Our football writer previews the thrilling English Football League Championship round 35 action, kicking off on Friday 2 March 2018.
In an incredible turn of events, just three games ago, Cardiff stood fourth on the table, trailing the league leaders by a hefty 13 points. Fast forward three matches, and they’ve brilliantly cut that gap down to just six points behind Wolves, signalling their fierce intent to put the pressure on those at the top. Let’s dive into what this weekend’s fixtures have in store!
Friday 2 March
Middlesbrough 15/20
Draw 49/20
Leeds 15/4
Middlesbrough fought valiantly in a 3-3 draw away to Sunderland. Riding high on back-to-back home wins, Boro are brimming with confidence.
Leeds have hit a rough patch, without a win in five games, struggling with losses and draws.
Backing Middlesbrough at home looks the winning bet.
Saturday 3 March
Aston Villa 15/20
Draw 5/2
QPR 7/2
Aston Villa is on cloud nine after a stunning 4-2 away win over Sheffield United. Unbeaten at home in nine with six wins, they’re formidable.
QPR’s recent form is poor, with successive losses and dreadful away results.
Put your money on an Aston Villa home win.
Nottingham 9/10
Draw 9/4
Birmingham 3/1
Nottingham’s explosive 5-2 victory at QPR ended a winless run but they’ve lost five of their last six home games.
Birmingham has struggled badly, suffering four straight defeats while failing to score.
Expect a cautious match with Under 2.5 Goals tipped at 6/10.
Brentford 5/4
Draw 23/10
Cardiff 2/1
Brentford disappointed last weekend, losing 1-0 to Leeds but had previous wins including a 5-0 thrashing of Birmingham.
Cardiff is flying with four straight wins, unbeaten and solid at the back.
Seven of the last eight meetings saw games with Over 2.5 Goals.
Stick with the goal-fest trend at 17/20.
Ipswich 29/20
Draw 2/1
Hull 19/10
Ipswich just clinched a hard-fought 1-0 win at Preston and will aim to build on this.
Hull has lost six of their last seven away games.
Six of their last seven clashes showed Over 2.5 Goals.
Follow the high-scoring pattern at 12/10.
Barnsley 43/20
Draw 21/10
Norwich 5/4
Barnsley shows spirit fighting relegation but without a home win in nine games.
Norwich is impressive on the road, unbeaten in six.
The away win is the smart play here.
Sheffield United 9/20
Draw 3/1
Burton Albion 6/1
Sheffield United bounced back with two home wins after a loss to Hull.
Burton Albion is struggling, sitting second last.
Sheffield won the earlier meeting 3-1.
Expect the home side to seal the deal.
Bristol City 7/10
Draw 26/10
Sheffield Wednesday 37/10
Bristol City has not won in their last five home games.
Sheffield Wednesday’s away form is similarly poor.
The reverse ended 0-0, but anticipate a more attacking encounter.
With play-off places at stake, back Bristol City to claim home advantage.
Millwall 7/10
Draw 49/20
Sunderland 38/10
Millwall is in great nick, unbeaten in eight games and strong at home with nine matches undefeated.
Sunderland has suffered six matches without a win and four defeats on their travels.
Millwall to come out on top is the pick.
Bolton 28/10
Draw 21/10
Preston 21/20
Bolton are unbeaten in six with four wins.
Preston is undefeated in nine away matches.
Five of the last six meetings had Under 2.5 Goals; the last two were goalless draws.
Under 2.5 Goals at 5/10 looks promising; a 0-0 Correct Score at 6/1 is a nifty option for the brave.
Derby 29/20
Draw 9/4
Fulham 7/4
Derby is unbeaten in their last eight home games.
Fulham boasts an unbeaten run of 12 with nine wins.
Backing the in-form Fulham to keep momentum is the call.
Wolves 4/10
Draw 33/10
Reading 6/1
Wolves hit a rough patch with three matches winless, including a 2-0 defeat at Fulham.
Reading is also struggling without a win in four and only one from last seven away.
Wolves claimed a 2-0 win over Reading earlier.
Take Wolves on the (-1) Handicap at 21/20 to turn things around.
TREBLE TIPPED @ 7/1
Bristol City Win 7/10
Millwall Win 7/10
Fulham Win 7/4
