Championship / Andrew French / 16 October 2009 / Leave a comment

It's a case of win one, lose one, draw one for most Championship sides at the moment says Andrew French, but in-form and free scoring Cardiff can win again when they host Crystal Palace on Saturday.

"They smacked in 10 goals in two games before the international break, and although Crystal Palace are one of the more in-form outfits in the division, I think Cardiff are still a team to have on your side at the moment."

It says so much about the unpredictable nature of the Championship that not a single club has won more than three of its last six league matches. I really believe that current form is key when it comes to punting in this division but even that is difficult to assess when sides seem to struggle to maintain anything for more than a few weeks.

Having said that, I'm very keen on Bristol City this weekend. They are a tough side for anyone to beat at Ashton Gate, so I really cannot see Peterborough troubling Gary Johnson's side. After a slow start, the Posh showed signs of acclimatising to their new surroundings but that has ground to a halt on the back of three successive defeats. They are yet to win on the road and have managed just three goals in five away trips. City have won four out of five on their own turf, and I suggest backing them at [1.89].

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The spotlight will undoubtedly be on Ian Holloway as his current side, Blackpool, host one of his former employers, Plymouth Argyle. The outspoken Tangerines boss may well be forming a side that can challenge for promotion, but back-to-back defeats have seen them slip out of the top six. Plymouth, meanwhile, have hauled themselves off the bottom thanks to a couple of wins - and I think they may just be able to frustrate their old boss. Therefore, I will lay Blackpool at [1.85].

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I saw Cardiff take Watford apart a fortnight ago, and while the Hornets contributed to their own downfall, there's no denying the Bluebirds are a force to be reckoned with, particularly going forward. In Michael Chopra and Jay Bothroyd they possess a strikeforce that combines pace, strength, height and skill. They smacked in 10 goals in two games before the international break, and although Crystal Palace are one of the more in-form outfits in the division, I think Cardiff are still a team to have on your side at the moment - back them at [1.85].

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Mark Robins appears to be turning things around for Barnsley since his arrival. The Tykes struggled last season and were already showing similar signs this term, but their new boss has overseen three wins in five games. They visit Doncaster, who are very much a 'is your glass half full or half empty' team. They could be described as hard to beat (they have lost only twice), but I see them more as a side that struggles to win as they have only taken three points once all season. Five of their six home games have ended all square, but I feel Barnsley may be in the sort of form to sneak three points - therefore I'll be backing them at [3.55].

* Andrew is showing a profit of approximately £146 (£10 level stake/liability) on all his selections so far this season

Tags: Ashton Gate, Barnsly, Blackpool, Bristol City, Cardiff City, Championship Betting, Ian Holloway, Mark Robins, Michael Chopra, Plymouth Argyle, The Championship