EFL Championship Opta Stats: Eleven Championship bets for Saturday priced up to 15/8

Southampton vs Norwich

Cracking 90 minutes expected at St. Marys

The Opta Stat:

"Gabriel Sara created nine chances for Norwich in their 2-1 win over Hull, four more than any other player managed across the opening round of Championship games. His expected assist tally of 1.6 was also twice as high as any other player."

Norwich's midfield is full of creativity and assuming they can get the ball off possession-heavy Southampton, they should be able to break quickly and test the Saints' iffy rearguard.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Over 2.5 Goals at 20/231.87

Millwall vs Bristol City

Lions and Robins to share the points in Bermondsey

The Opta Stat:

"Millwall have won five of their last eight league matches against Bristol City (D2 L1), although drew 0-0 at the Den last season."

Bristol City may have hit five past Oxford in midweek, however, they are likely to come up against fairly stern resistance this weekend. Nigel Pearson has a poor record at the Den but he may be able to take a point back down the M4 this weekend.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Draw at 15/82.88

Birmingham vs Leeds

Buoyant crowd to enjoy entertaining game at St. Andrews

The Opta Stat:

"Leeds have picked up just three points in their last 10 league games (D3 L7), although they have found the net at least once in all 10 winless games. The last English league side to go 11 consecutive games without a win while scoring in each game were Scunthorpe United in September 2011."

The Betfair Bet:

• Back BTTS at 13/201.65

Cardiff vs QPR

Rs' defensive woes to continue

The Opta Stat:

"Since Gareth Ainsworth's first permanent league game in charge of QPR in February, the Hoops have shipped the most goals in the Championship (29), losing 4-0 at Watford in their first league game this season"

Despite Steve Cook's arrival, QPR still look a little short in defence. Cardiff are vulnerable at the back, but they have more potency going forward under Erol Bulut.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Over 1.5 Cardiff Goals at 11/102.11

Rotherham vs Blackburn

Leonard to strike again

The Opta Stat:

"Blackburn have lost just one of their last eight league games (W2 D5), a 1-0 defeat against Burnley in April. They are looking to win their opening two games of a season for only the second time this century, also managing it last season."

Young Harry Leonard made an impression on the opening weekend and was rewarded with a goal. He took three shots at Ewood Park, the joint-highest amongst his teammates and may enjoy coming up against a patched-up Rotherham outfit.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Harry Leonard to Score Anytime at 5/23.50

West Brom vs Swansea

Stubborn Swans to take at least a point

The Opta Stat:

"Swansea City are looking to win three consecutive away league games against West Bromwich Albion for the first time, having won at the Hawthorns in 2021-22 and 2022-23."

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Swansea or Draw Double Chance at 8/111.73

Watford vs Plymouth

Two attack-minded sides meet in Hertfordshire

The Opta Stat:

"Only two of the 60 league meetings between Watford and Plymouth have been goalless, with none occurring with the Hornets on home soil in 30 previous such games"

These two rarely produce a dull 90 minutes and this could be another entertaining clash. The Pilgrims were far more porous on the road last season whereas Watford looked cohesive going forward seven days ago.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Over 2.5 Goals at 20/231.87

Huddersfield vs Leicester

Foxes to bag a couple in West Yorkshire

The Opta Stat:

"Huddersfield have lost 10 of their last 11 league games against Leicester (D1) since their last win over the Foxes back in November 1995 under Brian Horton."

Huddersfield created chances at Home Parkl last weekend but looked vulnerable at the back and the talented Foxes should be able to take advantage.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Over 1.5 Leicester Goals at 8/111.73

Hull vs Sheffield Wednesday

Tigers to grind out a victory in Humberside

The Opta Stat:

"Sheffield Wednesday have won three of their last 16 league games against Hull City (D5 L8) and haven't beaten the Tigers since a 1-0 win in April 2018."

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Hull to beat Sheffield Wednesday at 13/102.30

Preston vs Sunderland

Goals at both ends in Lancashire

The Opta Stat:

"Two of the three non-defenders who carried the ball the furthest distance in the opening round of Championship games were Sunderland wingers Jack Clarke (319m) and Patrick Roberts (330m)."

Sunderland may have lost their opening game against Ipswich but they possess several dangerous attacking players. The Black Cats could be vulnerable at the other end of the field with PNE's new summer recruits starting to settle in nicely.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back BTTS and Over 2.5 Goals at 10/111.91

Ipswich vs Stoke

Highly watchable affair in Suffolk

The Opta Stat:

"Ipswich Town won their final eight home league matches in the 2022-23 campaign in League One, scoring 31 goals and conceding just one in those wins"

Ipswich looked formidable here last season and the home fans will be expecting their side to find the back of the net in this one. Stoke are full of confidence and despite the loss of Jacob Brown, they are likely to create plenty of opportunities throughout the 90 minutes.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back BTTS in Ipswich vs Stoke at 13/201.65