is a good price)
MK Dons vs Portsmouth
Odds: MK Dons – 11/8 Draw – 23/10 Portsmouth – 19/10
What I think will happen:
Portsmouth have been unconvincing as of late and they face a solid home side in MK Dons here. There’s a chance these teams cancel each other out but I like MK Dons to nick a 1-0 here and continue their perfect home record.
MK Dons 1-0 Portsmouth (No bet)
Morecambe vs AFC Wimbledon
Odds: Morecambe – 7/4 Draw – 11/5 Wimbledon – 31/20
What I think will happen:
Wimbledon have been scoring for fun lately but I’m not sure they’ll enjoy this matchup. Morecambe are a scrappy team and Wimbledon have struggled more against teams they’re expected to beat than the supposed better sides in the league so this could be a tough one for them. I can see it finishing 1-1 with Wimbledon probably still the more likely side to win.
Morecambe 1-1 Wimbledon (No bet)
Oxford United vs Wycombe Wanderers
Odds: Oxford – 5/4 Draw – 5/2 Wycombe – 21/10
What I think will happen:
Both teams aren’t in top form at the moment but the market is probably a little off in this one. Wycombe are a better team than Oxford at the moment and I’d make them the more likely winners as I can see their defence sorting things out sooner than Oxford. But I think both teams would probably take a point here so that may be what happens in the end.
Oxford 1-1 Wycombe (No bet)
Plymouth Argyle vs Sheffield Wednesday
Odds: Plymouth – 21/10 Draw – 11/5 Sheff Wed – 11/8
What I think will happen:
Plymouth aren’t the most solid side at home and I think they’ll lose here. Sheffield Wednesday will be more comfortable against this sort of side than they were against Morecambe and they can prove they’re a stronger side than Plymouth here.
Plymouth 0-2 Sheffield Wednesday (Sheffield Wednesday at 11/8 is a decent bet)
Rotherham United vs Fleetwood Town
Odds: Rotherham – 3/5 Draw – 13/5 Fleetwood – 11/2
What I think will happen:
Rotherham should be able to win this one fairly comfortably. Fleetwood struggle to score away from home and I can see a clean sheet for Rotherham here. Fleetwood also have defensive issues which leads me to say this will be a 2-0 win.
Rotherham 2-0 Fleetwood (No bet)
Shrewsbury Town vs Crewe Alexandra
Odds: Shrewsbury – 6/5 Draw – 12/5 Crewe – 23/10
What I think will happen:
These are 2 of the worst 3 teams in the league at the moment and this is an extremely unappealing game to bet on. In these sort of games though, the home team tends to be too short a price so I’m taking Crewe here though 0-0 or 1-1 are also likely scores. Crewe have played a little better than the bare form says and this is the first weak team they’ve played all season so maybe this can be a turning point for them.
Shrewsbury 0-2 Crewe (Crewe draw no bet would be my play)
Sunderland vs Accrington Stanley
Odds: Sunderland – 13/20 Draw – 29/10 Accrington – 4/1
What I think will happen:
The price is probably too short but I can see Sunderland grinding out a 1-0 win here. Accrington have been in good form as of late but are missing a lot of big chances and with chances likely to be at a premium here for them, those missed chances may let them down and cost them a result.
Sunderland 1-0 Accrington (Under 2.5 goals is a decent bet)
Wigan Athletic vs Doncaster Rovers
Odds: Wigan – 11/20 Draw – 3/1 Doncaster – 5/1
What I think will happen:
Wigan are one of my main shouts to win the league this season alongside Sunderland. They’ve overcome a brutal start to the season unbeaten and now get a home game against a disappointing Doncaster side. The one positive for Doncaster is they tend to play the top sides somewhat close and may only lose by 1 goal here but I can’t see them getting a result.
Wigan 2-1 Doncaster (No bet)
League Two:
Barrow vs Colchester United
Odds: Barrow – 19/20 Draw – 23/10 Colchester – 16/5
What I think will happen:
I don’t see why Colchester are 16/5 for this one. They’ve been perfectly solid all season and Barrow aren’t a great team. They beat Oldham last week but Oldham are a side that look likely to be right at the bottom at the end of the season. Colchester meanwhile look a solid mid table side and can get a draw at minimum here. I’m probably going to take 1-1 just because Barrow are a decent side at home.
Barrow 1-1 Colchester (Colchester or draw looks big value)
Harrogate Town vs Newport County
Odds: Harrogate – 11/10 Draw – 12/5 Newport – 13/5
What I think will happen:
Harrogate got a huge win last week against 9 man Mansfield and while I think they are a tad overrated, I like them to win here. Newport haven’t impressed me in their last couple of games and this is a tough matchup for them to bounce back in. I can see Harrogate getting a 2-1 win here.
