Championship Tips: Back goals when Middlesbrough go to Hull on Friday | OneFootball

EFL Championship

Tips and predictions for this weekend's Championship action

The top half of the Championship is ridiculously tight, with just four points separating fourth and 16th, and another set of intriguing fixtures taking place this weekend. Jack Critchley has selected his best bets from the latest round of games...

Hull vs Middlesbrough - Goals galore on Friday night

Friday, 20:00, Live on Sky Sports Football

It was a game of two halves for Hull last weekend as the Tigers produced a fantastic second-half response at Stoke to turn the game on its head. Sergej Jakirovic was delighted with his side's response to his reshuffle at the break, and they fought for every ball during the second 45. The men from Humberside could have had a penalty early in the game and rode their luck at times in the first-half, with Stoke fluffing several presentable opportunities.

Hull tend to give the opposition plenty of chances, and they may struggle to deal with a Middlesbrough side who have shown a little more attacking intent under new boss Kim Hellberg, particularly in wide areas.

Boro also came back from a goal down to claim all three points last weekend with Hellberg picking up his first success since swapping Stockholm for Teesside. Morgan Whittaker has rediscovered his form and they probably should have extended their advantage in the second-half. Unfortunately, the visitors face a defensive crisis this week with several first choice players unavailable. Alex Bangura was handed his first start at left-back last weekend with Matt Targett doing an admirable job deputising at centre back alongside Alfie Jones.

With an unconventional back-line, Boro are always liable to concede, especially to a Hull side who are quick in transition and have an in-form striker in Joe Gelhardt.

Charlton vs Portsmouth - Addicks to get back to winning at home

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

Nathan Jones will have relished a quieter week to work with his squad and get players back to fitness following a gruelling seven days. Charlton struggled to show their usual intensity with the triple header of Southampton, Stoke and Coventry proving a step too far for the Addicks' injury-hit squad. The Welshman will also be pleased to get back to the Valley, where they have produced all of their better displays since returning to the Championship.

Averaging 2.3 points per game at this venue since New Year's Day, Charlton will fancy their chances of getting back to winning ways here. Although they have six games throughout December, the next two are at the Valley and that should enable them to end their run of four consecutive defeats.

Portsmouth left it too late against Bristol City, falling to a 1-0 defeat at Fratton Park last weekend. John Mousinho's side offered very little in the first-half, offering an xG of 0.02 from open play prior to the break. Mousinho lamented his side's inability to get the basics right and having picked up just four points from their last eight games, they desperately need to start picking up points ahead of the hectic festive period.

They've conceded 3+ goals in each of their last three away games and, although that sequence is unlikely to continue here, they may fall short.

Derby vs Leicester - Goals at both ends in the East Midlands

Saturday, 12:30, Live on Sky Sports Football

Derby produced a productive first-half performance against Middlesbrough before seemingly sitting back and trying to defend their lead. John Eustace sides are renowned for their defensive stability but they've looked a little uncertain at the back recently, failing to keep a clean sheet in over a month.

Derby blew a two-goal lead at home to Watford, conceded late to Swansea and then unable to maintain their advantage last weekend. They are without Carlton Morris up front and the loss of both David Ozoh and Lewis Travis hasn't helped their cause. Ozoh's absence has been keenly felt with the Rams struggling to control games sufficiently.

Leicester's season continues to go from bad to worse. The Foxes will learn their fate soon and a points deduction appears to be imminent. On the pitch, they have struggled at the back and several players have looked a little disinterested. Five defeats in eight has heaped pressure on Marti Cifuentes, although the club may not be able to afford to make a change anytime soon.

It's no clean sheet since September 20 and they are unlikely to keep the hosts at arm's length for a full 90 minutes on Saturday lunchtime.

Watford vs Norwich - Rejuvenated Canaries to go on the attack

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

Watford produced a decent display on Monday evening at St. Andrews, but for all their chances, they weren't able to take anything back to Hertfordshire. Javi Gracia's side have been much improved since the change of management, and they've been particularly attack-minded at home. They've failed to win their last two, although they've both finished 1-1 and they took 24 shots when hosting Preston at the end of November.

Othmane Maamma is another raw talent who has been picked up by Watford and the young Moroccan has created an impression since being drafted into the starting XI.

Norwich may have been given an easy ride against QPR last weekend, but it was a much-needed victory for the Canaries, who are finally off the mark at Carrow Road. Philippe Clement has got his side performing with a greater intensity and although his goal drought continues, Josh Sargent won't come much closer to hitting the back of the net.

With an xG of 1.31, they played with more purpose and Pelle Mattsson has started to find his feet alongside Kenny McLean. Forson Amankwah and Emiliano Marcondes have been lambasted by the crowd this season, but both have stepped up following Liam Manning's departure.

