Championship Betting Tips: Points shared in Friday's "London Derby" | OneFootball

Charlton v QPR - Little between capital sides

Friday, 20:01, Live on Sky Sports Football

Charlton lifted themselves three points clear of the drop-zone with a 2-0 success over Leicester last weekend. The Addicks have won two of their last eight games, although they've had a one/two-man advantage in each of those victories. Despite their reasonably lowly position, Nathan Jones' side aren't easy to play against, and they make things tough for the opposition at the Valley.

The hosts did most of their business earlier in the transfer window, making just one addition on deadline day. Conor Coady, who joined the club in January, slotted straight into central midfield, although it'll be interesting to see whether Conor Coventry is reintroduced. Charlton's forward line has been boosted by the return of Matty Godden, who looked sharper and leaner on his comeback last weekend.

Only three sides have left this stadium with maximum points since August 23rd, including high-flying Middlesbrough and away specialists Derby County. It won't be easy for QPR.

The R's put in a tremendous performance to beat leaders Coventry last weekend, despite falling behind early in the second-half. Richard Kone's work-rate and Nicolas Madsen's craft were instrumental to their success, although they haven't been able to match these levels of performance on the road.

They're unbeaten in three of their last four outside of West London, yet they haven't picked up maximum points on their travels since November 26th, when visiting Blackburn. They may have to settle for another stalemate here.

Derby v Ipswich - BTTS at Pride Park

Saturday, 12:31, Live on Sky Sports Football

Derby stuck five past Bristol City last weekend and have enjoyed an eight-day break ahead of this game. John Eustace's side have excelled on the road this season, although their form at Pride Park has been a little underwhelming in comparison. It's just one win in seven in front of their own fans and they put in a fairly languid performance against out-of-form West Brom at the end of January.

Nevertheless, the squad is looking strong and there have been many new additions to the squad in the last month. Derry Murkin is an unknown name, but, Sammie Szmodics is a seasoned goalscorer at this level. Unfortunately, he will be ineligible to face his parent club on Saturday lunchtime.

Ipswich's trip to Pompey was postponed in midweek, giving the squad extra preparation time for this weekend's trip to the East Midlands. The Tractor Boys have struggled on the road this season, and a run of three consecutive games away from Portman Road is less than ideal for Kieran McKenna.

It was a largely frustrating deadline day for the Suffolk outfit with the club unable to bring in a new striker before the window closed. They still possess a hugely talented squad, with plenty of firepower and have netted in 10 of their last 11 away games. They are far less effective without Marcelino Nunez, but they still should have enough to get on the scoresheet.

Norwich v Blackburn - Canaries to bounce back from Boro defeat

Saturday, 12:31, Live on Sky Sports+ App

Norwich's three-match winning streak was ended by high-flying Middlesbrough last weekend. The Canaries produced a decent display and could easily have taken a point from the game, but they found Kim Hellberg's side a too obstinate. Philippe Clement's side have improved exponentially, and some January additions have helped to lift the spirits of fans.

Sam Field brings some know-how to the squad, whereas Mohamed Toure adds depth to the striking department, with the future of Josh Sargent still uncertain.

The Canaries should have too much for Blackburn going forward. Ali Ahmed is direct and pacey, Anis Ben Slimane has been transformed since returning to the XI, and Papa Diallo is capable of producing sensational deliveries. They also have plenty of options from the bench with Matej Jurasek and Oscar Schwartau able to deputise if required.

Blackburn picked up a much-needed victory over Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night. Damien Johnson took charge of the team following the dismissal of Val Ismael, although his side still managed just nine shots, and failed to create too many clear-cut opportunities.

They've netted just once in their last four away games and have dropped into the bottom three. This is a tricky trip for the out-of-form Lancastrians.

Southampton v Watford - Hornets to keep things tight at St. Marys

Saturday, 12:31, Live on Sky Sports+ App

Southampton are slowly but surely returning to form following a disastrous festive period. For all of their struggles lately, the Saints have still only lost one of their 10 home matches under Tonda Eckert, and that came against away specialists Hull City.

With the transfer window closed, they can focus on climbing the table and there should be a little more consistency in their line-ups. Daniel Peretz is a clear upgrade in goal and he has pulled off some important stops since arriving in the second tier. Cyle Larin may also make his debut for the club, having joined from Mallorca on loan.

They had very few issues brushing aside Stoke last weekend, and they beat a rotated Sheffield United in their previous home games.

