Midweek Championship Tips: Rejuvenated Forest to secure back-to-back wins

Boro to suffer consecutive Championship defeats

Nottingham Forest 2.47/5 v Middlesbrough 3.39/4; The Draw 3.4549/20
Wednesday, 19:00

Chris Hughton was appointed as Sabri Lamouchi's successor in October, and although it looked like an extremely savvy appointment at the time, the former Brighton and Newcastle boss was unable to have an immediate effect at City Ground. But the tide is beginning to turn and Forest's 3-1 success over Millwall at the weekend was yet another step in the right direction.

Across the last six games, the Tricky Trees have the joint best defensive record, conceding just three times, and only a late Lions consolation prevented them from clocking up a third clean sheet in four outings. They've also improved their attacking output in recent weeks, and after scoring just four goals in eight games between the end of October and the beginning of December, they have found the net 10 times in their last eight Championship fixtures.

Although the job is far from complete, Forest have now moved comfortably away from the bottom three, and have a six point cushion on their East Midlands rivals Derby County. With incomings expected throughout January, they are only likely to get stronger during the second half of the campaign.

The introduction of Alex Mighten has understandably excited fans, and after being handed a rare start at the weekend, he looks likely to continue his tenure in the XI on Wednesday night. Sammy Ameobi put in another match-winning performance, whilst Cafu and Ryan Yates also deserve plenty of praise for their much-improved displays.

Historically, the hosts have a superb record against this week's opponents and, although they were defeated at the Riverside Stadium back in October, they will fancy their chances of exacting revenge on Wednesday evening.

The Teessiders slipped to a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Birmingham at the weekend, with former boss Aitor Karanka leaving the north east with all three points. Neil Warnock's men have enjoyed a terrific season so far, and their home record has been much improved. However, inconsistencies have started to creep in and, not for the first time this campaign, they looked devoid of ideas in the final third on Saturday afternoon.

Ashley Fletcher is still a few weeks away from full fitness, and with a January splurge unlikely, there is plenty of expectation surrounding the return of the former West Ham striker. Chuba Akpom has disappointed in recent weeks with only Duncan Watmore and the lively Marcus Tavernier looking likely to make something happen.

Away from home, Middlesbrough have been extremely consistent, and it's now six games since they kept a clean sheet on the road.

With Forest's improved defensive solidity, and Boro's lack of incision going forward, this could easily go the way of the home side. Their tails are up and, after another superb home performance at the weekend, they'll fancy their chances of collecting all three points. They can be backed at 2.47/5 on the Exchange.

Points shared at the New York Stadium

Rotherham 3.1511/5 v Stoke 2.68/5; The Draw 3.259/4
Tuesday, 19:45

It's been a quiet winter for Rotherham, with the Millers having played just two Championship games since mid-December. It's given Paul Warne the opportunity to work with his players on the training ground, and they were duly rewarded with a 1-0 victory at Pride Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Millers are still in danger and only goal difference is currently keeping them out of the bottom three. However, they have won two of their last four matches, and Warne has certainly appeared far more positive in his post-match analysis.

Rotherham have had issues holding onto leads this year and they've conceded 10 times in the final 15 minutes. At home, 75% of their goals conceded have also arrived in the second half. With this in mind, fans will have been understandably delighted to have witnessed their side snatch all three points at the weekend courtesy of an 86th minute strike.

Goalscorer Jamie Lindsay capped off a superb display with a match-winning strike, with Dan Berlaser and Matthew Olosunde also putting in eye-catching performances.

They have a 3-2-5 record at this ground. However, they have a habit of remaining competitive throughout the 90 minutes and Brentford remain the only side to have won by more than a single goal margin here. Norwich's injury time winner was a hammer blow, whilst Huddersfield's last-gasp equaliser was also a huge source of frustration for Warne and his coaching staff.

In sharp contrast, Stoke have been superb at seeing out games and holding onto leads, with Michael O'Neill's men keeping clean sheets in 50% of their matches so far this year. They've kept the opponents off the score-sheet in 75% of their away games but they weren't able to prevent John Buckley from plundering a second half equaliser for Blackburn at the weekend.

Despite their defensive prowess, the Potters have had problems in the final third, and they've scored just 10 times on their travels so far this season. They've kept clean sheets in each of their seven trips to bottom-half sides, although five of these fixtures have ended goalless.

Although they won't be able to call upon the services of the suspended James Chester, Stoke's back-line should be able to hold firm once again. Rotherham won't go down without a fight and this could be a game of very few opportunities. The draw at 3.259/4 looks the best option on Tuesday night.

Hornets to ease past the Tykes

Watford 1.794/5 v Barnsley 5.49/2; The Draw 3.814/5
Tuesday, 19:45

Watford bounced back from a disappointing defeat at the Liberty Stadium by easing past Huddersfield on Saturday. Although the victory was potentially overshadowed by an on-field disagreement between Ismaila Sarr and Joao Pedro, it was another comfortable home display for Xisco Munoz's outfit.

The Hornets have now won three of their last four at this venue, keeping clean sheets in each of those encounters. Cardiff City are the only side to have left this ground with all three points, whilst the two teams directly above them, Brentford and Bournemouth, also picked up a point at Vicarage Road.

Although their away form remains a mystery, Watford can usually be relied upon at home, and only four sides can boast a better defensive record on their own patch.

Tom Cleverley was the star of the show at the weekend, with the dynamic midfielder putting in a superb performance. The return of William Troost-Ekong has also helped tighten things up, with his defensive partner Francisco Sierralta also quickly becoming a fan favourite.

Barnsley have been one of the most entertaining sides to watch this season, and the Tykes have exceeded expectations so far. Valerien Ismail has done a superb job, and his side have been playing with a renewed passion since the Frenchman arrived in South Yorkshire.

As always, many of the Tykes' top performers this season have been linked with moves away from Oakwell, and that may prove to be disruptive during the second half of the campaign.

The Tykes have had problems against the division's better sides, and they have picked up just one point from a possible 18 when visiting top half teams. They are rarely beaten comprehensively, however, and the majority of these games have been decided by extremely fine margins. They consistently create chances but missed opportunities have inevitably proved costly in these fixtures.

It's difficult to envisage Barnsley winning this clash and their underwhelming record against top half sides is likely to count against them once again. The hosts can be backed at 1.794/5 and they will be expected to take all three points on Tuesday evening.

You can follow Jack Critchley on Twitter @jcritch7