Championship Betting Tips: Rams to capitalise on Baggies' woes on Friday night | OneFootball

EFL Championship

Betting tips and predictions for the latest set of Championship fixtures

A busy week in The Championship concludes with a third set of fixtures, and Jack Critchley has used the Betfair sportsbook to deliver his predictions and compile this weekend's tipsheet for all 12 games...

Derby vs West Brom - Rams to win the midfield battle

Friday, 20:00, Live on Sky Sports Football

With just 72 hours between games, this is an exceptionally tight turnaround for both sides. Derby held on to beat Charlton at the Valley, extending their fantastic away record, whereas West Brom suffered humiliation at the Hawthorns. The Rams are the favourites to win this game, although their home record is quite patchy. They have won just one of their last six here, although nearly all of their fixtures at Pride Park have been determined by fine margins.

The hosts have the luxury of being able to rotate their squad for this fixture, and fans have been particularly pleased with the balance in midfield. The return of David Ozoh has re-energised them in the centre of the park and January signing Oscar Fraulo has acclimatised quickly to Championship life. With Liam Thompson and Lewis Travis also available, Bobby Clark has been pushed forward into his more natural position.

Eric Ramsay could not have got off to a worse start in the Black Country. He has been wedded to his system which has involved players various squad members out of position. He hasn't been helped by the unavailability of key midfielders, although his side showed far more intent when Isaac Price was pushed further forward.

We are yet to see how Ramsay's favoured system translates to away games, but the signs are fairly ominous given the way they defended on Tuesday night. I do expect them to be more competitive here, but Derby's quality and organisation is likely to edge this Friday night fixture.

Middlesbrough vs Preston - PNE to test in-form Boro

Saturday, 12:30, Live on Sky Sports + App

Middlesbrough left the Potteries with all three points on Wednesday despite not being at their best. Boro traditionally struggle in Stoke, but were helped by Bosun Lawal's dismissal in the second half. Nevertheless, Kim Hellberg's side have won three consecutive fixtures, netting nine times in the process with Hayden Hackney amongst those who have caught the eye. At 4/7, the Teessiders will be expected to make it four on the bounce, although it is rarely straightforward when Preston visit.

The meeting between these two sides at Deepdale was a thoroughly entertaining affair, finishing 2-2, and although their recent form at Deepdale has subsequently taken a nosedive, Paul Heckingbottom's side are suited to playing on the road. PNE are unbeaten in seven of their last eight on their travels and have failed to notch just once away from Deepdale since the end of August.

They won't be able to able to call upon Milutin Osmajic, who has succumbed to yet another moment of stupidity, however, they should still have enough to get on the scoresheet and make this fairly competitive.

Millwall vs Charlton - Addicks' poor record at the Den to continue

Saturday, 12:30, Live on Sky Sports Football

Millwall were edged out by leaders Coventry in midweek, although they put up a good fight. Alex Neil opted to rotate his squad with Casper de Norre and Alfie Doughty, both recently back from injury, not being risked from the start. The Lions have decent options and they should go full strength for this winnable looking lunchtime fixture.

They made a poor start to the season, although they've flown up the table and have lost just one of their last ten in Bermondsey. That defeat came against away specialists Hull City. They've shown excellent fight, scoring late in both of their last two games here, after being pegged back.

Charlton have continued their January shopping with the addition of Luke Chambers on loan from Liverpool. With Josh Edwards suffering an injury setback and Lloyd Jones receiving treatment on Tuesday night, the visitors' defensive options could be severely limited for this one. They also have a poor record whenever they make this short trip and their recent performances, both of which saw the opposition receive at least one red card, have been underwhelming.

Birmingham vs Stoke - Brum to squeak past injury-hit Potters

Saturday, 15:00

Although it wasn't a vintage performance, Birmingham managed to end their away day hoodoo at Hillsborough on Tuesday night. Chris Davies will be relieved to collect three points, albeit against crisis-ridden opposition. Furthermore, a desperately-required goal from Kyogo Furahashi was the cherry on top of the cake for the West Midlands outfit.

