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Championship betting: Hull and Barnsley have plenty to play for

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Richard Walker talks us through the betting in a white-hot derby between Barnsley and Hull where he expects goals and maybe even the odd sending-off

As Andrew French mentioned in his preview of the Sheffield Wednesday v Plymouth Argyle Monday night match, when both sides really need a win for different reasons, the result is so often a draw.

He was right for the Hillsborough clash and I'm going to follow his lead and suggest the draw - at roughly [3.35] - to be the headline wager when the east riding's Hull City travel to face Barnsley, from the south riding, for a white-hot Yorkshire derby at Oakwell tonight.

The Tykes (only seven teams have won more often at home) are at around [3.05] back to collect three points on their own patch while the promotion-chasing Tigers' odds of victory are about [2.62]. I have to admit the layer inside me says to lay the home team at [3.15], giving you what I feel are the two likelier outcomes of the three on your side; the draw and a Hull triumph.

You might argue Simon Davey's FA Cup semi-finalists are already safe but I think they'll feel one win - or even a point to give them a tally of 53 - might put enough daylight between themselves and the sticky, gelatinous mass of teams all trying to wade out of the excrement that covers the holding bay area for downward ejection into League One.

Sorry I ain't painting a bright picture of life in English football's third tier however, given the size of the clubs struggling right now (Sheff Wed, Coventry, Leicester, Southampton), it would be one in the eye for the purists if unloved Barnsley could secure safety before these other former big-timers.

The biggest minus for Davey's side is the absence through injury of inspirational skipper Brian Howard, although Daniel Nardiello is back from a thigh strain and winger Martin Devaney should have shrugged off a thigh strain picked up against Cardiff at Wembley.

For the Tigers, ex-Bolton star Henrik Pedersen missing out through injury would be a blow, however Richard Garcia (shoulder) is less of a loss for manager Phil Brown.

This will be a gritty and gnawing battle, not for the faint-hearted. Hull can go top - if they win and West Brom lose at fierce rivals Wolves - but this is the division no one wants to win remember. Ten seasons ago, Sunderland finished third on 90 - yes 90 (!) - points. This time round, 78 or 79 will most likely be good enough for second.

City haven't been that great on their travels but I fancy their need is greater than Barnsley's. I would be suggesting an away win but for the fact White Rose pride's at stake. So a blood-and-thunder Draw/Draw kicks off my recommendations for other markets, at [5.4] among the Half Time/Full Time options.

That's not to say I don't think there will be goals - on the contrary. With nerves to the fore and the need to chase a win high on the agenda, the Correct Scores of 2-2, at [17.5], and even the [100.0] about 3-3 come into my consideration. At [7.2], 1-1 is a good idea of a cover if it's not the goal feast I'm predicting.

Overs in the Over/Under 2.5 goals market is around [2.22] and would feature in my portfolio for this one, no surprise given what I've said above. The [4.2] about there being Over 3.5 goals is not a bridge too far in my opinion, but I respect your right to oppose both with [1.8] and [1.29] on offer in the respective markets.

As for First Goalscorer, don't let unprolific Kayodi Odejayi's recent double at Watford fool you - he's unlikely to trouble the scorers. Two good options here are born-again Tykes' forward Jon Macken, at about [8.0], and/or Hull's Manchester United loanee Fraizer Campell, priced at [7.0] to back for the first net-rippler of the evening. Both men are in good nick and, in my opinion, represent sufficient value in that market.

And finally...on a night which means so much to both sides, I can see tempers fraying in front of the Sky Sports cameras. Have an interest on the [4.3] about there being a red card shown during the derby. Hold on to your hats, it's gonna be high-octane stuff, I reckon!