Now the international break can be put to one side for another month at least, the Championship makes a timely return this weekend. So far this season, the division has seen 308 goals burst through the net, however 40% of matches have only contained two goals. We focus on three key Championship contests taking place over the coming days. All odds are best priced from a variety of betting outlets.
Sheffield Wednesday v Hull City (Saturday 12.30pm)
Sky Sports provides us with some Saturday lunchtime Championship action and it is certainly an appetising contest. The Tigers make the trip across the county in travelling to Hillsborough, looking to make it five unbeaten and three away victories in a row. However The Owls have started the season reasonably well, and sit inside the top ten after ten league matches. They are on a three game winning run, including their last two at home. Something has got to give in this game with regards to recent form, or has it? Sheff Wed have scored in every home game, scoring the third most goals on their own patch. Hull have only failed to score once away from home, that coming away to league leaders Brighton. Both teams to score at 1/1 from 888Sport is very generously priced. Also, considering the fine form of the two teams, it is very easy that they could easily cancel each other out. Players would have stumbled back from international duty at differing points, so preparation won’t have been easy. It is a local derby, so 23/10 from Bet365 for the draw looks an appealing prospect.
Burnley v Bolton Wanderers (Saturday 3pm)
This game is very much a local derby! Just less than 40 miles is the difference and the atmosphere at Turf Moor on Saturday should certainly be rocking. Whilst Burnley would have wanted to remain in the Premier League last season, relegation at least means local derbies such as this and against Blackburn Rovers makes a return. Sean Dyche has got the team back to a good point again and don’t seem to be suffering any relegation hangover. They sit just inside the play-off places but there is a big difference compared to their last time in the Championship. Back then, they were much tighter in terms of goals scored in their games, they didn’t concede many, nor did they blow too many teams away. So far this season, there has been over 2.5 goals in six of their league games so far. Bolton had their issues scoring goals earlier this season, but have now scored six goals in their last three. Everything is pointing to a Burnley win, but to beef up the value; Burnley to win and both teams to score at 3/1 with William Hill is very tidy. Bolton have the worst away record in the league and they had more than enough opportunities to see off QPR last time, or at least hold on for a point. They lost 4-3, so backing Burnley to score at least twice at 19/20 with Coral looks like a winning selection.
Derby County v Wolverhampton Wanderers (Sunday 1.15pm)
Sky Sports brings us yet another very appealing Championship contest on Sunday lunchtime. Even before a ball has been kicked, this is just one of those games where you know you won’t be disappointed. It is certainly a contest which should attract the neutral, and hopefully we can find some winning picks for you as well! Obviously it was the international break and normally it isn’t easy to transfer national form to club form, or vice-versa. It was a major disappointment for Scotland to not make the play-offs for the Euros this past week, but they did end their campaign in style. Albeit against weak opposition in Gibraltar, they smashed them 6-0. The man that opened the scoring was none other than Derby number nine Chris Martin. He is slowly but surely getting into the groove this season and has now reached five goals for his club. Expect to see him put a run together where he finds the net on a regular basis. 8/5 just for him to score at any point against Wolves with Bet365, and looks worth a bet. It’s also worth mentioning they also have a £200free bets offer. Derby’s home form is what is costing them being top of the table essentially this season. They beat Brentford last time, but that was their first home win of the season. They simply don’t score many goals but are defensively tight. As for Wolves, they head into this on the back of two 3-0 wins on the bounce. They have only failed to score in one away fixture, therefore both teams to score at 20/23 with Boylesports is another appealing proposition.
