Monday Night Championship Tips: Another disappointing day for the underwhelming Foxes | OneFootball

EFL Championship

Best bets for Monday night in the Championship

The festive Championship fixtures are fast and furious, and there's another full set taking place on Monday night. Jack Critchley has used the Betfair sportsbook to pick out his best bets...

Coventry vs Ipswich - Cov to impress at the CBS

Monday, 18:00, Live on Sky Sports Football

With both Middlesbrough and Ipswich dropping points on Boxing Day, Coventry moved eight points clear at the top of the Championship table. In the process, they also moved 13 points clear of third place, giving them a healthy cushion over the chasing pack. Cov's victory over Swansea wasn't the prettiest or the most convincing, but they got a little bit of luck and benefitted from a moment of quality from Ephron Mason-Clark. Frank Lampard's men have had a few moments on the road recently, but at the CBS, they've been bulletproof.

The Sky Blues have won eight consecutive matches here, and are yet to be defeated this season. Remarkably, they've managed to keep a clean sheet in their last two outings here, which would have been unthinkable earlier in the campaign.

Ipswich dropped points on the road yet again on Boxing Day, drawing 0-0 at Millwall. It wasn't a terrible performance from McKenna's men, however, they managed to take 16 shots with an xG of just 0.81. They commanded 63% of the possession, yet struggled to carve out anything notable in the final third. It's now four without a victory on their travels and this is a tough assignment for the inconsistent Tractor Boys.

Leicester vs Derby - Rams to push Cifuentes closer to the brink

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

Marti Cifuentes described Friday's 2-1 loss at home to Watford as 'difficult to swallow'. His side certainly had chances, however, their defending left plenty to be desired and the result pushed the Foxes further into midtable mediocrity. It's been a disappointing fortnight for those of a Leicester persuasion, with a three-match unbeaten streak, followed by back-to-back defeats with an aggregate scoreline of 6-2.

It isn't the first time that the former QPR boss has felt himself under pressure, although he has tended to dismiss it as 'just past of the job'. The words 'toothless' and 'uninterested' have been levelled at the Leicester players in recent weeks and they will need to respond with a positive performance on Monday night.

Unfortunately for the hosts, they are facing a side who can be fairly handy on the road. The Rams picked up a 1-1 draw at Birmingham on Boxing Day, although it's unfair to judge the performance given they were reduced to ten men in the first half. John Eustace's men are unbeaten in four, having an in-form striker in Patrick Agyemang and have won of six on their travels.

They are organised and spirited. It feels like a game in which they could thrive.

Middlesbrough vs Hull - Another entertaining clash between this pair

Monday, 19:45

Middlesbrough have drawn back-to-back blanks with Kim Hellberg's honeymoon period seemingly grinding to a halt. Those results aren't necessarily a cause for concern with Boro still creating ample chances in both games, with lady luck simply eluding them in the final third. Hellberg deployed Micah Hamilton on Boxing Day, an experiment he may not wish to revisit here, and with injuries to Matt Targett and Alfie Jones, a reshuffle will be required for this fixture.

Boro's xG is still very positive, and Hull are likely to be far less obstinate opposition than Blackburn. Morgan Whittaker was guilty of spurning decent opportunites on Friday and Tommy Conway's confidence has dropped.

Hull somehow conceded twice to Sheffield Wednesday, yet they showed their determination and quality in the final third to fight back twice and take a point, They've netted nine times in their last four away games and they will relish the chance to test Boro's slightly patched-up backline, albeit with Dael Fry back in the XI.

Millwall vs Bristol City - Close encounter at the Den

Monday, 19:45

Both of these two sides tend to prefer their opponent to take the game to them, which will make for an interesting tactical battle. Millwall are the hosts and have become a little better at taking the initiative under Alex Neil, yet they are crippled by injuries and have been using Alfie Doughty in the centre of midfield. It's far from ideal. They did well to restrict Ipswich on Boxing Day, yet they are winless in four and have won just three of their last 11. Most of those victories coincided with Casper de Norre's return to fitness, but the influential midfielder has sustained an injury and will miss this clash. They've won 58% of the match in which he has started this season, and just 36% without him.

Bristol City went to the Hawthorns and collected maximum points on Boxing Day. Gerhard Struber's men are often better on the road and they prefer the opposition to do the majority of the heavy lifting when it comes to possession. They won't get that luxury here, but this does look a good opportunity to stretch their unbeaten run. They've managed to avoid defeat in eight of their 11 games on the road so far and they look overpriced.

Norwich vs Watford - Hornets to stay unbeaten on the road

Monday, 19:45

Norwich edged past Charlton on Boxing Day with Philippe Clement praising his side's defensive effort. In truth, the Canaries were rarely tested by the Addicks, who set up conservatively and didn't offer much in the final third. The hosts have been fairly consistent at home under the Belgian and the performances and goals of Javon Makama have been positive, in the absence of Josh Sargent. Clement has options and he may opt to keep things fresh, but Makama will surely be one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Boxing Day's success was their first clean sheet since the managerial change, but keeping the in-form Hornets at arm's length will be a far stiffer challenge.

Watford are unbeaten in five and picked up a rare, and deserved away victory on Boxing Day. They have some brilliant young, talented players and Javi Gracia is getting the best out of them. They don't keep many clean sheets, particularly on the road, shipping 2+ in three of their last four away games, and they may struggle to cope with the energy, strength and accuracy of the aforementioned Makama. Still, their tails are up and they could easily take a point back to Hertfordshire.

Oxford vs Swansea - Managerless Yellows to earn at least a draw

Monday, 19:45

Oxford were victorious under caretaker boss Craig Short as their slightly more adventurous approach paid dividends against Southampton on Boxing Day. To be completely fair to the recently dismissed Gary Rowett, the U's often raised their game when hosting the better sides, so it wasn't a complete surprise to see them turn over the Saints.

Short must find a way of building on that victory here. He admitted that sides do not progress at this level without getting a little bit of luck and they needed some last-gasp defensive contributions to preserve their precious three points.

Swansea have undoubtedly improved under Vitor Matos, but their away form remains suspect. Since the change of management, they are showing tremendous fight, yet they perhaps lack a little quality in crucial areas. They battled admirably against the leaders and their spirit and determination may be enough to earn them a point here, but that is likely to be the most they'll take from the Kassam.

Portsmouth vs Charlton - Mousinho's men to show plenty of grit

Monday, 19:45

Ever since the rumblings and discontent began surfacing at Fratton Park, John Mousinho has managed to give himself some much-needed breathing space with a three match unbeaten run. Pompey beat Blackburn, picking up a rare away point and then were decent value for their point against QPR on Boxing Day.

Their home form has generally been solid since returning to the Championship, with a 15-10-10 record in the second tier across the last two seasons. Although they've been defeated here to the current bottom two, they were defeated just twice when hosting bottom half opposition last season and this is a game that they will be expected to win. The loss of Josh Murphy is far from ideal, yet they showed plenty of industry from wide areas with Terry Devlin and Zak Swanson looking dangerous.

Charlton offered very little going forward at Carrow Road and probably would have been happy to settle for a point. Keenan Gough was thrown into the XI and competed admirably, with Nathan Jones unafraid to use younger players if required. With just five goals in eight games, the Addicks need to improve their output in the final third. They have various combinations of strikers available, yet they've been unable to find the perfect blend.

Sheffield Wednesday vs Blackburn - Hectic schedule to impact the resilient Owls

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

Henrik Pederson was understandably 'happy and proud' of his side's rallying performance against Hull on Boxing Day. Wednesday twice went ahead, despite starting with six senior players and a bench comprising entirely of youth teamers. They may not have won since mid-September, yet they have picked up the occasional point here and there, and have avoided defeat in two of their last five at Hillsborough. Nevertheless, this squad will be tested by the schedule which consists of four matches in the space of ten days. Rotation is not an option for Pederson with numerous injuries having been sustained and a couple of players away at AFCON.

Blackburn battled their way to a point at the Riverside on Boxing Day with Val Ismael's side now unbeaten in five of their last six. Rovers' defence has been difficult to breach recently, with just five goals conceded in their last seven outings and back-to-back clean sheets. Todd Cantwell is back and is orchestrating things in midfield, although the injury to Ryoya Morishita is a concern, joining Andri Gudjohsen and Ryan Alebiosu on the unavailable list.

