Championship / Andrew French / 08 December 2011 /

Barnsley and Burnley are in fine form at the moment, which makes it all the more surprising that they can be backed at odds against at home to struggling clubs says Andrew French.

Barnsley v Ipswich, KO: Saturday 17:20, Match Odds: Barnsley [2.1], Ipswich [4.0], The Draw [3.6]

I know Christmas is around the corner but, seriously? Are the layers already in the festive spirit offering us [2.1] to back Barnsley? Only Cardiff sit above the Tykes in the current form table, with Keith Hill's side having won five of their last six to climb from 19th to eighth in the table. They have been particularly strong at Oakwell, winning their last five and conceding just two goals in the process.

Ipswich are at the opposite end of the form table to their hosts, having lost all of their last seven games. Defensively they have been a shambles, conceding a whopping 20 goals during that losing run. Even going ahead does little to help the Tractor Boys; they have led in three of their last four games and still managed to lose. Paul Jewell's side have the worst defensive record in the division, and to be able to back a Barnsley team that is clearly on the crest of a wave at the moment at the price available is far too good to be turned down.

Back Barnsley @ [2.1]

Burnley v Portsmouth, KO: Saturday 15:00, Match Odds: Burnley [2.08], Portsmouth [4.0], The Draw [3.5]

It's not with quite the same degree of surprise that I point you towards Burnley's price as I do towards Barnsley's, but I am still reasonably gobsmacked that the Clarets are available to back at bigger than even-money. Quite simply, Portsmouth are always worth opposing away from home. The South Coast side have not won on their travels this season, and have lost six of their nine away fixtures. Add in results from the end of last season, and Pompey have won just one of their last 16 games away from Fratton Park. So, any time Pompey are on the road, it's worth considering a punt on the team hosting them, unless they are in dire form - and Burnley aren't. Quite the opposite of late.

The Clarets were impressive 2-1 winners at West Ham last weekend, making it three successive victories for Eddie Howe's side. Burnley have already shown no mercy to struggling sides at Turf Moor, trouncing both Ipswich (4-0) and Forest (5-1). I can't promise they'll romp home so easily this weekend, but again, they have to be backed at the price on offer.

Back Burnley @ [2.08]

Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace, KO: Saturday 15:00, Match Odds: Nottm Forest [2.0], Crystal Palace [4.3], The Draw [3.5]

When Steve Cotterill took over at The City Ground in mid-October, it was supposed to herald the start of their move up the table and away from a potential relegation scrap. It hasn't quite worked out that way. Forest were 21st in the table when he arrived, they are 22nd now.

Cotterill's first 10 games in charge have brought just four wins but six defeats, and they have lost their last three on the trot. However, there is some mitigation for that last stat when you bear in mind that trio of matches was against the teams sitting third, fifth, and seventh in the table. Prior to that, they had won four of six. They are certainly anything but out of the mire, but faced with a Crystal Palace team in far less good form than the three sides they have just faced means they have a chance to claim a very important victory.

With two games against Cardiff between them and a trip to Wembley, it would be hard for Palace not to be distracted - but it's not as if their league form was in good shape before they beat Man Utd in the Carling Cup quarter-final. The Eagles have not won a league game in seven attempts and have scored a meagre two goals during that run. They have lost each of their last three away games - I think Forest will extend that sequence and ease their own worries.

Back Nottm Forest @ [2.0]

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