Championship / Andrew French / 19 January 2012 /

Andrew French takes a look at Saturday's Championship action and, for different reasons, fancies a trio of home clubs to beat their opponents.

Reading v Hull, KO: Saturday 15:00, Match Odds: Reading [2.1], Hull [4.0], The Draw [3.5]

It seems a bit late in the day to be thinking that Nicky Barmby is going to be having a big effect on Hull - he recently got the manager's job full-time but he's been in charge of the team for a dozen games now and their form was actually better when he first became caretaker than it has been lately. So, it was a surprise to see Reading available to back at odds bigger than even money in this one.

The Royals are the form team in the Championship, with five wins in their last six and the single defeat was hardly shameful, given it came at fellow promotion chasers Cardiff. Brian McDermott's side have also won their last four at the Madejski. Hull's 1-0 home win over Peterborough last weekend ended a run of three straight league defeats, but they have lost three of their last four away games, and have lost four out of five times when visiting teams in the top half of the table.

Back Reading @ [2.1]

West Ham v Nottingham Forest, KO: Saturday 15:00, Match Odds: West Ham [1.65], Nottm Forest [6.0], The Draw [4.2]

It doesn't seem quite right to describe Nottingham Forest's current goalscoring record as 'eye catching'. But you can't help notice that they have now failed to score in 10 of their last 11 league and cup matches. It's quite remarkable they have managed it given there is always a deflection or the like to help you out. And Steve Cotterrill's men do not face an inviting prospect in their quest to find the net this weekend, given they travel to second-placed West Ham.

The Hammers have certainly been a bit stop-start this season, seemingly able to throw in a couple of poor results just when it appears as if they are on a run that confirms their position as likely automatic promotion candidates. They have won their last two at home though, grinding out a couple of 1-0 wins which suggests that Sam Allardyce has decided to keep it tight at one end and bank on having the firepower at the other to get across the line.

Given we have the team with officially the meanest defence in the division, hosting a side that has real problems hitting the net, I suggest combining confidence in a home win with understandable belief that Forest won't score.

Back West Ham Win to Nil @ [2.2]

Blackpool v Crystal Palace, KO: Saturday 15:00, Match Odds: Blackpool [1.77], Crystal Palace [5.4], The Draw [3.9]

It's a very tight division, and Crystal Palace are 13 points from the automatic promotion place, and 13 points from the relegation zone. They have a chance of edging into a Play-Off place, but clearly their best chance of glory this season comes in the Carling Cup. They take a 1-0 lead into their semi-final second leg at Cardiff on Tuesday, and although no player or manager will ever admit to looking after themselves, the Eagles squad would only be human if they have half an eye on that game when they travel to Blackpool on Saturday. Indeed, that first-leg win is their only victory in their last four games.

Blackpool are only a win outside the top six, but consistency has been their problem. They have not managed to win more than two consecutive league games all season, something they'll have to rectify if they want to push on and get back up. However, they are unbeaten in five at Bloomfield Road, and have kept a clean sheet in four of their last five on home turf. With Palace just wanting to come through this one unscathed, back a home win.

Back Blackpool @ [1.77]

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