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Wednesday's miserable start to continue
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Terriers to leave with at least a point
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Plenty for the neutral at the CBS
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West Brom vs Sheffield Wednesday
Baggies to extend unbeaten run
The Opta Stat:
"West Brom have won three of their last four home league games played in midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) since a 0-2 defeat to Bristol City in October 2022 (D1)"
West Brom are in decent form and will take plenty of confidence from their 4-0 battering of early pace-setters Preston at the weekend. Wednesday have had an extra day to prepare for this clash, yet this is unlikely to prove beneficial.
The Owls have failed to score in four of their last five matches and look bereft of ideas.
The Betfair Bet:
Plymouth vs Millwall
Toothless Lions to struggle at Home Park
The Opta Stat:
"Since the start of last season, Plymouth have won more home games in the EFL than any side (23), failing to win just four of 27 league fixtures at Home Park in this period (D1 L3)"
Plymouth were relatively pleased with their point at Hull at the weekend and they'll be pleased to get back to Home Park.
The Pilgrims have scored more home goals than any other Championship side and will fancy their chances of beating a barren Lions outfit who have failed to find the net in three of their last four.
The Betfair Bet:
Ipswich vs Hull
Another brilliant spectacle at Portman Road
The Opta Stat:
"Ipswich have scored at least two goals in each of their last 14 home league games (W12 D1 L1), netting 49 goals at an average of 3.5 per game in this spell"
Ipswich home matches have averaged 5.25 goals per game so far this season and their approach to matches at Portman Road is unlikely to change. Hull are handy on the road and should play their part in an entertaining fixture.
The Betfair Bet:
Birmingham vs Huddersfield
Tenacious Terriers to take something back to West Yorkshire
The Opta Stat:
"Huddersfield are unbeaten in three away league games (W1 D2), last going four without defeat on the road in March 2022 (9)"
Huddersfield are resilient under Darren Moore and also carry a threat going forward. Birmingham's squad has taken a battering and the injuries are stacking up. This could be a stretch for the patched-up Blues squad.
The Betfair Bet:
Middlesbrough vs Cardiff
BTTS at the Riverside
The Opta Stat:
"Middlesbrough are without a clean sheet in their last eight home league matches; they last went longer without a home shutout in the league in October 2020 (12)"
Middlesbrough have won three games on the spin in all competitions, Cardiff have won four league games on the bounce, so this match pits together two in-form, improving sides, who are both scoring regularly. But as the Opta Stat suggests, Boro are struggling massively in defence.
The Betfair Bet:
Stoke vs Southampton
Plenty of goalmouth action in the Potteries
The Opta Stat:
"Stoke have lost six of their last eight home league games (W2), including both of their last two in a row. The Potters have recorded just one clean sheet in this run (1-0 win v Watford in August)"
Stoke have a W2 L2 record at home with their victories coming against the two worst away sides in the division (Rotherham, Watford), however, Alex Neil's side will be buoyed by their comeback victory at the weekend.
Southampton are highly unpredictable, yet they have enough individual quality to get on the scoresheet at least once The Betfair Bet:
Coventry vs Blackburn
Rovers' defence to buckle
The Opta Stat:
"Blackburn have lost both of their last two away league matches, last losing three on the bounce in October 2022. Rovers have just one clean sheet in their last 15 away league games"
Ellis Simms found his shooting boots at the weekend to fire Coventry to a much-needed victory. The Sky Blues have made a stuttering start to the season, however, they should enjoy coming up against Blackburn's questionable defence.
Rovers have been leaking lately and having shipped another four to Leicester on Sunday, they will surely surely struggle to keep the hosts at arm's length
The Betfair Bet:
Leicester vs Preston
Foxes to continue their upward momentum
The Opta Stat:
"Leicester have won four of their last five home league games (L1), as many as their previous 18 beforehand (W4 D4 L10)"
Leicester may not have hit top gear yet, however, their individual quality is helping them to win games. They are also prolific in the second halves of games and should be able to edge past a Preston side who will smarting from their defeat at the weekend.
The Betfair Bet:
Swansea vs Norwich
Lowe blow for Norwich
The Opta Stat:
"Norwich boss David Wagner has never seen his side score in three previous league games against Swansea (D1 L2), twice with Huddersfield in 2017-18 and with the Canaries in April last season"
David Wagner will be pleased with his side's performance at the weekend, however, this is a tough trip to South Wales.
The Swans have picked up and their performances have been much better. They should create plenty of chances and the in-form Jamal Lowe could be the man to punish the Canaries
The Betfair Bet:
Rotherham vs Bristol City
Millers to show more adventure at the NYS
The Opta Stat:
"Rotherham's last seven home league games have gone in sequence: a draw, followed by a loss, followed by a win, then another draw, followed by a loss, followed by a win, while they drew last time out to Preston (1-1)"
Both of these teams have more than a whiff of unpredictability about them. However, Rotherham usually find the net at home whereas Bristol City should have enough firepower to trouble Matt Taylor's men.
The Betfair Bet:
Sunderland vs Watford
An entertaining evening at the SOL
The Opta Stat:
"Watford remain winless in 12 away league games, their longest such run since May 2018 in the Premier League (also 12). They last had a longer away winless run in the league in April 2010 (16)"
Sunderland were beaten by Cardiff at home ten days ago as they were a victim of a 'smash and grab'. However, they have plenty of firepower and Watford's defence cannot be trusted, particularly on the road.
The Betfair Bet:
Leeds vs QPR
Leeds' quality to edge out misfiring R's
The Opta Stat:
"Leeds' Daniel Farke has lost just one of his six previous Championship games against QPR (W4 D1), a 1-4 defeat away from home with Norwich in April 2018"
Leeds were stunned by Southampton at the weekend, however, their performance was reasonable and they should be able to beat lowly QPR. The visitors have been creating chances, but Gareth Ainsworth's side look suceptible defensively.
The Betfair Bet:
Recommended bets
Back West Brom to Win and Over 1.5 Goals @ [Evens]
Back Coventry to Win or Draw and Over 2.5 Goals (vs Blackburn) @ 13/102.30
Jack Critchley's 2023-24 P/L
Staked: 83.00
Returned: 85.55
P/L: +2.55