Championship Tips: Expect entertainment when Derby visit the Den | OneFootball

Millwall vs Derby - Value in backing goals in Bermondsey

Tuesday, 19:45, Live on Sky Sports+ App

Millwall were a little lucky to beat Hull at the weekend, although they were dealt a pre-match blow with the loss of the influential Casper de Norre to injury. Although the extent of the Belgian's injury is unknown, he is unlikely to be risked here. Alfie Doughty is a long-term absentee, and Caleb Taylor may also be forced to sit this one out, as he did at the weekend.

De Norre's injury means that the Lions relinquish some control in the middle of the park and they gave up an xG of 3.04 to the Tigers. Alex Neil's policy was to go all-out attack and although it worked on this occasion, it's a risky strategy which may open up the game and allow Derby to take advantage.

Clean sheets aren't as frequent at this venue this season, with just three shutouts here since late November.

Derby were victorious against Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend, a game in which they started at 1/41.25 favourites. They had four big chances, and although the visitors offered little going forward, they still managed to concede to their former striker, Jerry Yates. There have been 13 goals across their last three outings, and that recent trend will be expected to continue against a Millwall side who may not be as obstinate as they have previously been.

Leicester vs Bristol City - BTTS at the KP

Tuesday, 19:45, Live on the Sky Sports+ App

Leicester picked up a creditable draw at Ipswich at the weekend, boosting their hopes of Championship survival. Although performances have improved under Gary Rowett, and they have become a little tougher to beat, they still haven't won a game in the second tier since January 5th, and have conceded 2+ in each of their last four home matches.

They are 6/52.20 favourites to end that run here, and this is their best chance in a long while to collect maximum points and pile the pressure on their fellow strugglers.

Bristol City are in freefall. Gerhard Struber has cut a frustrated figure, watching his side lose three of their last four, either side of an undeserved success at Blackburn.

They are conceding too many, although having just one fit centre back is a major hindrance. They do have threats at the other end of the field, although the fans are becoming a little frustrated at watching Sinclair Armstrong's lack of finesse. Adam Randell will miss this through suspension.

Neither side can be trusted to keep a clean sheet, although I cannot see this descending into a chaotic end-to-end affair.

Tuesday, 19:45, Live on Sky Sports+ App

Although Portsmouth are four points clear of the relegation zone, Oxford's victory, coupled with Leicester and WBA claiming a point on Saturday, means that John Mousinho's side cannot breathe easy just yet. They will have been frustrated with the late consolation against Blackburn, although they produced an xG of just 0.57 and landed just one of their 14 shots on target. They lacked quality in the final third. That has been an issue for them throughout the season as they have been unable to keep their best attacking outlets fit enough to be on the same pitch together.

Nevertheless, they've been reasonably tough to break down, well-organised and the players are clearly fighting to stay in this division.

Swansea's 2-0 victory over Stoke was fairly straightforward once Sorba Thomas had been dismissed for the visitors. Swans have been imperious in South Wales, yet they've been lacking on the road, losing nine of the last 11. Vitor Matos' side are likely to find this a tricky assignment on Tuesday evening.

Sheffield Wednesday vs Watford - Hornets to make light work of the hosts

Tuesday, 19:45, Live on Sky Sports+ App

Sheffield Wednesday continue to battle, but to little avail. There is little motivation for the players, except to put themselves in the shop window or earn themselves a place in the starting XI next season. On a positive note, having drawn a blank in nine consecutive matches, they've subsequently scored in four of their last five and now look to have a little bit more purpose in the final third.

Watford didn't play at the weekend, so they will be suitably refreshed and raring to go for this midweek match. Ed Still is the kind of manager who will relish the time on the training pitch and he will be expecting his side to collect maximum points here. They've scored twice in each of their last two away games and have looked far sharper in the final third following the change of head coach.

The visitors are surprisingly effective on the road, losing just twice since October 25th, both defeats by single-goal margins. They are 4/91.44 to win this, but with a few extra goals chucked in, there is a bit of value to be found.