Blackburn vs Sheffield Wednesday - Gudjohnsen to strike again for Rovers

Saturday, 15:00

Blackburn's hectic schedule continued in midweek with a 1-1 at home to Ipswich. They were the slightly better side, playing with their usual high-energy approach and causing issues for the Tractor Boys. Rovers' standout performer throughout November has undoubtedly been Ryan Alebiosu, providing ammunition and energy on the right side of the pitch. The 23-year-old may not have got on the scoresheet yet, but he's slung in 84 crosses so far and 2.29 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes.

The former Kortrijk winger is able to provide a steady stream of balls into the box and with striker Andri Gudjohnsen firing, it has proven to be a profitable route to goal throughout November. The Icelandic frontman has six for the season, averaging over two shots per game. Sheffield Wednesday's defence has been far from secure recently and Gudjohnsen will be looking to take full advantage and carry on his fine form.

Wednesday were involved in a topsy-turvy encounter with Preston last weekend. Charlie McNeill caught the eye with two goals, three shots on target and a missed penalty. In McNeill, the Owls have an outlet who can add a spark to their struggling squad. They should play their part in an absorbing encounter, but they could be susceptible to the hosts' energy, despite their scheduling disadvantage.

Bristol City vs Millwall - End-to-end encounter at Ashton Gate

Saturday, 15:00

Gerhard Struber successfully negotiated a potentially tricky week with six points from a possible nine. Bristol City bounced back from an iffy period, exacerbated by injuries, with victories against Pompey and Swansea and their record at Ashton Gate has been fairly solid overall. Two of their three defeats have come against away-day specialists Blackburn and QPR, and they have conceded just twice in their last four here.

Struber is a likeable character, and is popular with the fans. He must now negotiate a tricky period in which they play five times in the space of 20 days, not ideal for their injury-hit squad. Their bench has looked a little light recently with several fringe and youth players being asked to fill spots, with very little chance of establishing themselves as first-team regulars.

Nevertheless, they have netted in seven in their last eight games here and are always capable of causing issues for the opposition.

Millwall produced a stunning display to beat Southampton last weekend, with Femi Azeez and Caleb Taylor scoring fantastic goals at the Den. The Lions are far better with Casper de Norre in the XI, and the return of the aforementioned Azeez has given them far more gusto in the final third.

They have bounced back from a winless run of four games, and have rediscovered their scoring touch. Their away form has been up and down, but they've found the net in seven of their last eight on the road with only Birmingham keeping them off the scoresheet.

Ipswich vs Coventry - Sky Blues to show no signs of slowing down

Saturday, 15:00

Ipswich's mixed form continued this week with an underwhelming 1-1 draw at Blackburn and a less-than-satisfactory 2-1 defeat to Oxford. The Tractor Boys have struggled to find consistency and Kieran McKenna's continuous chopping and changing hasn't helped. He's been unable to find a way to squeeze both Jack Clarke and Jaden Philogene into the XI and the balance isn't quite right in midfield.

McKenna made changes at HT at Ewood Park, hooking Ivan Azon and Jack Taylor, yet this did not have the desired effect. It's just two wins in six for the Suffolk outfit, who appeared to be upwardly mobile at the beginning of November. They've won just one of their last four at Portman Road and the arrival of the league leaders is far from ideal following back-to-back midweek fixtures.

Coventry continue to lead the way and have a 10-point advantage over second place Middlesbrough. The Sky Blues have struggled at the back, failing to keep a clean sheet in any of their last three games. They afforded Charlton multiple opportunities in the first-half and were also worryingly open against Middlesbrough 10 days ago.

Nevertheless, Frank Lampard's side are free-flowing and are scoring goals for fun. They took 26 shots with an xG of 2.43 at the weekend and Ellis Simms looks exceptionally sharp. Josh Eccles, who has barely featured this season has come into the XI and is already off the mark. They should be able to outscore the hosts and continue their momentum here.

Preston vs Wrexham - Visitors to extend their unbeaten run

Saturday, 15:00

Paul Heckingbottom praised his side's drive and will to win last weekend, yet he was unhappy with several aspects of the performance and admitted that he won't enjoy rewatching their 3-2 victory over Sheffield Wednesday. PNE gave away the ball fairly cheaply and their defending left plenty to be desired. It's now five matches since the Lilywhites kept a clean sheet and, although they've been better at Deepdale this season, they are coming up against one of the most organised sides in the division.

Wrexham have climbed to 10th in the table, following an eight-match unbeaten sequence. The Welsh side have won four of their last five at home and have drawn each of their last three on the road. Nobody has scored more than a single goal against them on their travels since September 20 and they haven't been beaten away from home since they suffered last-gasp heartbreak on the opening weekend of the campaign.

