The Championship Betting: Surprise package Blackpool can heap more misery on the Royals

Championship / Andrew French / 20 November 2009 / Leave a Comment

A few eyebrows might have been raised when Ian Holloway joined Blackpool, but the colourful manager has transformed the seaside club into the surprise package this season

"Their (Blackpool) away form isn’t too clever but they have managed to grind out back-to-back draws on the road, and I can see them getting at least a point in this one."

In his regular 'profit-making' Championship preview, Andrew French is of the opinion that Blackpool can prevent Reading from recording an elusive home victory, whilst Sheffield United are set to put a few months of hurt behind them.

While much of the attention at the top of the Championship has focussed on the likes of Newcastle and West Brom, over in West London things are quietly falling into place for QPR. Ever since they acquired some wealthy backers, the Hoops have been tipped for a rise to the Premier League but it's only recently they have started to show form to match.

Four wins in their last six games and a whopping 16 goals in that period have lifted Rangers to fourth in the table. They have won their last two away games, and I am taking them to make that three when they travel to Doncaster. Rovers have won just once in their last 11 outings and that was against fellow strugglers Peterborough. At [2.42], back Rangers to win this one.

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It's been a while since Watford could field a team containing three current England Under-21 internationals - and sadly two of the three they can currently boast are only on loan to them. However, Man Utd's Tom Cleverley and Arsenal's Henri Lansbury are proving to be something of a revelation at Vicarage Road, and I think they can help continue to keep Watford in the top half of the table when Scunthorpe visit at the weekend.

The Hornets have taken a couple of heavy beatings recently, but each time have bounced back well and their 2-0 win over Preston before the international break was more convincing than the bare scoreline suggests. Scunny are not good travellers, having lost six of eight on the road and conceded more away goals (20) than anyone else in the division. Back Watford at [1.9].

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One swallow doesn't make a summer, as the saying goes, and I am far from convinced that Reading's recent away win at Coventry will be enough to set them on the road to recovery. The Royals are struggling for consistency since Brendan Rodgers replaced Steve Coppell in the summer, and they also have to overcome their dreadful home form which has seen them fail to win at the Madejski since January.

Visitors Blackpool are unbeaten in five and are very much the surprise package so far this term. Their away form isn't too clever but they have managed to grind out back-to-back draws on the road, and I can see them getting at least a point in this one. Therefore, I suggest laying Reading at [2.34].

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It's been a miserable couple of months for Sheffield United and their fans, but I think the gloom will be lifted this weekend when Peterborough visit Bramall Lane. I'd normally give any team that hasn't won in eight a real swerve, but they are hosting a side that is probably in as much disarray as they are.

The Posh fired themselves into the public eye when they axed manager Darren Ferguson recently, a harsh decision even allowing for the club being bottom of the table given that they were in League Two a couple of years ago. However, incoming boss Mark Cooper will need to turn things round fast, particularly away from home as they have taken a mere three points from eight trips. I can't see that stat improving this weekend though, so I suggest backing the Blades at [1.73].

* Andrew is showing a profit of approximately £163 (£10 level stake/liability) on all his selections so far this season