Midweek Championship Tips: Canaries to punish ineffective Blues

Blunt Blues thwarted by improving Canaries

Birmingham 4.57/2 v Norwich 21/1; The Draw 3.55/2

Tuesday 19:45

Birmingham were completely dominated by Rotherham at the weekend with John Eustace's side drawing yet another blank. With an xG of 3.3, the Millers were completely dominant and Blues fans have every right to be concerned about their team's recent performances. The hosts can be stubborn and tough to break down, however, their attacking output is poor and having failed to find the net in 66% of their matches so far, they are unlikely to give Grant Hanley and Andrew Omobamidele too many sleepless nights.

It's taken a while for Norwich to find their feet this season, however, the pressure has eased on Dean Smith following three consecutive victories. As an Aston Villa supporter, the Canaries boss will be keen to leave St. Andrews with all three points on Tuesday night. With the fourth highest xG in the second tier, there's every chance that they can make it four wins on the bounce. Josh Sargent has been superb in recent weeks and the American looks likely to add to his impressive tally here.

Clarets to punish underperforming Lions

Burnley 1.758/11 v Millwall 5.85/1; The Draw 3.814/5

Tuesday 19:45

Burnley finally clinched their second victory of the season at the weekend with Vincent Kompany's side thumping Wigan at the DW. Despite the scoreline, the Clarets survived some nervy moments and still look far from assured at the back. Nevertheless, at the other end of the field, they are beginning to click and having scored eight times across the last 180 minutes, they should be able to punish Millwall's uncharacteristically sloppy defence.

There have been a few murmurs of discontent amongst the Millwall fans this week. Gary Rowett's pragmatic approach hasn't paid of, with the Bermondsey outfit having lost three of their last five outings. They've also failed to find the net in each of those defeats and are unlikely to leave Turf Moor with anything to show for their efforts.

Entertainment in short supply in Cardiff

Cardiff 2.829/5 v Luton 2.8815/8; The Draw 3.211/5

Tuesday 19:45

Steve Morison has routinely bemoaned the profligacy of his strikeforce this season. The former striker has seen his team produce the joint-third lowest number of shots on target with the Bluebirds failing to find the net in each of their last three outings. Despite dominating against Birmingham earlier in the month, the Welsh side were still only able to net once and it's an area which needs to be addressed before the transfer window closes.

Luton have been slow starters this season, however, as expected Nathan Jones has found a way to turn things around. The Hatters picked up a decent point on Friday night and Carlton Morris is starting to look like a decent summer acquisition. The visitors will be tough to beat here and will be expected to leave with at least a point.

Another high-scoring 90 mins in West London

QPR 1.910/11 v Hull 4.57/2; The Draw 3.711/4

Tuesday 19:45

QPR picked up a fantastic victory at the weekend and there are signs that Mick Beale is finally getting his ideas across. The West Londoners possess the immensely talented Chris Willock, whose partnership with Ilias Chair is flourishing. Willock has netted three times despite clocking up just 243 minutes so far, whereas the Moroccon has struck twice and has the joint-highest number of assists in the division.

Although the hosts have plenty of firepower within the squad, the visitors can boast the Championship's top scorer in theirs. Oscar Estupinan has hit the ground running and has netted seven times so far. The Tigers have scored 2+ goals in four of their opening six matches and it's hard to imagine that they'll draw a blank in this one.

Stubborn defences clash at Bramall Lane

Sheffield United 1.684/6 v Reading 6.611/2; The Draw 4.216/5

Tuesday 19:45

Sheffield United boast an imperious home record and have already netted seven times at Bramall Lane so far. They've also managed to keep two clean sheets at this venue. This is merely a continuation of last year's home dominance under Paul Heckingbottom, with the Blades having shut out the opposition in five of their final six matches at this venue.

Reading are one of the early season's surprise packages with the Royals having collected 12 points so far. Paul Ince's side are top of the embryonic table and picked up a fantastic victory at The Den on Saturday afternoon. They've kept three clean sheets on the spin and Ince continues to talk about his side 'digging in'. The Berkshire outfit won't go down without a fight on Tuesday evening.

Entertaining affair at the DW

Wigan 3.7511/4 v West Brom 2.26/5; The Draw 3.4549/20

Tuesday 19:45

Despite suffering a 5-1 defeat here to Burnley at the weekend, Wigan actually played reasonably well. They created chances and looked dangerous going forward. With an xG of 2.5, they do have the ability to carve out chances and they should be able to test West Brom's creaking defence. Leam Richardson's side have been fairly solid at the back, however, they struggled to contain the Clarets on Saturday and may find the Baggies a similiarly tricky opponent.