Wrexham vs Hull - Another entertaining evening for the home fans

Tuesday, 19:45, Live on Sky Sports+ App

Wrexham were involved in a topsy-turvy FA Cup contest at the weekend, but were eventually eliminated by Chelsea. Although it is disappointing for them, it means that Phil Parkinson's side can now concentrate on booking their place in the final four-team play-offs at the end of the season. They currently occupy that coveted sixth spot and there are a number of teams directly below them who are keen to usurp them. A win in this game, and they could go level with the side directly above them.

Games at the Racecourse have been very entertaining lately, and across the course of the campaign, matches here are averaging 3.39 goals per game. They aren't afraid to attack and go on the front foot and have enough attacking talent in the squad to mix things up if they get a bit stale.

They are taking on a Hull side, who undeservedly slipped up at the weekend. As highlighted in the preview of their game against Millwall, they had countless openings, twice hitting the woodwork, and spurning some terrific opportunities. They aren't scoring as many goals on the road, nor are they as open, but the way they switch play, and move through the gears can frighten the opposition defence and it would be a surprise to see them draw a blank. They have a few defensive injuries with little cover at full back, so they are also likely to come under plenty of pressure from the hosts.

Stoke vs Ipswich - Potters to make it tough for the promotion-chasing visitors

Tuesday, 20:00, Live on Sky Sports Football

Stoke had an afternoon to forget in South Wales at the weekend as they lost 2-0 and saw Sorba Thomas dismissed. The Potters don't have much left to play for this season, but they are frequently competitive at home and have a decent record here against bottom-half opposition. When hosting the current top six, they have lost three of four, managing to sneak past Wrexham earlier in the campaign. All of those defeats have been by a single goal margin, and they are likely to make this game competitive, despite a perceived lack of motivation.

They missed two presentable opportunities at the weekend and had a goal disallowed and they have looked a little more threatening since adding some reinforcements in the January transfer window.

Ipswich dropped points against Leicester at the weekend, missing out on the chance to move into the automatic promotion spots. They can be hugely inconsistent on the road, and are capable of dropping points on their travels. They are yet to keep a clean sheet when visiting a side in the bottom half, although they still have plenty of them to play.

They will be motivated to bounce back, but Stoke won't make it easy for them.

Birmingham vs QPR - Brum to get back to winning ways on Wednesday

Wednesday, 19:45, Live on Sky Sports+ App

Birmingham were involved in a game of very few chances on Saturday afternoon as they failed to lay a glove on Charlton at the Valley. Chris Davies has come under scrutiny with some disappointed by the lack of character, and fight shown by Brum, particularly on their travels. Three consecutive defeats have severely dented their top-six ambitions, but this looks like a realistic chance of getting back on track.

Generally speaking, they've been fairly reliable at home, although they've only actually won twice since the beginning of December. A combination of too many voices, and lofty ambition will surely spell the end of Davies if he isn't able to gatecrash the play-off spots and he will be feeling the pressure ahead of this one.

Although the final score suggested that the game was one-way traffic, QPR put up a reasonable fight against Middlesbrough for long periods of the game. Boro's opening goal was controversial and Harvey Vale rattled the woodwork for the hosts. Nevertheless, their poor form continues and their injury issues continue to mount. They've conceded 11 without reply across their last two matches and have also failed to find the net in four of their last five away games.

Julian Stephan's side are just keen to get to the end of the season and regroup.

Middlesbrough vs Charlton - Narrow success for the in-form hosts

Wednesday, 19:45, Live on Sky Sports+ App

Middlesbrough strengthened their grip on second place with a 4-0 victory on Sunday afternoon. The Teessiders are a joy to watch when they're in full flow, but there was the odd moment when they looked vulnerable at the back. Kim Hellberg's side have scored seven goals across their last two matches and all of their attacking players are chipping in with goals at the moment.

This is unlikely to be straightforward with the North Easterners having struggled to break down sides who implement a low block previously. They've been held to draws by Blackburn, Oxford and Leicester this season here, and couldn't find a way past Hull when they adopted similar tactics at the end of 2025.

Charlton are fighting under Nathan Jones and picked up three valuable points at the weekend. The Welshman was keen to stress that every win, and every point is important at this level and they will relish the challenge of ruffling the feathers of a potentially Premier League-bound outfit.

They were only narrowly defeated in the first meeting of the season and there is unlikely to be much in this.