They should be solid enough to take at least a point back down the M6 on Saturday afternoon.

QPR vs West Brom - Baggies to use last week's victory as a springboard

Saturday, 15:00

QPR fans are accustomed to inconsistencies and their side is certainly delivering plenty of ups and downs this season. With a 2-1-4 record across their last seven games, it has been far from their best run of form, yet their performances are undoubtedly better away from Loftus Road. They did beat Hull in their previous fixture in west London, although they've conceded 10 times across their last five here.

They undoubtedly have the attacking credentials and Rumarn Burrell has been one of the standout strikers in the division. The return of Karamoko Dembele and Ilias Chair will give them further firepower, yet they cannot keep clean sheets and their defence is easily breachable. Injuries to key defenders haven't helped with Julian Stephan forced to shuffle his pack fairly regularly. Both Sam Field and Amadou Mbengue struggled last week and another makeshift back-line will surely play into the Baggies' hands.

Ryan Mason got a much-needed victory last weekend and relieved the pressure on himself. WBA rallied from 2-0 down to overcome Swansea, although it was one-way traffic from mid-way through the first-half. All of the players ran over to Mason at the final whistle and there appears to be camaraderie amongst the squad. That should bode well for the rest of the season and last weekend's success may just be the catalyst for an unbeaten run. They have lost five consecutive games on the road, but this is a good chance to end that barren run.

Sheffield United vs Stoke - Stoke's poor run set to continue at Bramall Lane

Saturday, 15:00

Chris Wilder claimed that his side 'dismantled' Leicester last weekend as the Blades ran out 3-2 winners at the King Power. They have clicked in the final third and were fast out of the blocks seven days ago. They've now scored exactly three goals in each of their last three matches and having appeared to be a little leggy during the second-half, they will have benefited from having a full week off.

The stats perhaps don't reflect Sheffield United's dominance with the data suggesting they chalked up just 0.9 xG, yet they looked dangerous going forward throughout the game and played with a terrific intensity. They have kept a clean sheet in three of their last four, and created plenty of chances at the CBS when losing 3-1 to Coventry at the beginning of November.

Tom Cannon is beginning to find form and the addition of Jairo Riedewald has added some much-needed steel and experience to the XI.

Stoke have dropped off lately and haven't been able to match their early-season form. Mark Robins' side had been tough to penetrate at the beginning of the campaign, but they've conceded twice in two of their last three matches, and squandered their advantage against Hull. Despite this, they do seem to be able to carve out chances. They've won just two of their last seven on the road and they are travelling to face a team who have upward momentum.

Southampton vs Birmingham - Crazy encounter in Hampshire

Saturday, 15:00

Tonda Eckert's honeymoon period was ended by Millwall last weekend as the Saints lost 3-2 at The Den. The Saints managed eight shots on target and weren't short of opportunities, yet they were far too open and allowed the hosts an xG of 1.83. Despite the outcome, the hosts have scored 2+ goals in each of their last five Championship matches, but have kept just a single clean sheet during that run.

Finn Azaz was Southampton's standout performer once again, although they missed Leo Scienza, who was out with an illness. He should be back for this and that should improve their chances of getting back to winning ways.

Birmingham continued their exemplary home form on Monday night with a 2-1 success over Watford. It wasn't a vintage performance from the Blues, but they are scoring goals and were operating with a makeshift right-back in Bright Osayi-Samuel. Away from home, they've struggled for goals, averaging just 0.67 goals per game, but they should have enough firepower to find a way past the home defence.

Just in case they fail to fire here, it may be a safer option to back the hosts to register 2+ goals once again.

Swansea vs Oxford - Matos to continue his wait for his first victory

Saturday, 15:00

Swansea raced into a two-goal lead last weekend, yet ended up slipping to a 3-2 defeat. The Welsh side have lost five on the bounce and new boss Vitor Matos appears to have his work cut out. It would have been an injustice had the Swans come away with three points, given they managed just three efforts and an xG of just 0.21.

It's the second successive week in which they've taken fewer than 10 shots in a game and, although they have individual talent such as Van Zipotnik, they cannot rely on moments of brilliance from these performers.

Oxford beat Ipswich last weekend with Gary Rowett masterminding a superb away performance. The Yellows are three unbeaten, although their form on the road has been less than satisfactory. Nevertheless, you can guarantee 100% commitment amidst a smattering of quality and that may be enough to get them over the line here. They've picked up points against the current bottom two and with the Swans hovering dangerously above the relegation zone, they have every chance of leaving with at least a point.

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