Steve Bruce was left bemoaning the officials at the end of his side's 2-2 draw with Huddersfield, however, the Geordie will surely be more concerned with his side's defending. The Baggies have had more shots on target than any other side in the division and with summer signings John Swift and Jed Wallace having settled in nicely, they always look likely to find the back of the net.

Another end-to-end away trip for Boro

Watford 2.68/5 v Middlesbrough 3.1511/5; The Draw 3.39/4

Tuesday 20:00

Watford fans are yet to be completely convinced by Rob Edwards, however, the rookie boss has been forced to deal with a number of potential outgoings and he will be unable to settle into his role until the transfer window has closed. Nevertheless, the Hornets are just outside the play-offs and have suffered just a single defeat so far. Saturday's home defeat to QPR was the first time that the Hertfordshire side have looked shaky and there is very little time to address those defensive issues ahead of the visit of Middlesbrough.

Chris Wilder has been critical of his side's performances this season, however, his team have continued to produce impressive numbers going forward. They will be full of confidence after clinching their first victory of the season on Saturday and although they are yet to convince on the road, they do tend to find the back of the net away from the Riverside.

Robins to edge out Terriers

Bristol City 2.021/1 v Huddersfield 43/1; The Draw 3.7511/4

Wednesday 19:45

Bristol City pushed Blackpool all the way at the weekend and could easily have taken all three points back up the M6. Nigel Pearson's side have been very effective going forward in recent weeks and the return of the hugely talented Antoine Semenyo is a significant boost. The Robins have managed to win each of their last two home matches and remarkably, they've managed to keep clean sheets in both.

Huddersfield have struggled this season, although they've made themselves tough to beat at the John Smith's Stadium. It's been a different story on the road, where they've lost back-to-back contests, despite finding the back of the net in both games. The Terriers should give a decent account of themselves, however, they are likely to just fall short.

BTTS at the CBS

Coventry 2.47/5 v Preston 3.259/4; The Draw 3.259/4

Wednesday 19:45

Coventry are yet to play a home match this season, however, the Sky Blues were very effective in front of their own fans last year and there were plenty of entertaining contests at the CBS Arena during the 2021-22 campaign. Mark Robins' side were narrowly defeated by Hull at the weekend, however, they produced an xG of 2.4 and could easily have left Humberside with a point.

Preston are yet to concede a goal so far this season as Ryan Lowe's side continue to churn out goalless draws. Nevertheless, they've actually looked dangerous going forward and although one goal from 75 efforts is an exceptionally poor return, they will surely start finding the back of the net soon.

I'm going against the form and backing PNE to finally be involved in an entertaining contest.

Close battle at the Stadium of Light

Sunderland 2.26/5 v Rotherham 3.7511/4; The Draw 3.55/2

Wednesday 19:45

Sunderland are searching for a new manager following the defection of Alex Neil. In the Scotsman's absence, the Black Cats were edged out by Norwich at the weekend, despite producing a decent number of opportunities. The Wearsiders are yet to pick up a home victory with two of their three matches here having ended all-square. In Ross Stewart and Elis Simms, the hosts possess plenty of firepower and they'll fancy their chances of avoiding another blank on Wednesday night.

As predicted, Rotherham eased to a 2-0 victory over Birmingham at the weekend. Paul Warne was delighted with his side's performance and they probably should have been out of sight by the 60 minute mark. The South Yorkshire side are yet to be defeated so far this campaign and have been breached just twice. They won't make it easy for their managerless opponents.

Potters buoyed by Neil's arrival

Stoke 2.111/10 v Swansea 3.929/10; The Draw 3.5551/20

Wednesday 19:45

Stoke survived a Blackburn onslaught at the weekend and came away from Ewood Park with all three points. The Potters were enigmatic under Michael O'Neill, however, they are expected to become far more resilient and reliable under the incoming Alex Neil. He won't have much time to work with his squad, however, his side will be expected to put on a decent display for the Scot.

Swansea are another side who have been difficult to gauge during the first few weeks of the campaign. Russell Martin's side played well against Middlesbrough at the weekend and they have been involved in some tight contests on the road. It's difficult to make a case for the Swans as you're never sure what you're going to get.

Another goal-fest by the Seaside

Blackpool 2.546/4 v Blackburn 3.1511/5; The Draw 3.3512/5

Wednesday 20:00

Blackpool made a slow start to the season, however, they've found their feet in recent weeks. Michael Appleton's side are still a little chaotic at the back but they're producing good numbers going forward. The former Oxford boss started with three strikers at the weekend and he may opt for a similar approach here. He may also hand a debut to winger Ian Poveda against his former club.

Blackburn haven't been able to build upon their strong start and they drew yet another blank against Stoke at the weekend. Despite this, Rovers hammered at the door throughout the second half and probably should have found a way through. Ben Brereton-Diaz's future may have been decided by the time this game kicks off, and that could have a significant impact on this clash.