Notwithstanding the absences, Rovers should have enough to collect maximum points.

Stoke vs Sheffield United - Blades to dominate out-of-form Potters

Monday, 19:45

Despite some Stoke fans venting their frustrations at the full time whistle, Mark Robins suggested that he was fairly happy with the performance against Preston. The Potters were the better side in a low-margin affair, yet they created an xG of just 1.06, landing just three of their 14 shots on target. Their loss of momentum has caused them to drop down the table, winning just two of their last nine. Throughout this period, their home form has been relatively solid, with Hull and Coventry being the only two sides to beat them here since September.  In the four games prior to Boxing Day, they had created an xG of just 2.7, which is less than sufficient.

Unfortunately for the home fans, their recent record against Sheffield United has been poor, losing the last three by an aggregate scoreline of 8-0.

The Blades were involved in a topsy-turvy 5-3 defeat at the Racecourse on Boxing Day. Chris Wilder was satisfied with the way his side attacked, but he wasn't happy with his team defended. They have looked vulnerable lately, conceded nine times in their last three away games, but Stoke's lack of potency, should make this a little easier for the visitors.

West Brom vs QPR - Expect defensive errors at the Hawthorns

Monday, 19:45

The spotlight has been placed on Ryan Mason once again with the Baggies losing at home to Bristol City. Its now four defeats in five, although their home form is generally much stronger. Mason bemoaned the decisions of the officials in their 2-1 defeat to Bristol City, and the stats probably suggest that his side deserved a share of the spoils. They produced an xG of 1.59, although their failure to take their chances was inevitably their downfall.

They've netted in each of their last five at home, and in seven of their last eight. They should be able to find a way past a QPR defence which has been far from secure lately. Julian Stephan's side have been a little inconsistent this season, yet they always provide plenty of entertainment. They weren't at their best at Fratton Park on Boxing Day, yet they still managed three efforts on target. Their defending has left plenty to be desired lately and they are unlikely to keep the hosts off the scoresheet.

Wrexham vs Preston - Another festive goalfest in North Wales

Monday, 19:45

Wrexham showed 'bravery and character' according to their manager Phil Parkinson as he watched his side twice come from behind to secure a 5-3 victory over Sheffield United on Boxing Day. Former Blade Kieffer Moore was instrumental in that success, yet the whole XI will emerge with plenty of credit for the way they battled back from an early Patrick Bamford goal.

Many of their home games have been highly watchable affairs, including a 2-2 draw with Watford and their 3-2 success over Coventry on Halloween. They have plenty of firepower in their squad and are likely to find a way past Preston.

PNE battled their way to a goalless draw at Stoke, extending their unbeaten sequence on the road to six matches. They will provide a stern test for the hosts, but whether the likes of Daniel Jebbison, just back from injury and Michael Smith, getting a bit long in the tooth, are able to play two matches in the space of three days, is questionable.

Preston's blank at Stoke was a rarity, with the Lilywhites netting in eight of their last nine of the road.

Birmingham vs Southampton - A frantic battle between two stuttering sides

Monday, 20:15, Live on Sky Sports Football

Chris Davies is under a little bit of pressure with Birmingham failing to win at home, despite facing ten men for the entire second half against Derby. Brum are now winless in five, and are six points shy of the top six. Davies needs his side to pick up a result here. He will be hoping to get a few positive results and performances ahead of the January transfer window, which is expected to be a busy one in this part of the Midlands.

His side continue to concede sloppy and preventable goals and it feels unlikely that they will be able to keep the Saints at arm's length for the majority of this contest. They tend to have more possession than their opponents at St. Andrews, although the visitors may challenge that norm.

Southampton have been possession-heavy in their last couple of matches, yet they've struggled to turn that into results. Tonda Eckery is navigating his first bump in the road with some fans bemoaning their side's lack of clinical edge. Finn Azaz and Leo Scienza are having less of an impact lately are they are still yet to keep a clean sheet on their travels this season.

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