Javi Gracia left Watford on Sunday, leaving Charlie Daniels, Dan Gosling and Adrian Mariappa in charge for Tuesday's trip to Hull. The Hornets produced a decent display and could easily have won the game against the in-form hosts. They took 16 shots, produced an xG of 1.16 and rarely looked like conceding. The 17-year-old Stephen Mfuni was given his debut and coped admirably, and Nampalys Mendy was restored to the XI, having been exiled under the previous regime.

There is unlikely to be much between these two sides and it could be a close contest.

Birmingham v Leicester - Consecutive wins for rejuvenated Blues

Saturday, 15:01

As expected, Birmingham have splashed the cash this January, and although this may raise a few eyebrows from fans of other Championship clubs, it appears to be money well-spent. The Blues were going stale, particularly on the road, and they needed an injection of fresh blood.

They produced a much better performance on the road last weekend as they eased past Oxford, who had been previously unbeaten under Matt Bloomfield. Jhon Solis and Ibrahim Osman have contributed straight away and Marvin Ducksch has benefited from having fresher legs around him.

Leicester's struggles continued with another error-strewn performance at home to Charlton. The Foxes couldn't recover from their man disadvantage, and have now failed to win any of their last four. They remain under temporary management, and despite some modest activity on deadline, it's hard to imagine that they'll have enough to take anything from this contest.

Coventry v Oxford - Cov to get back to winning ways

Saturday, 15:01

Coventry's display at QPR last weekend was uncharacteristically flat. They weren't helped by a ropey playing surface, yet an xG of just 0.59 and some disjointed attacking play isn't what Cov fans have come to expect from their side. Their wobble on the road drags on, but they have been fairly reliable at the CBS, winning each of their last two by a 2-1 scoreline.

The addition of Frank Onyeka feels like a sensible and savvy signing with the combative midfielder tasked with helping Matt Grimes, who has been overwhelmed at times recently. If the hosts wish to play on the front foot, then they need a steady base and a player to hold the fort. Onyeka should provide this.

Unfortunately, Brandon Thomas-Asante is banned for two more games, having only recently returned from injury, despite this, the club should still have plenty of attack-minded players available for this one.

Oxford have lost back-to-back games, and the fixtures don't get much easier with this weekend's trip to the leaders. Whilst their hosts have been able to have a week on the training pitch, the Yellows have been on their travels and produced an xG of just 0.97 in the Steel City. They'll need to show more adventure if they wish to take anything from this.

Hull v Bristol City - Low-scoring clash at the MKM

Saturday, 15:01

Hull looked a little jaded on Tuesday night as they laboured to a goalless draw with Watford. They were second best throughout, and still put some decent deliveries into the box, however, they were outworked by the Hornets. Sergej Jakirovic admitted that it was a tough game for his men and was satisfied with a point. He will be expected to take maximum from this tie.

The unlikely promotion contenders have kept back-to-back clean sheets and three in their last four. Notwithstanding the January additions, they've looked fairly settled and they are likely to stick with a similar XI for this weekend's contest.

Bristol City's car crash of a transfer window was improved by two late additions, although whether either Noah Eile or Tomi Horvat are able to make an immediate impression remains to be seen. They are missing the creativity of Max Bird, who is still a few weeks away from fitness.

I'd expect a response to their 5-0 hammering against Derby, but having blanked in four of their last five, they may not carry enough of a threat.

Preston v Portsmouth - Pompey to leave Deepdale with a point

Saturday, 15:01

Preston produced the perfect response to their hammering at Boro. PNE kept things tight at Portman Road and were a constant threat on the break, utilising the raw pace of Daniel Jebbison. They weren't able to hold on for all three points, conceding a late penalty, and they will be disappointed that they didn't quite get over the line. Nevertheless, it ended their three-match losing streak and it gives them something to build on.

Under Paul Heckingbottom, the Lilywhites have arguably been more effective on the road when they've been allowed to sit in and break quickly. At Deepdale, they've not found it easy and have picked up just a single victory (against Sheffield Wednesday) since beating Swansea on Bonfire Night.

They've made some interesting additions in Callum Lang and Andrew Moran. Lang could potentially face his former employers on Saturday afternoon.

Portsmouth weren't able to play in midweek, but it may have been a good thing that their injury-hit squad had the extra time to recover. Colby Bishop will miss this one, but the January additions have given the squad a desperately required refresh. Little is known about Gustavo Caballero and Madiodio Dia, but Jacob Brown has performed to a decent level in the Championship previously.

The visitors are unbeaten in eight of their last nine and they will fancy their chances of capitalising of PNE's recent home woes.

