EFL Championship Opta Stats: Saturday's best bets from the second tier including 15/8 and 11/4 shots

QPR vs Ipswich

R's opening home fixture to end in disappointment

The Opta Stat:

"QPR have lost each of their last three league games against newly promoted sides, their longest run in the Championship since a run of four losses between December 2010 and May 2011"

Ipswich have carried their momentum over from last season and they will be licking their lips at the prospect of facing a side who have conceded 35 shots across their opening two fixtures. QPR also played in midweek and their small-ish squad could struggle against the sensationally well-organised visitors.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Over 1.5 Ipswich Goals at 11/102.11

Middlesbrough vs Huddersfield

Boro to finally end their barren run in front of goal

The Opta Stat:

"Middlesbrough are the only side yet to score in the Championship this season, last going three league games without a goal in April 2022 (run of four)"

Middlesbrough have struggled in front of goal this season with their lack of accuracy proving troublesome. Just four of their 30 efforts have been on target to far, however, they are likely to get plenty of chances against Huddersfield this weekend. They could finally end their wait for a goal on Saturday afternoon.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back BTTS at 8/111.73

Sheffield Wednesday vs Preston

PNE to leave Wednesday winless in three

The Opta Stat:

"Preston have lost just one of their last nine league games against newly promoted sides (W5 D3), though that defeat was the most recent one on the final day of last season against Sunderland (3-0)"

Only QPR have fired in fewer shots than the Owls so far this season and they need to show more adventure in the final third if they are to pick up their first points of the campaign.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Preston Draw No Bet at [Evens]

Leicester vs Cardiff

Straightforward assignment for the Foxes

The Opta Stat:

"Cardiff are without a win in four league games (D1 L3), while they're without a clean sheet in 13 league outings (24 conceded)"

Leicester are far from the complete package, however, they should have far too much firepower for Cardiff's porous back-line which has already conceded four times this season.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Leicester Win and Over 1.5 Goals at 4/51.80

Plymouth vs Southampton (Kick-Off: 12:30)

Hugely entertaining spectacle at Home Park

The Opta Stat:

"Plymouth have won each of their last four league games at Home Park, another win here would be their fourth different streak of five wins or more since the start of 2021-22, which would be more than any other Football League side"

Plenty of goals are expected in this one. Plymouth could have plenty of joy against a Southampton side who have struggled to defend crosses

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Over 1.5 Plymouth Goals at 15/82.88

Bristol City vs Birmingham

Blues to leave Ashton Gate with a hard-earned point

The Opta Stat:

"Bristol City have won only one of their last five league matches at Ashton Gate (D3 L1), with both sides scoring at least one goal in each of those games"

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Birmingham Draw No Bet at 7/52.40

Sunderland vs Rotherham

Black Cats to finally get off the mark

The Opta Stat:

"Since beating Sunderland 2-1 in November 1959, Rotherham have failed to win any of their last 10 league trips there (D4 L6)"

Sunderland have attempted 33 shots across their first two matches and although only seven of those efforts tested the goalkeeper, they should create plenty of opportunities against the Millers. Rotherham weren't particularly impressive on the road last season and still have a relatively small squad.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Sunderland to Win and Over 1.5 Goals at 10/111.91

Swansea vs Coventry

Absorbing 90 minutes in South Wales

The Opta Stat:

"Swansea striker Joël Piroe has scored two goals in four previous league appearances against Coventry"

Coventry have made a decent start to the campaign and they will be tough to beat under Mark Robins. Although they kept a clean sheet last weekend, they did give away a few decent opportunities to Middlesbrough. Against the likes of Joel Piroe and Jerry Yates, they are unlikely to get away with any hesitancy at the back.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Both Teams to Score at 8/111.73

Stoke vs Watford

Hornets to take at least a point back to Hertfordshire

The Opta Stat:

"Watford have won each of their last four league meetings with Stoke, as many wins as in their previous 15 such encounters (D3 L8)"

Stoke reverted back to type last weekend with an insipid display at Ipswich. This is Watford's first away game of the season, but if Vakoun Bayo can find his shooting boots, they could easily leave the Potteries with a point.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Watford Draw No Bet at 5/42.25

Blackburn vs Hull

Super Sammie to notch again

The Opta Stat:

"Blackburn's Sammie Szmodics has been involved in four goals in his last three league appearances (2 goals, 2 assists), while his three goal involvements this season is the joint-most in the Championship so far (2 goals, 1 assist)"

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Sammie Szmodics to Score Anytime at 11/43.75