EFL Championship Opta Stats: Eight bets for Saturday afternoon's fixtures

QPR vs Leicester

Foxes to heap further pressure on struggling Ainsworth

The Opta Stats:

"QPR have only won one of their last 20 home league matches (D4 L15), picking up just two points in their last 10 at Loftus Road (D2 L8)"

"Leicester have won their six away league games this season. Only four teams in the history of the top four tiers of English football have opened a season with seven away wins: Spurs in 1960-61 (first eight), Reading in 1985-86 (first seven), Chelsea in 2008-09 (first eight) and Man City in 2017-18 (first 10)"

This game only appears to be going one way with the Foxes having scored 16 times across their last four outings.

The hosts are struggling badly and the boos are likely to ring around Loftus Road at 5pm on Saturday afternoon. With no fit or available central defenders for this clash, it could be an exceptionally long afternoon for the home supporters.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Over 2.5 Leicester Team Goals at 31/202.55

Sunderland vs Norwich

Black Cats to bounce back in Wearside

The Opta Stat:

"Norwich lost just three of their first 13 away league matches under David Wagner (W5 D5) but have since lost three of their last four on the road (D1)"

Sunderland have lost three matches in a row although fans shouldn't begin to panic just yet. The Black Cats were better than Stoke and more than matches Leicester on Tuesday evening.

Norwich were carved open far too easily against Middlesbrough and are giving up far too many chances. The Canaries away games have averaged 4.67 goals per game so this could be an entertaining tie.

The Betfair Bet

• Back Sunderland to Win or Draw and Over 2.5 Goals at 5/42.25

Hull vs Preston

PNE to leave Humberside with at least a point

The Opta Stat:

"Preston have lost just one of their last nine away league matches in Yorkshire (W5 D3), a 4-1 defeat against Sheffield United in April 2023"

Liam Rosenior got one over on his former colleague Wayne Rooney in midweek and he'll be hoping that his side can chalk up consecutive victories for just the second time this season. Unfortunately, their home form is a little suspect and they haven't picked up maximum points here since August 12th (vs Sheffield Wednesday).

PNE have lost their last two away games, however, these have come against Leicester and Ipswich. They went unbeaten in their previous four away trips.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Preston Win or Draw Double Chance at 8/111.73

Cardiff vs Bristol City

Tight game to be decided after the break

The Opta Stat:

"Cardiff City are unbeaten in their last five home league matches (W4 D1), last enjoying a longer unbeaten run on home soil between November 2019 and February 2020 (eight games)"

Cardiff are very tough to beat on their own patch and they've managed to do this by keeping things tight in the first half. The Bluebirds have conceded just twice in the first 45 so far this season, although they've also failed to score to notch before the break in three of their five matches here.

Bristol City have managed to find the net in the first half just once on their travels so far (in stoppage time vs Leeds) and tend to come to life in the second period.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Highest Scoring Half - Second Half at 11/102.11

Middlesbrough vs Stoke

The Boro juggernaut to continue rolling

The Opta Stats:

"Middlesbrough have won 13 of their last 19 home league games (D3 L3), winning each of their last three in a row"

"Stoke are winless in their last seven away league visits to Middlesbrough (D2 L5) since a 1-0 win in August 1997"

Middlesbrough were slowly into stride this season yet they have finally broken into a sprint and come into this game searching for a remarkable seventh consecutive victory.

Boro's numbers have been impressive and although they have injuries (Tommy Smith, Riley McGree) and suspensions (Hayden Hackney) to deal with, they should have enough to edge past Stoke.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Middlesbrough to Win and Under 4.5 Goals at [Evens]

Watford vs Millwall

Tight 90 minutes at The Vic

The Opta Stat:

"Watford have kept nine home league clean sheets in 2023, keeping five in their last eight games at Vicarage Road"

Watford have been keeping things tight and putting in some discliplined performances, particularly at home. Val Ismael's side have conceded just once across their last three fixtures.

Millwall have drawn three of their last four on the road and there have been just six goals across that quartet of fixtures. Only one of their six away games has featured more than two goals so far.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Watford to Win or Draw and Under 2.5 Goals at [Evens]

Ipswich vs Plymouth

Welshman to continue his sensational form

The Opta Stat:

"Ipswich Town have won 13 of their last 14 home league matches - the other game was a 4-3 defeat to Leeds United in August"

Ipswich have been sensational so far this season and their home matches have been suitably chaotic. As a result, the odds are a little cramped when it comes to backing the Tractor Boys here.

It may be worth opting for Nathan Broadhead, who already has four home goals to his name and is averaging four shots per match at Portman Road.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Nathan Broadhead to Score Anytime at 6/42.50

Blackburn vs Swansea

Surprsingly low-key game at Ewood Park

The Opta Stat:

"Blackburn Rovers are looking to register consecutive home league wins for the first time since winning four in a row at Ewood Park in February and March this year"

Blackburn have been a hugely entertaining side to follow this season, however, there are a few signs that things are calming down at Ewood Park. JDT's men kept their first home clean sheet of the season last weekend and they have conceded just twice across their last four outings.

Swansea were unlucky in defeat in midweek and don't tend to give much away. This may be a surprisingly low-scoring game.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Under 2.5 Goals at 13/102.30