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The English Championship is back this weekend following the International break as we enter the business end of the season. All is to play for in the title race, the playoff places and the relegation battle. A big chance for some sides to gain some momentum, and we could see lots of changes in the standings.
We have a juicy all Championship fivefold here with all five home selections.
- Watford v Plymouth – Watford to win
- Leeds v Swansea – Leeds to win
- Middlesbrough v Oxford United – Middlesbrough to win
- Sunderland v Millwall – Sunderland to win
- Burnley v Bristol City – Burnley to win
All odds were correct at the time of writing, but are subject to change
Watford v Plymouth – Watford to win
One of the early kickoffs here as we ignore the golden rule ‘Always avoid the early kick-off”, hopefully this doesn’t bite us in the ar*e!
Playoff chasing Watford host bottom of the league Plymouth Argyle in which is a huge game for both sides. Watford must win this if they want to close the gap to the playoff places, and Argyle must win to keep hold of any hopes for survival.
A point is no good for either side here, and I fear for Argyle, as that could play into Watford’s hands and playing style. Watford have been strong and have a strong defensive record at home, whilst Plymouth are bottom of the away league, scoring just eight in 19 away games and conceding 43. Plymouth unfortunately look doomed to me, and I think Watford will put a nail in their coffin here and are available at a nice price of 4/6.
Leeds v Swansea – Leeds to win
Title chasing Leeds United host relegation threatened Swansea to Elland Road on Saturday hoping to put some distance between themselves and the playoff places.
Leeds are the biggest favourites of the weekend in the Championship as they look to strengthen their title bid. Leeds are clear top of the home league table averaging over 2.5 points a game at home and scoring 47 goals conceding just nine in 19 games. Swansea are not the strongest away from home and have struggled to score goals.
The reverse tie was a belter which seen Leeds snatch all three points in injury time, less than a minute after Swansea had equalised.
Leeds have to win here, and I believe they will get the job done with ease. Very short at 2/9 but worth a leg in our Acca.
Middlesbrough v Oxford United – Middlesbrough to win
Another big game in the playoff race and the relegation battle, as Middlesbrough look to strengthen their bid for a playoff place.
The three sides above Middlesbrough have tough fixtures this weekend, and three points for the Boro could have a huge impact on their season and their playoff chances. Oxford sit four points above the relegation zone but with terrible goal difference, a point here could be massive for them to put some distance between them and the chasing pack of sides fighting for survival.
Middlesbrough have lost one of their last five, and Oxford have won one of their last 10. Boro also won the reverse tie 6-2 away at Oxford.
Middlesbrough should get the job done here and are available at 6/11.
Sunderland v Millwall – Sunderland to win
Sunderland welcome Millwall to the Stadium of Light in a game which could really cement their place in the playoff places and effectively end Millwall’s hopes of stealing a place in the playoffs.
Sunderland have been very strong at home this season averaging over two points per game and conceding less than one goal per game on average. Millwall have been strong away from home but have scored less than one goal per game on average.
Sunderland’s home form and crowd is a big advantage here and we expect them to collect the three points. Available at 5/8 as a single but worth a punt in our championship acca.
Burnley v Bristol City – Burnley to win
Another huge game in the race for promotion. Burnley currently sit in third place and Bristol are in 7th on joint points with West Brom who occupy the last playoff place currently on goal difference.
Burnley have been unbelievable defensively and have conceded just five goals in 19 home league games this season. Burnley’s last league defeat was in November and sit top of the form guide for 5 games and 25 games. Bristol also are in very good form and have lost just once in their last 11.
Burnley won the reverse fixture away at Bristol 1-0 and we think they’re too defensively strong to drop points here. At 8/11, Burnley take the final spot in our weekend Championship Acca!