Brum have been busy adding to their squad this month, with Kai Wagner having solved their left-sided issue, and it'll be interesting to see if Jhon Solis, Ibrahim Osman or August Priske are given a start for this home game on Saturday afternoon. The club now have strenth-in-depth, something that their injury-hit opponents could only dream of.

Stoke have had 24 hours less to prepare for this fixture and that coupled with a paper-thin squad is unlikely to cause much optimism amongst the travelling fans. Nevertheless, they have kept clean sheets in each of their last two away games and the majority of their defeats this season have come by a single goal margin.

The injury to loan goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu is the latest blow. He joins Johansson, Tchamadeu, `Gibson, Baker, Mubama, Bozenik, Gallagher, Lowe and Tezgel on the sidelines and it appears as though their bench will largely consist of youth team players once again.

Blackburn vs Watford - BTTS at Ewood Park

Saturday, 15:00

Blackburn's wait for a victory continues with Val Ismael's side slowly slipping into relegation trouble. Alarm bells are starting to ring in this part of East Lancs, although a goal for January addition Mathias Jorgensen was a small positive step in the right direction. Rovers have been a little more competitive at home recently, roaring back from 2-0 down to snatch a draw against Charlton and beating Millwall here just before Xmas.

Watford's last two performances have been a little worrying. The Hornets have taken just a single point from their last two home fixtures, and although they created more from open play than their opponents on Wednesday night, they were unable to fashion out too many opportunities. Furthermore, their form on the road is mixed and they are hard to trust on their travels. Opting for goals is the best option here, with each team liable for mistakes at the back.

Listen to the Football...Only Bettor Saturday preview

Bristol City vs Sheffield Wednesday - Struber's side to put on a show

Saturday, 15:00

Bristol City have failed to score in any of their last three outings, yet this is the perfect fixture to restore some confidence and get back to winning ways. It's impossible to be too critical of their performance at Portman Road against in-form Ipswich, although their 2-0 reverse here to Preston was a little more concerning.

Nevertheless, there is plenty of quality in this squad and although there's still time to add reinforcements, many fans have questioned the decision to sell Haydon Roberts and loan out Yu Hirakawa, without sufficient depth.

Curiously, the Robins have lost their two home matches to Oxford and Blackburn, the two sides who sit directly above Sheffield Wednesday, yet it would be a monumental disappointment if they were to drop points in this one.

Sheffield Wednesday are just unable to compete and although they battled valiantly on Tuesday night, their young defence looks prone to errors. Barry Bannan has been linked with a move away and Sean Fusire's injury is just yet another blow.

Hull vs Swansea - Vipotnik to strike again

Saturday, 15:00

Hull's sensational away form continued on Tuesday with the Tigers securing three points and moving up to the lofty heights of fourth place. The men from Humberside have won six of their last eight and have found the perfect blend with Liam Millar's return from injury leading to Akin Famewo finding a home on the left. Their squad isn't packed with superstars, yet they all appear to understand their roles and the system that they are being asked to play.

They've been slightly less consistent at home, losing three of their last five here and this is not an easy fixture against an upwardly-mobile Swansea.

The visitors have been in excellent form, particularly at home. With six of their last ten fixtures in South Wales, they've been helped by a favourable schedule, nevertheless, they will approach this game with plenty of confidence and will fancy their chances of leaving with at least a point.

Zan Vipotnik has been critical to their recent success. The Slovenian has scored 13 times this season, ten more than any other player in the Swansea squad. His finishing ability is outstanding and he's riding the crest of a wave. Back him to do it again here.

Leicester vs Oxford - Points shared at the KP

Saturday, 15:00

Leicester's stuttering form continued in midweek, although they will be pleased to have taken a point back from North Wales against in-form Wrexham. The Foxes cannot stop conceding goals and some questionable goalkeeping saw them fall behind to a Lewis O'Brien strike. At home, they've been more efficient, winning four of their last six, although they left it late against West Brom.

Their biggest threat recently has been Jordan James, although the on loan midfielder walked off gingerly after 41 minutes on Tuesday night and that is a huge concern for the fans. They do still possess threats down the flanks and will test Oxford's backline.

Matt Bloomfield has toughened his side up and that has led them to consecutive 0-0 draws. Their form on the road has been poor and they haven't picked up maximum points since October 25th. Nevertheless, they are battling for the new gaffer and they should remain competitive throughout the 90 minutes. That may just be enough to secure a third consecutive stalemate.

