Championship / Andrew French / 30 January 2012 /

There's a full programme of Championship action in midweek and Andrew French has picked out his best bets including Nottingham Forest's dreadful home form set to continue.

Nottingham Forest v Burnley, KO: Tuesday 19:45, Match Odds: Nottingham Forest [2.56], Burnley [3.1], The Draw [3.4]

Here we have the team with the worst current form at home hosting the team with the best current form away: someone tell me, then, why Nottingham Forest are favourites? Okay, Burnley are doing no better than bobbing around in mid-table but only leaders West Ham have won more games on the road that the Clarets, who have seven away wins. Eddie Howe's side have won four of the last five on their travels, and that includes victories at West Ham (1st), Middlesbrough (5th) and Hull (6th).

Forest, meanwhile, have lost five on the trot at home and not scored in any of them. Throw in the goalless FA Cup tie with Leicester, and Steve Cotterill's side have not scored in front of their own fans in nine hours of football stretching back to mid-November. Such a barren run has to end at some point, but even if they do hit the net then you'd still fancy Burnley in their current form - especially as they have scored two or more goals in three of last five away games.

Back Burnley @ [3.1]

Hull v Doncaster, KO: Tuesday 19:45, Match Odds: Hull [1.59], Doncaster [7.4], The Draw [4.0]
Blackpool v Coventry, KO: Tuesday 20:00, Match Odds: Blackpool [1.66], Coventry [6.4], The Draw [4.1]

There's still little to suggest that the 'Doncaster approach' is working - several high-profile signings/loans later and Rovers are still next to bottom and five points from safety. Their away form is dismal with six successive defeats on the road, and they have lost all bar two of their games on their travels in the league. Tellingly, they have not won away against any team higher than 16th in the table: with Hull sitting sixth, that doesn't bode well. The Tigers may have lost to Crawley in the cup at the weekend, but a Play-Off place is their bread and butter this season and they have won four of their last five at the KC Stadium.

I suggest putting Hull in a double with Blackpool, who also have the Play-Offs on their agenda. Ian Holloway's side don't win as often as he would like, but they rarely lose: just two defeats in their last 13 league games. They are unbeaten in six at home, and should be able to account for a Coventry side that is rapidly looking doomed. They have started to win home games but their away form (six successive defeats, no wins all season, three points from 39) is anchoring them.

Back Hull and Blackpool in a Betfair Multiple @ [2.62]

Ipswich v West Ham, KO: Tuesday 19:45, Match Odds: Ipswich [4.0], West Ham [2.04], The Draw [3.7]

It's been a rough old season for Ipswich. They let goals in with alarming regularity, they have only won twice since mid-October and they have spent the last two months in the bottom third of the table. One of their few highlights was a 1-0 win at Upton Park in September, and that result will surely be in the minds of Sam Allardyce and his team in the return fixture this week. The Tractor Boys have won only one of their last seven at Portman Road, and their defensive record will surely encourage their London visitors: 34 goals conceded in their last 14 league games, with just one clean sheet in that run.

Three consecutive league wins, coupled with a Southampton stutter, has taken the Hammers to the top of the table. They have shown a ruthless streak when visiting struggling sides, winning five and drawing the other of their six trips to teams 16th or lower in the table. They also have the best away defensive record in the division: given that Ipswich are very likely to let in at least one, that suggests West Ham should have too much for their hosts.

Back West Ham @ [2.04]

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: