EFL Opta Stats: Saturday's best bets from the Championship including 17/10 goals bet at St Mary's

Southampton vs QPR

Another potential classic in SO14

The Opta Stat:

"Southampton's last two league games at St. Mary's have been 4-4 draws against Liverpool in the Premier League and Norwich this season - the last side to see as many as eight goals scored in three successive home Football League games were Doncaster Rovers in October 1982 (F14, A15)"

The Saints have had eight more shots than any other Championship side and although QPR's defence has been much-improved lately, it's hard to imagine them keeping Russell Martin's side off the scoresheet for long.

In contrast, the presence of Lyndon Dykes may be enough to unsettle the Saints back-line which has looked vulnerable from set-piece deliveries so far this season.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Over 3.5 Goals at 17/102.70

West Brom vs Middlesbrough

BTTS (again) at the Hawthorns

The Opta Stat:

"Four of West Brom's five league goals so far this season have been from set pieces (inc. penalties), the joint-most in the Championship, while two of the last three goals Middlesbrough have conceded in the competition have come from corners"

Neither of these sides has convinced defensively so far. Corberan's outfit have conceded five times from just 10 efforts on target whereas Boro have been gradually improving going forward and are unlikely to draw a third blank of the campaign.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back BTTS in WBA vs Middlesbrough at 8/111.73

Huddersfield vs Norwich

Wagner's Canaries to plunder a couple of goals in W. Yorkshire

The Opta Stat:

"Norwich's games have seen more goals than any other side in the Championship so far this season (15 - F9, A6), with their six different scorers so far (ex. own goals) also more than any other side in the competition this term"

Lee Nicholls has made more saves than any other Championship goalkeeper so far and the Huddersfield stopper could be in for another busy 90 minutes on Saturday afternoon

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Over 1.5 Norwich Goals at 6/52.20

Cardiff vs Sheffield Wednesday

Bluebirds to squeeze lacklustre Owls

The Opta Stat:

"Sheffield Wednesday are the only side without a point in the Championship this season (P3 L3); the Owls have only lost their first four games of a season twice before in 1971-72 and 2007-08, both in the second tier"

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Cardiff to Win and Under 3.5 Goals at 8/52.60

Coventry vs Sunderland

Entertaining contest at the CBS

The Opta Stat:

"Sunderland are the side against which Coventry's "Mark Robbins has faced more often as a manager in the league without losing than any other, alternating between a draw (3) and a victory (3) in his six league games against the Black Cats"

Coventry beat Middlesbrough in their opening home game of the season, yet the Sky Blues gave away plenty of opportunities throughout the 90 minutes.

Sunderland will be buoyed by last week's success at home to Rotherham and although they have plenty of firepower and dynamism in midfield, they are still missing a focal point to their attack.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Coventry or Draw Double Chance, Over 2.5 Goals, BTTS and a Goal in Both Halves (Bet Builder) at 2/13.00

Birmingham vs Plymouth

Pilgrims to stutter in the West Midlands

The Opta Stat:

"Birmingham are unbeaten so far this season (W2 D1), winning each of their last two league games; the Blues last won three in a row under Lee Bowyer in November 2021"

Birmingham's performances under John Eustace have been very controlled and measured. They've conceded just a single goal so far and have only faced six shots on target.

Plymouth, who are weaker on the road, could struggle to find a way through The Betfair Bet:

• Back Birmingham to Win and Under 3.5 Goals at 11/102.11

Rotherham vs Leicester

Another entertaining affair at the New York Stadium

The Opta Stat:

"No side has scored more goals in the final 15 minutes of Championship games this season than Leicester (3), while Rotherham have conceded in the 76th minute or later in two of their three league games so far this term"

Leicester should have too much firepower for the hosts. Nevertheless, the Millers can offer plenty going forward, particularly in front of their own fans. This should be a decent watch.

The Betfair Bet:

• Leicester or Draw and Over 2.5 Goals at 11/102.11

Ipswich vs Leeds

Closely contested tie at Portman Road

The Opta Stat:

"Ipswich's Conor Chaplin has been directly involved in 12 goals in his last 12 league games (11 goals, 1 assist), scoring his first Championship goal of the season last time out against QPR"

Ipswich have plenty of in-form attacking players in their squad and are always likely to find a way through. Nevertheless, Leeds have arguably been a bit unlucky so far and have enough individual quality to beat the in-form Vaclav Hladky

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Both Teams to Score at 20/231.87

Millwall vs Stoke

Points shared at the Den

The Opta Stat:

"Gary Rowett has only lost three of his previous 11 home league games as Millwall manager against sides he's previously managed in the top four tiers (W5 D3)"

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Draw in Millwall vs Stoke at 13/82.63

Preston vs Swansea

Close 90 minutes at Deepdale

The Opta Stat:

"After finishing last season by winning seven of their final nine league games (D2), Swansea are yet to win any of their first three Championship matches this term (D2 L1)"

Preston have been tough to beat so far and they're unbeaten in their last two encounters. Swansea are still looking to strrengthen and although they picked up a point last time out, they did look vulnerable defensively in their last away trip.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Preston to Win Either Half at 4/51.80