QPR vs Wrexham - Visitors to sneak past out-of-form hosts

Saturday, 15:00

QPR produced an insipid display on Tuesday night as they barely threatened against Oxford. Recent displays, albeit affected by injuries, have been dull and uninspiring and they need to show more adventure in the final third if they have any hopes of taking maximum points off Wrexham.

It remains to be seen whether Julian Stephan deems Ronnie Edwards fit enough to start, and we may also see Harvey Vale, recently back in the fold, unleashed for this game. Even against Sheffield Wednesday, their performance was fairly underwhelming and with just one win in six, confidence is low.

Wrexham continue to be the division's draw-specialists and will have been disappointed to have dropped points against Leicester in midweek. Nevertheless, they have won each of their last two on the road and are one of the few sides who have the luxury of rotation during busy periods.

They may to be patient on Saturday afternoon, and bide their time, but they should have enough quality to sneak past the undercooked hosts.

Sheffield United vs Ipswich - Tractor Boys to come out on the right side of an entertaining spectacle

Saturday, 15:00

Sheffield United will want revenge for the 5-0 defeat back in September. Admittedly, a lot has changed since then, including the manager and much of the playing squad, yet, this will be a chance to get back at the Tractor Boys.

Chris Wilder opted for some midweek rotation, yet their 1-0 defeat to Southampton simply underlined the drop-off in quality from the first-choice XI to the understudies. Players such as Oli Arblaster and Tahith Chong are only just returning to form and Ben Mee isn't likely to start two games in a row. I'd expect Femi Seriki, Patrick Bamford and Gus Hamer to all return to the line-up for this fixture.

Ipswich's form has been sensational recently, scoring 12 and conceding just one across their last six Championship games. They've barely allowed their opponents a sniff, although it won't be easy to keep the Blades at arm's length.

Kieran McKenna's men are having a surge and have finally clicked, as many people predicted. They should win this, but a clean sheet feels unlikely against their determined hosts.

Portsmouth vs Southampton - a low-scoring and tense encounter at Fratton Park

Sunday, 12:00, Live on Sky Sports+ App

This is the first time since 2011 that Southampton have visited Fratton Park for a league match. The Saints will be buoyed by a 1-0 victory over Sheffield United, a much-needed success for the under-fire Tonda Eckert. This will be a much stiffer challenge and Eckert will need to stress the important of this local derby to the players.

Although they aren't travelling far, the Saints' away form has been fairly miserable and they have conceded nine goals across their last four on the road. Portsmouth are unlikely to punish them in this way, but they shouldn't be underestimated.

Fratton Park is not an easy place to visit and can be intimidating for opposition players. John Mousinho's men are unbeaten in their last three here and in four of their last five. Coventry were the last side to score more than a single goal at this ground back in October and Saints will need to be up for the battle.

Pompey's squad has been beset by injury, yet they have made some January additions and Ebou Adams made an instant impression on Wednesday night. They should be able to keep this close.

Norwich vs Coventry - Entertaining Monday night contest in East Anglia

Monday, 20:00, Live on Sky Sports Football

Norwich have finally clambered out of the relegation zone. Philippe Clement has completely transformed the Canaries, yet it's taken several weeks to get their heads above the dotted line. They are in free-scoring form, and don't appear to be impacted by the ongoing transfer saga involving Josh Sargent. It appears as though the US international has played his last game in East Anglia, although plenty of other players have been chipping in with goals and Jovon Makama has led the line superbly in his absence.

They hit five past West Brom in midweek and there were sensational displays from Ben Chrisene and Anis Ben Slimane, who came off the bench and was outstanding for the second 45.

Coventry maintained their advantage at the top of the table with a 2-1 victory against Millwall. Romaine Esse has given them another option on the flanks and Haji Wright has rediscovered his goalscoring touch at just the right time. Cov's away from has been a little inconsistent, and this is a tricky away trip for Frank Lampard's lads.

They haven't managed to keep a clean sheet on their travels since November 8th and still have key defenders absent.

Now read this weekend's betting tips

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