West Brom v Stoke - Potters to squeeze past the struggling hosts

Saturday, 15:01

Only Sheffield Wednesday have lost more games than West Brom so far this season. New manager Eric Ramsay has been unable to get a handle on the squad, and he has already faced the wrath of the Hawthorns faithful. It isn't an excuse for some of the dire defending on display, but his tenure has started with some tricky fixtures. That said, their 3-0 collapse at Fratton Park was indefensible.

He has the chance to salvage some pride with a home game against Stoke, and he will need Deadline Day loanees Hindolo Mustapha and Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba to hit the ground running. The squad still looks unbalanced and insufficient and Ramsay has shown a worrying degree of inflexibility so far.

Stoke's form has been far from vintage and they were far too easily rolled over by Southampton last weekend. Nevertheless, Mark Robins is a seasoned Championship manager and his side are unbeaten in each of their last three matches on the road. Jesurun Rak-Sakyi should add a little bit of unpredictability to the XI and spark some much-needed creativity.

The Potters have been to Birmingham, Norwich and Hull and have taken something from those games. They shouldn't be too fazed by a trip to the Hawthorns.

Wrexham v Millwall - Entertaining clash at the Racecourse

Saturday, 15:01

An intriguing battle between the two sides occupying the final play-off spots. Wrexham weren't completely convincing against Sheffield Wednesday last weekend, yet they managed to take three points and they have strengthened their resources on deadline day. Phil Parkinson has pretty much two players for every position, with Zak Vyner, Bailey Cadamarteri and Davis Keillor-Dunn all arriving in North Wales.

Their home hasn't been exemplary, with just two wins from six, and they rarely keep a clean sheet at this venue. November 26th was the last time that they managed a home shutout and it will be tough against the in-form Lions.

Millwall have lost just one of their last eight and did some sensible business in the window. Tommy Watson and Anthony Patterson arrive at the Den, and offers for Femi Azeez were rejected. Unusually for the Lions, their away form hasn't been particularly strong lately, although they were competitive when visiting leaders Coventry recently. Alex Neil's side will push Wrexham all the way and should make a game of this. I'd expect them to get on the scoresheet.

Swansea v Sheffield Wednesday - Swans to keep Owls at arm's length

Sunday, 12:01pm

Swansea are trundling along nicely and as a result, very little squad surgery was required. Vitor Matos' men could perhaps have benefitted form an additional striker with Adam Idah on the sidelines and Bobby Wales heading to Huddersfield on loan, but the manager will be fairly happy with the situation in South Wales. Leo Walta is a potentially exciting addition, who will look to create chances from midfield and with the arrival of Joel Ward earlier in the month, adding some stability and experience at the back, they look to be in decent shape.

They are in good form, taking seven points from their last five outings. Their away form is a little less reliable, but they have been steady and dependable at home. They've won five of their last six here, including victories against strugglers Blackburn and West Brom. Matos' side should be able to collect three points with the minimum of fuss.

Sheffield Wednesday battled admirably at Blackburn in midweek, but the Owls drew yet another blank. They have been able to make some additions this year, with Marvelous Nakamba, Joel Ndala and Tayo Adaramola following Jerry Yates through the Hillsborough entrance. They still have some experience in the squad with Yan Valery, Svente Ingelsson and the two Liams, Cooper, and Palmer playing regularly. Unfortunately, they aren't able to rest and rotate effectively and they often come unstuck during these busy periods.

Sheffield United v Middlesbrough - Terrific televised tie in the Steel City

Monday, 20:01, Live on Sky Sports Football

The final Championship game of the weekend is an absolute cracker. Sheffield United, fresh from beating Oxford 3-1 on Tuesday night will host in-form Middlesbrough at Bramall Lane. The Blades' home form has been superb since Chris Wilder returned to the dugout, and they are free-scoring in front of their own fans.

They have netted exactly three goals in six of their last seven home matches, and with new signings having arrived this week, Wilder has the luxury of being able to rotate. Patrick Bamford may have shaken off his injury in time for this game, whereas Ki-Jana Hoever, Tahith Chong and Tyrese Campbell are all pushing for starts.

The hosts aren't afraid of going toe-to-toe with the better teams in the division, having beaten Ipswich here recently. They don't concede many goals at home, although it's three matches since they last kept a clean sheet and this is probably their toughest test of the season at Bramall Lane.

Middlesbrough continue to go from strength to strength. They showed a different side to their game with a disciplined second-half showing against Norwich. Boro fans will be delighted that Hayden Hackney remains with the club, and they've also managed to keep hold of Matt Targett, despite speculation of a potential recall.

The Teessiders have won their last two away games, but they've had to do it the hard way. They came from a goal behind to beat Stoke, and they needed a late winner to see off a resurgent West Brom. They have managed to keep it tight at home, but on the road, they are less secure.