Harrogate 2-1 Newport (No bet)
Crawley Town vs Carlisle United
Odds: Crawley – 6/4 Draw – 12/5 Carlisle – 6/4
What I think will happen:
Carlisle were fortunate to win last week with Salford spurning plenty of big chances and I can see them losing here. Crawley probably should’ve managed to avoid defeat last weekend and are a much better side at home than they are away. They can get a win here to make up for dropping points last week.
Crawley 2-1 Carlisle (I’d take the 6/4 with Crawley)
Forest Green Rovers vs Northampton Town
Odds: Forest Green – 19/20 Draw – 5/2 Northampton – 14/5
What I think will happen:
Both teams haven’t been great as of late and I can see this one descending into a draw. Forest Green have started to struggle in front of goal and Northampton have kept back to back clean sheets so I can see this one being a 0-0 draw with Northampton being happy to get a point.
Forest Green 0-0 Northampton (Under 2.5 goals looks the play)
Hartlepool United vs Bristol Rovers
Odds: Hartlepool – 1/1 Draw – 23/10 Bristol Rovers – 11/4
What I think will happen:
Bristol Rovers have just started to put a couple of results together and though they still aren’t a great side, I like them to get a draw here. Hartlepool should’ve got a result against Tranmere and I’m a little worried they’ll struggle to score more than once in this matchup so evens seems a short price.
Hartlepool 1-1 Bristol Rovers (No bet)
Leyton Orient vs Oldham Athletic
Odds: Orient – 3/4 Draw – 5/2 Oldham – 7/2
What I think will happen:
Leyton Orient are playing really well at the moment and I like them to get the win here. Oldham were desperately disappointing last weekend and though they seem to be better away than at home, I still see them losing here. Orient can get a couple of goals here and get a 2-1 win.
Leyton Orient 2-1 Oldham (BTTS looks a decent shout)
Rochdale vs Tranmere Rovers
Odds: Rochdale – 21/20 Draw – 9/4 Tranmere – 14/5
What I think will happen:
Rochdale got a really good win last weekend but they’re way too short a price here. They’ve found things tough at home so far this season and Tranmere have been solid at the back all season. I can see this being a 0-0 draw and I wouldn’t put people off backing Tranmere to win this, if they took the lead I’d fancy them to hold on.
Rochdale 0-0 Tranmere (Under 2.5 goals is a solid bet in any Tranmere game)
Salford City vs Bradford City
Odds: Salford – 6/5 Draw – 9/4 Bradford – 23/10
What I think will happen:
Salford are playing better now even if results haven’t fully started to reflect that yet. I like them to win here but there isn’t much value in the price since I can only see it being a 2-1 sort of win and that relies on them finishing their chances. I had Bradford as my league winners a couple of weeks ago but their recent form has been a real concern to me. I like them to recover eventually but maybe not this weekend.
Salford 2-1 Bradford (No bet)
Scunthorpe United vs Exeter City
Odds: Scunthorpe – 15/8 Draw – 11/5 Exeter – 29/20
What I think will happen:
Both of these sides are currently underrated so it’s a shame they’re playing each other this weekend. I like Exeter to edge it though, I see them being higher in the table at the end of the season and they’re defending well as of late so they can nick a 1-0 win here.
Scunthorpe 0-1 Exeter (No bet)
Sutton United vs Stevenage
Odds: Sutton – 9/5 Draw – 21/10 Stevenage – 29/20
What I think will happen:
This might be an ideal game for Sutton. It’s not a game they’re definitely expected to win and with Stevenage coming off a really poor loss last time they were away from home, it might be time for Sutton to finally get a win. If Sutton lose here, they’re really in the relegation battle as they’ll be playing stronger sides soon so that may also help inspire them to a cagey win.
Sutton 1-0 Stevenage (Sutton draw no bet is a good play here)
Swindon Town vs Port Vale
Odds: Swindon – 7/5 Draw – 21/10 Port Vale – 21/10
What I think will happen:
I’m struggling to split these sides. Swindon have been a little more consistent than Port Vale which may give the edge to them but I’m leaning more towards predicting a high scoring draw here given that Port Vale have been scoring as of late.
Swindon 2-2 Port Vale (No bet)
Walsall vs Mansfield Town
Odds: Walsall – 2/1 Draw – 23/10 Mansfield – 13/10
What I think will happen:
I’ve been really disappointed in Mansfield as of late and with Walsall playing better over the last 2 games, they may drop points again here. It does already feel must win for Mansfield as they’re already 6 points off the top and they would be expecting to challenge for the title this season. But their form isn’t good enough at the moment for me to pick them to win here.
Walsall 1-1 Mansfield (No bet)
Suggested Accumulator:
Sheffield United
Ipswich
Sheffield Wednesday
Rotherham – pays at 12.07/1
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