Championship Betting: Wolves to be the latest victims of the Royal's majestic record at the Madejski

Championship / Andrew French / 27 January 2009 / Leave a Comment

Andrew French previews the three big games in The Championship this midweek including a home win for Steve Coppell's men and a not-so-unlikely three points for struggling Watford.

Watford v Burnley

At the risk of letting my heart rule my head, I'm very sweet on Watford's chances of overturning the form book when they host Burnley.

The Hornets have taken just one point and scored only two goals in their last five league games. They host a Burnley side that came so close to knocking Spurs out of the Carling Cup and also drew with West Brom in the FA Cup - and their league form isn't bad either!

Yet Brendan Rodgers' decision to put his 'total football' approach on hold in order to grind out some results saw the Hornets beat Crystal Palace 4-3 in the cup on Saturday, and the manager may well have addressed their defensive frailties with the signing of Wycombe centre-half Mike Williamson, who looks set to make his debut tonight.

With just one clean sheet in 13 games, Watford need Williamson to have an instant effect - but if he can even shore things up a bit, the Hornets have the goalscoring capability to edge this one.
Back Watford at [2.68]

Back Over 2.5 goals at [1.91]

Reading v Wolves

The top game of the night is at the Madejski Stadium, where second-placed Reading host leaders Wolves. The Royals have a fantastic home record, with 11 wins in 14 attempts and an impressive average of 2.6 goals scored per game.

Wolves fully deserve their place at the head of affairs - any side that is winning nearly two-thirds of its league games is clearly doing something very right. But Mick McCarthy's boys have just stuttered a little recently, and Saturday's home FA Cup reverse at the hands of Premier League Middlesbrough extended their run to just one win in six.

Back Reading at [2.1]

Back Reading to win 2-1 at [9.6]

Charlton v Crystal Palace

I've experienced South London derbies between Charlton and Crystal Palace, and it's a fierce rivalry - often as much in the boardroom as on the pitch or terraces. Tonight's game takes on added significance as the Addicks are eight points adrift of safety at the foot of the table and enduring a truly miserable run of 18 league games without a win.

There was hope that the recent FA Cup replay victory at Norwich might revive Charlton, but they've followed that with two more defeats and are starting to look as if the life support machine could be switched off if things don't change soon.

Palace are without an away win in four attempts but they still have the play-offs in sight, and Neil Warnock will make sure they take something back on the short journey home.

Lay Charlton at [3.15]