Championship / Andrew French / 27 February 2009 /

Andrew French knows the formbook can't be trusted in The Championship but when the leading trio are struggling to win, you have to oppose them. Best Bet: Back Sheffield United to beat Birmingham at [2.46].

The fact that anyone can beat anyone else in The Championship has long been a pitfall for punters, but just lately the teams that seemed certain to be vying for the automatic promotion places have been doing all they can to open the contest up to allcomers.

Leaders Wolves have won just once in 10 games, while nearest pursuers Reading made it only two wins in eight when they lost at home last weekend. So, step forward Birmingham City in midweek - or not. They couldn't see off Crystal Palace, who finished with 10 men, and they too have taken maximum points just twice in their last eight league games.

I don't see things improving for the Blues this weekend, and I take Sheffield United to beat them in the live Sky game on Sunday lunchtime. The Blades are still in the thick of the promotion battle themselves, and they are overdue a home league win after slipping up against Doncaster and neighbours Wednesday in their last two outings at Bramall Lane. Black the Blades at [2.46].

Having pointed out the unpredictable nature of the Championship earlier, I'm going to risk siding very much with the formbook - if Bristol City cannot see off Blackpool at Ashton Gate, I may as well go back to the blindfold and pin approach.

City are in excellent form. A few weeks ago they were languishing in the bottom third of the table, but a run of 25 points from a possible 30 has catapulted them to fourth and the team looking most likely to seize on the struggles of the top three.

The 2-0 win at Reading really showed that Gary Johnson has got the Robins flying - in stark contrast to visitors Blackpool, who have lost three of their last four and shipped 10 goals in the process.

City have won three on the trot at home against struggling sides, and I am confident they will extend that sequence against the Seasiders - so back Bristol to win at [1.7].

My club Watford did me proud last week with victory at Blackpool at a tidy price, and I feel they can continue in an upwardly mobile fashion by beating Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road this weekend.

The Hornets have won three of their last four and kept a trio of clean sheets. Stopping goals had been their main problem, but the arrival of central defender Mike Williamson (who also scored on Saturday) has brought some much-needed solidity to the back line.

Palace have managed only one win in seven in the league, and have already lost at Vicarage Road in the FA Cup this season. Watford still have work to do to be safe from the drop, but I'll be backing them at [2.5] to see off the Eagles.

Things are not looking good for Charlton. Although last week's goalless draw at Barnsley ended a run of eight straight away league defeats, it still leaves the Addicks eight points adrift of safety and with a haul of just 13 points from their last 23 games.

It's hard to imagine life is going to improve much when they travel to face Swansea. There was plenty to admire in the Swans' FA Cup replay defeat at Fulham in midweek, and Roberto Martinez has clearly got a side packed with confidence and ability playing some very neat football.

This game pits the team with the fewest away wins against the side with the fewest home defeats, and once again at the risk of the Championship form book making me look a right mug, I'm recommending backing Swansea at [1.62].

Recommended bets...

Back Sheffield United to beat Birmingham at [2.46]

Back Bristol City to beat Blackpool at [1.7]

Back Watford to beat Crystal Palace at [2.5]

Back Swansea to beat Charlton at [1.62]

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