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Another entertaining game at Vicarage Road
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Manning masterclass at St. Andrews
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Sky Blues to increase Swans' misery
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Watford vs Stoke
Defensive errors to creep in at Vicarage Road
The Opta Stat:
"Watford have lost their final league game in each of the last two calendar years, shipping four goals in each game (1-4 vs West Ham in 2021, 0-4 vs Swansea in 2022)"
Watford have been far more enterprising under Val Ismael, however, the Hornets have had issues keeping clean sheets lately. The hosts are winless in three at this venue and have conceded seven times during that sequence. Individual errors were to blame for their heavy defeat to Bristol City on Boxing Day and they could find it tough to keep a rejuvenated Stoke at arm's length for a full 90 minutes.
Steven Schumacher will have been delighted with his side's performance at St. Andrews on Tuesday with the players carrying out his instructions perfectly. This is unlikely to be as straightforward, however, they should still have enough quality going forward to hurt the hosts.
The Betfair Bet:
Hull vs Blackburn
Tigers to punish lacklustre visitors
The Opta Stat:
"Blackburn Rovers have only ended their calendar year with a league win in one of the last 10 years (D3 L6), winning 2-1 against Barnsley in 2021"
Hull slipped to a defeat on Boxing Day. The Tigers had more shots than the visitors and produced an xG on target of 2.27. Liam Rosenior's side looked a little lethargic, but perked up once fresh legs had been introduced. Their overall home record of 5-4-3 is positive and they've been breached on just 11 occasions.
Blackburn's recent performances have taken a worrying downturn. They've suffered just six away defeats this season, although 50% of those have been in December. JDT is starting to come under pressure and his resting of players due to fatigue isn't neccessarily a good sign.
The Betfair Bet:
Huddersfield vs Middlesbrough
BTTS at the John Smiths
The Opta Stat:
"Huddersfield Town are unbeaten in four league games against Middlesbrough (W2 D2) since a 2-1 defeat in November 2021"
Darren Moore's tactics worked perfectly against Blackburn on Boxing Day. High pressing and clinical finishing resulted in a 3-0 victory and they can take plenty of confidence into this game against Middlesbrough. The Terriers are unbeaten in four of their last five here and they've found the net in each of the last four.
Middlesbrough did everything apart from score against Rotherham. The Teessiders couldn't find the back of the net despite having 71% possession, an xG of 1.28, hitting the woodwork twice and 12 efforts from inside the box. If they take a similar approach, they should be able to get on the scoresheet here.
The Betfair Bet:
Birmingham vs Bristol City
The Manning revival to continue
The Opta Stat:
"Birmingham City have lost their last league game in each of the last four calendar years, conceding 14 goals across these defeats"
'Wayne Rooney's Birmingham' continue to struggle. It's now just one win in seven and they have conceded 2+ in four of their last six here. The Blues look short of quality and although they didn't perform badly against Stoke, they didn't do enough to win the match.
Meanwhile Bristol City continue to improve under Liam Manning and his promise of 'attacking football' is starting to come to fruition. They are far from the finished article, however, they are steadily improving and should have enough to take something from this encounter.
The Betfair Bet:
Cardiff vs Leicester
Leaders to concede in Wales
The Opta Stat:
"Leicester have won their last three away league games in Wales (two wins vs Swansea, one vs Cardiff), more than in their previous 15 trips there (W2 D4 L9)"
Cardiff tend to create chances at home and they were good value for their point against Plymouth on Boxing Day. The Bluebirds have only failed to score twice at home this season and they have also notched in visits to Leeds and Ipswich.
Leicester were far from exemplary against Ipswich and were second best throughout the majority of the contest. They have kept a clean sheet in just two of their last five outings and although they take all three points here, they are unlikely to do it with a clean sheet.
The Betfair Bet:
Coventry vs Swansea
Sky Blues to continue their upward trajectory
The Opta Stat:
"Swansea City won 4-0 against Watford in their final league game of last year - they haven't won their final game in two years in a row since doing so in 2003 (vs Yeovil) and 2004 (vs Boston)"
Coventry are unbeaten in eight of their last nine and they have won consecutive matches with a clean sheet. Mark Robins' switch to a back four has enabled them to find their groove in the final third and although their strikers still aren't delivering the good, they have enough potency in the squad to win most matches.
Swansea are still managerless and they look rudderless from top to bottom. The fans are incredibly frustrated and this is an exceptionally tough assignment. They are without a clean sheet since November 4th and haven't collected a single point when visiting any side above 15th in the table.
The Betfair Bet:
Millwall vs Norwich
Battle of two inconsistent outfits at the Den
The Opta Stat:
"Norwich City have only won three of their last 16 away league games in London (D3 L10), although they are unbeaten in their last two (W1 D1)"
Millwall are now unbeaten in three at the Den and although it wasn't a vintage performance against QPR, they managed to take all three points. Millwall matches haven't been blessed with goals with just 4/12 landing BTTS, however, they are facing arguably the most porous away defence in the division.
Norwich went down to ten men against WBA and it was always going to be an uphill battle following Borja Sainz's dismissal. Nevertheless, they have more than enough firepower to register in Bermondsey.
The Betfair Bet:
Rotherham vs Sunderland
Millers to try and keep it tight at the NYS
The Opta Stat:
"Sunderland haven't lost their final league game in any of the last six calendar years (W4 D2) since losing 4-1 to Burnley in 2016 in the Premier League"
Rotherham were extremely lucky to take all three points on Boxing Day. The Millers look battle-hardened under Leam Richardson, yet they still struggle to score goals. The hosts have netted just three times for the new boss and have kept it relatively tight for long periods against both Leicester and West Brom.
Sunderland picked up a crucial victory against Hull on Boxing Day securing their first away victory since the end of September. Their matches on the road have been fairly tight with none of the last six featuring more than two goals. This could be tight.
The Betfair Bet:
Preston vs Sheffield Wednesday
PNE's inconsistency to continue
The Opta Stat:
"Sheffield Wednesday won 2-0 against Port Vale in their final league game of 2022, last ending consecutive calendar years with a win between 2004 and 2006, the first win of which was against Port Vale"
Preston beat 10-man Leeds on Boxing Day ending their run of defeats. PNE have been very inconsistent this season and questions still remain over Ryan Lowe's position. They've lost three of their last four at home and are yet to keep a home clean sheet.
Wednesday lost at in-form Coventry on Tuesday, yet they received plenty of praise from opposition fans. They created opportunities, although their decision making in the final third wasn't up to scratch. They are much poorer on their travels, but against one of the worst home sides in the division, they could easily take at least a point.
The Betfair Bet:
Ipswich vs QPR
Tractor Boys to return to victory
The Opta Stat:
"Queens Park Rangers have only won their final league game in two of the last 12 calendar years (D5 L5), winning 2-1 at Wolves (2016) and 2-1 at Bristol City (2021)"
Ipswich put in an impressive display against Leicester on Boxing Day and outshot their high-flying opponents. Kieran McKenna was delighted with the display and they should be able to return to winning ways here.
QPR put in a limp performance against Millwall and they need reinforcements in January. They have lost all three games on the road against top eight opposition and have scored just a single goal in those outings.
The Betfair Bet:
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