Norwich vs Sheffield United - Canaries to punish lacklustre Blades

Wednesday, 19:45, Live on Sky Sports+ App

Norwich's play-off ambitions are probably a little too far-fetched at this stage of the season, but the Canaries are ending the season on a high and they are full of confidence, despite a raft of injuries to key players. Pelle Mattsson is likely to be eased back in gently, although this game may come too soon for Oscar Schwartau. Amankwah Forson is also back in contention, and they should have enough strength-in-depth to wade through this hectic period.

The hosts have won seven of their last nine, with one of their defeats coming against high-flying Middlesbrough. They've also managed to keep clean sheets in four of their last five, with Philippe Clement having melded them into a cohesive unit who should make a bid for promotion next season if they can keep the majority of the squad together.

Sheffield United put in a lacklustre performance at the weekend, dropping points at Bramall Lane. They are usually reliable at home, but this was an unusually subdued display, and they managed just two shots on target. Patrick Bamford went off injured and Chris Wilder has been prone to rotating for these midweek games. That may backfire. Their away form has been mixed, although they come off the back of consecutive victories. This will be tougher than a visit to Loftus Road.

Oxford vs Blackburn - Yellows to edge past Rovers in key relegation battle

Wednesday, 19:45, Live on Sky Sports+ App

Oxford have got the bit between their teeth. Matt Bloomfield's side have won back-to-back games and have given themselves a chance of survival. They are still four points off safety, so there's plenty of work still to be done, however, a victory at the Kassam would lift them to within a point of the visitors. They thoroughly deserved their three points, registering a xG of 1.97, plundering seven shots on target and creating four big chances. This was a significant step up from their recent displays and they will take plenty of confidence into this home fixture.

Bloomfield described it as 'the performance in my time here' and although they had just 30% possession, they showed character, spirit and determination. All essential qualities that are required for a relegation battle.

Blackburn have taken just a single point from their last three matches, and there was a clear lack of quality in the final third during their 1-1 draw with Portsmouth at the weekend. Sondre Tronstad's season-ending injury is a huge blow and they will need more than one shot on target if they are to take three points from this game.

West Brom vs Southampton - Saints to be tested at the Hawthorns

Wednesday, 19:45, Live on Sky Sports+ App

West Brom picked up another point in their fight against relegation on Saturday afternoon. The Baggies haven't won since December 29th, but they have also avoided defeat in four of their last six and are showing a little bit of endeavour and spirit. Unfortunately, they are lacking quality, and the injury to Mikey Johnston is a blow to their creativity. Saturday's draw was secured by a wonder goal from defender George Campbell, who had previously put through his own net. They may have to rely on more moments of magic in their bid to keep their heads above water.

They've netted just three times in their last seven games, but they've also toughened up.

Southampton booked their place in the next round of the FA Cup, opting for a strong XI at Craven Cottage. They are in decent form, avoiding defeat since January 17th, winning each of their last three away fixtures. They will be on a high from Sunday's result, but they will need to be at their best to get the better of the Baggies, who will dig in.

Coventry vs Preston - Cov to keep their promotion ambitions on track

Wednesday, 20:00, Live on Sky Sports Football

Coventry took advantage of Ipswich's slip, with a 2-0 victory at Bristol City. The game wasn't quite as straightforward as they would have liked, with Joel Latibeaudiere's first-half sending off complicating matters. Nevertheless, when you consider that Frank Onyeka was only fit enough for the bench and Jack Rudoni was also missing, it can be considered a decent result for the Sky Blues. There have been questions over the side's ability to pick up results on the road this season, yet they have collected the joint-most points away from home (32) alongside Millwall and have now won four on the spin.

Frank Lampard will be pleased to return to the CBS, where they have dropped just five points since the September international break. Late goals have been a feature of their games, with clean sheets also being fairly infrequent lately. Nevertheless, they should have more than enough firepower to outshine a Preston side, who are showing very little fight.

PNE have been better on the road in 2026, and given the state of the pitch at Deepdale, that isn't particularly surprising. They have won just one of their last ten and appear to be settling for a mid-table finish. Paul Heckingbottom's side have netted just twice in their last four away games and this is likely to be a tough midweek mission for the Lancastrians.

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