The Championship Betting: Tractor Boys Keane to change Roy's fortunes

Championship / Andrew French / 27 August 2009 / Leave a Comment

Ipswich manager Roy Keane hasn't got much to smile about at the moment and his side face a stern test against Preston this weekend

"There was no immediate change in fortunes in midweek as the Tractor Boys went out of the Carling Cup at Peterborough, while one point and two goals from four league games is a long way from what Keane would have anticipated."

It's been an inauspicious start to the season for Roy Keane's Ipswich Town, and our man Andrew French reckons their fortunes are not about to change against high-flying Preston this weekend.

Unbeaten all season - or winless all season. Whether your glass is half full or half empty will decide how you describe Blackpool's four draws from four league outings this season, but I think they can break their duck by beating Bristol City this weekend.

The Tangerines are already taking the shape of an Ian Holloway side - difficult to beat and full of character. I saw them twice come back from a goal behind to take a well-deserved point at Watford last Saturday, and in Charlie Adam they had a winger that will give any defence problems. Visitors Coventry made a flying start but that came to an end with a home defeat at the hands of Swansea, and much as the Sky Blues impressed in the first couple of weeks, I can't get away from the fact they were very mid-table last season. Therefore, back Blackpool at [2.52].

It was a midweek to forget for Swansea, as they went out of the Carling Cup in a crazy match that saw them have three players sent off and finish with seven men. They will be keen to get back out in front of their own fans and quickly put that disaster to bed, so not a great time for Watford to be visiting the Liberty Stadium.

The Hornets are preparing for life without key striker Tommy Smith, and although they won 4-2 at Nottingham Forest on their last away trip, their lack of a clean sheet in the league season shows they are still far from secure at the back. Get behind the Swans at [2.08].

It hasn't taken long for the Ipswich squad to feel the wrath of Roy Keane, with players slapped on the transfer list amid talk of certain individuals never playing for the club again. There was no immediate change in fortunes in midweek as the Tractor Boys went out of the Carling Cup at Peterborough, while one point and two goals from four league games is a long way from what Keane would have anticipated.

I can't see things getting much better this weekend, as visitors Preston are unbeaten and looking well able to build upon last season's sixth place. Therefore, I would suggest laying Ipswich at [2.5].

Having lost to Barnsley at home in the Carling Cup to a last-minute goal, Reading would probably rather be going anywhere this weekend than to Oakwell to face them again. It's been pretty grim for new Royals manager Brendan Rodgers so far, with just two points and one goal from four league games. It was always going to be a transitional period with Steve Coppell and many key players leaving the club, and I feel they may need a little longer yet.

Barnsley are one of the few clubs that have made a worse start and they look booked for a slot in the relegation battle - but they can't afford to keep losing at home and Tuesday's cup win will have boosted confidence, so I'm prepared to take a chance with them at [2.96] to win this one.

*All four of the teams Andrew selected to win last weekend were victorious, and he did advise backing them in a multiple. Can you afford to ignore the advice of one of Britain's hottest football tipsters?