Opta Stats for Wednesday: Tips for the midweek Championship fixtures

Bristol City vs Blackburn

Visitors to leave Ashton Gate with at least a point

Opta Stat:

"Blackburn Rovers are looking to complete a league double over Bristol City for the first time since 2019-20 having won the reverse fixture this season 2-1"

Bristol City are ending the season fairly strongly and they are unbeaten in four of their last five. They've also kept clean sheets in each of those games and are proving difficult to beat. Each of their last four matches here at Ashton Gate have ended 1-0 either way and there is unlikely to be much between these two outfits.

Blackburn are slowly edging their way to safety and they are unbeaten in five of their last six. Their only defeat during that period came against Ipswich and they probably should have taken something from that tie. John Eustace finally appears to be getting his ideas across and with slightly more motivation than their hosts, they may just edge this.

Betfair Bet:

• Back Blackburn Draw No Bet at 11/102.11

Hull vs Middlesbrough

Boro to edge the battle of the play-off hopefuls

Opta Stat:

"Middlesbrough are unbeaten in their last three away league games (W2 D1) and could record 10 away league wins in a single season for the first time since 2018-19"

Hull got back to winning ways at the weekend as they comfortably beat Cardiff in South Wales. The Tigers benefitted from a bit of luck, but they had the individual brilliance to see off the Beach-bound Bluebirds. They will find this much tougher against a motivated and in-form Middlesbrough outfit. The Tigers' recent home form is a little troubling and they haven't won here since February 3rd. That was also their last clean sheet and they are struggling to keep the opposition off the scoresheet at the MKM.

Middlesbrough have probably left their play-off tilt just a little too late. Michael Carrick's side have hit form, although the gap to sixth looks too big to bridge. Nevertheless, they have an in-form striker in Emanuel Latte-Lath and if they can make some savvy summer additions, they could be the side to watch next season. They've conceded just once in their last six games and just one in their last three away matches.

Betfair Bet:

• Back Middlesbrough Draw No Bet at 6/52.20

Ipswich vs Watford

Another high-scoring encounter at Portman Road

Opta Stat:

"Ipswich's Leif Davis has been involved in five goals in his last three league games at Portman Road (2 goals, 3 assists), as many as in his previous 11 such games (5 assists)"

Ipswich were beaten at Carrow Road at the weekend and Kieran McKenna must find a way to rouse his side ahead of this midweek contest. The Tractor Boys have been excellent this season and their matches at Portman Road have been highly entertaining. Ipswich simply ran out of ideas at the weekend, however, they rarely misfire two matches on the bounce and they should be able to find a way through here.

Watford have significantly improved under Tom Cleverley and they remain unbeaten under his caretaker tenure. They have recently drawn 2-2 with both Leeds and West Brom and could continue to have their say in both the race for promotion and the play-offs.

Betfair Bet:

• Back Over 2.5 Goals and BTTS at 9/10

Swansea vs Stoke

Improving Potters to edge out goal-shy Swans

Opta Stat:

"Since Luke Williams' first home league game in charge of Swansea in January, no Championship side has lost more games on home soil in the competition than the Swans (P7 W2 L5)"

Swansea's season is pretty much done and dusted. Although fans will be keen for their side to add an additional couple of points to their total, they can be fairly confident that their side will be playing Championship football next season. They've managed to net just five times in their last six matches and although they have beaten Cardiff and Blackburn here in recent weeks, they could come unstuck against an improving Stoke outfit.

The visitors are starting to pull away from the mire. They battled back from 2-0 down at the weekend to take a point against West Brom and they are now unbeaten in five of their last seven. They've recently won at the MKM and Deepdale and shouldn't face too many issues in South Wales.

Betfair Bet:

• Back Stoke Draw No Bet at 11/102.11

Birmingham vs Cardiff

Stansfield to fire Brum to victory

Opta Stat:

"Each of Birmingham's last six league games at St Andrew's have been decided by a one-goal margin (W3 L3), with the Blues beating Preston 1-0 in their most recent such game there"

Under Gary Rowett, Birmingham have become a little tougher to break down and they should be able to pick up enough points to survive. Although they were defeated by Leicester at the weekend, they won their previous match here against Preston and they will look to edge yet another tight game. In a match such as this, it may require a bit of composure in front of goal and striker Jay Stansfield may be able to provide that cutting edge. Although his last goal was pretty fortunate, he has enjoyed a decent season at Championship level and looks to be Birmingham's classiest operator in the final third.

Betfair Bet:

• Back Jay Stansfield to Score Anytime at 7/42.75

West Brom vs Rotherham

Baggies to cruise to a simple triumph

Opta Stat:

"West Brom are unbeaten in each of their last eight league games at the Hawthorns in midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday), winning seven of them (D1), while they've won each of their last five by an aggregate score of 7-0."

West Brom haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their last three matches, yet they've been fairly efficient at the back this season. The Baggies have kept the opponent off the scoresheet in three of their last six here and have conceded just six in their last nine. Carlos Corberan's side are supremely well-organised and have already kept clean sheets against four of the bottom six.

Rotherham were officially relegated on Friday night following a hugely disappointing campaign. Leam Richardson's side haven't been good enough on the road and they have struggled for goals away from home. They've failed to net in each of their last three on the road and have averaged just 0.65 goals per game on their travels.

Betfair Bet:

• Back West Brom to Win to Nil at 4/51.80