EFL Championship Opta Stats: All the best bets from Saturday's 3pm kick-offs

Plymouth v Preston

PNE to pick up at least a point in Devon

Opta Stats:

"Plymouth Argyle have lost each of their last three home league games without scoring, last losing more in a row at Home Park in October 2017 in League One (5 in a row)"

"Preston North End have won their last two away games in the Championship and could win three in a row for the first time since November 2020 (four in a row)"

Plymouth picked up a point against Blackburn last weekend as they took a small step towards safety. Overall, the Pilgrims haven't dropped off too much under Ian Foster (still picking up 1.09PPG). However, the major difference appears to be a significant downturn in their home form. They've failed to win any of their last four here and have drawn a blank in their last three. They've had some tough fixtures at this ground, yet they do appear to have lost their mojo in the final third. With just three goals in their last six and an over-reliance on Morgan Whittaker, they are not worthy favourites for this match.

Preston suffered their first defeat since January 21st last weekend, but prior to that Ryan Lowe's side looked pretty handy on the road. They've netted seven times in their last four away trips and should be able to depart Home Park with something to show for their efforts.

Betfair Bet:

• Back Preston Draw No Bet at 1/12.00

Birmingham v Watford

Cleverley to get off to a satisfying start

Opta Stat:

"Watford have won nine of their last 11 league meetings with Birmingham City (D1 L1), keeping a clean sheet in each victory"

Birmingham were beaten in midweek by Middlesbrough and gave a fairly limp performance. As a result, this is a quick turnaround and with defensive injuries beginning to mount, this could be a bridge too far for the Blues. Marc Roberts is unlikely to be fit enough whereas Alex Pritchard is rarely able to play twice in a week. The hosts failed to test the Boro goalkeeper in midweek and they will have to show more adventure in the final third here.

Watford have appointed Tom Cleverley as interim boss following Val Ismael's dismissal. The Hornets haven't been heavily defeated and the majority of their losses were by a single goal margin. They produced plenty of efforts against Coventry and could potentially be revitalised under the new boss.

Betfair Bet:

• Back Watford Draw No Bet at 19/201.95

West Brom v Bristol City

Baggies to double up at the Hawthorns

Opta Stat:

"West Bromwich Albion have won six of their last seven home league games (L1), keeping four clean sheets across that period"

West Brom are in tremendous form and incredibly hard to beat under the wily Carlos Corberan. The Baggies are unbeaten in 30 of their last 35 games and the arrival of Mikey Johnston has given them much-needed firepower. They have struggled on the road this season, yet they've scored 10 times across their last four away games and they surely be able to continue their free-scoring form back at the Hawthorns. They've scored 2+ goals in six of their last eight games and they can repeat the trick on Saturday afternoon.

Bristol City can be incredibly hard to beat, but they've been leaky on the road this season. They've won just two of 13 on their travels and have conceded 2+ in four of their last five away trips.

Betfair Bet:

• Back Over 1.5 West Brom Goals at 19/201.95

Middlesbrough v Blackburn

Cagey encounter at the Riverside

Opta Stat:

"Blackburn Rovers have won just one of their last 16 games in the Championship (D7 L8), a 3-1 victory at Stoke last month"

Blackburn are in real danger of being relegated. Although there are off-field issues to be resolved, Rovers' performance on the pitch haven't been particularly impressive. Nevertheless, under John Eustace they have become harder to beat and they have lost just two of their last eight. With just five goals conceded in their last five, they have improved defensively, although the suspension of Kyle McFadzean's suspension is a blow.

Middlesbrough controlled the game perfectly in midweek and this is a quick turnaround for Michael Carrick's men. Boro fans will be pleased with their side's improvement, particularly defensively. Having failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 11 games, the Teessiders have now kept back-to-back shutouts and as long as they can keep Sammie Szmodics quiet, they should be able to restrict the visitors' attacking threat.

Betfair Bet:

• Back Under 2.5 Goals in Middlesbrough vs Blackburn at 11/102.11

Ipswich v Sheffield Wednesday

Tractor Boys to continue their momentum

Opta Stat:

"Since the beginning of last season Ipswich Town have scored 107 goals in home league matches, at least 13 more than any other side in England's top four tiers (Manchester City - 94); the Tractor Boys have netted at least twice in 16 of their 18 matches at Portman Road this season"

Ipswich suffered a late collapse against Cardiff on Saturday lunchtime, but their promotion credentials haven't been hit too substantially. The Tractor Boys are back at Portman Road and they have netted 2+ goals here in 16 of their last 18 home matches. They need to improve defensively, but Wednesday's lack of away goals is likely to play into Ipswich's hands. They've taken 56 shots across their last four home games and are likely to create plenty of chances on Saturday.

Wednesday are still battling at the bottom of the table. Although they've undoubtedly improved under Danny Rohl, they've struggled against top six sides. They've lost seven of their nine matches against teams currently occupying the top six spots and have netted just three times.

Betfair Bet:

• Back Ipswich to Win and Over 1.5 Goals at 8/111.73

Sunderland v QPR

R's to bounce back from last weekend's defeat

Opta Stat:

"Queens Park Rangers have won three of their last four away league games (L1), as many victories as across their first 14 away matches this season (D3 L8)"

Sunderland have been edged out in their recent encounters with their form under caretaker boss Mike Dodds having dropped off significantly. The Black Cats have relied on youth this season and they named the youngest-ever XI in the history of the Championship last weekend against Southampton.

QPR suffered a little blip as they slipped up against a much-improved Boro. Nevertheless, the R's have been far more effective on the road recently and have won three of their last four away trips. They've also conceded just three goals in their last five on the road and will look to keep things tight once again.

Betfair Bet:

• Back QPR Draw No Bet at 6/52.20

Stoke v Norwich

Potters to continue recent momentum

Opta Stat:

"Norwich City have conceded in each of their last 16 away games in the League, last going longer without a clean sheet on the road in the between August 2011 and October 2012 in the Premier League (24 in a row)"

Stoke have given their survival hopes a significant boost with two victories in their last three outings. The return of Josh Laurent has given their midfielder a little more purpose and he has slotted in alongside Lewis Baker and Wouter Burger. Ki-Jana Hoever also provides plenty of width and they were good value for their victory last weekend.

Norwich are exceptional at Carrow Road yet they've struggled to recreate those performances on their travels. They were beaten at Boro a fortnight ago and have taken just two points from a possible 12 on the road. They've won just two of their last 12 away games and this could be tricky for the Canaries.

Betfair Bet:

• Back Stoke Draw No Bet at 3/41.75

Rotherham v Huddersfield

Low-scoring Yorkshire derby

Opta Stat:

"Rotherham United have lost each of their last nine league games and could equal their worst ever losing run in the Football League, a 10-game streak between February and April 2017"

Rotherham can already start planning for life in League One next season with the Millers' long losing run showing few signs of coming to an end. At home, they have been tougher to beat under Leam Richardson and they have conceded just eight times here since Boxing Day. During that sequence they've found the net just three times and look toothless going forward.

Huddersfield need the points and they have improved since Darren Moore's departure. Nevertheless, they have won just one of their last five and would take a scrappy 1-0 victory.

Betfair Bet:

• Back Under 2.5 Goals at 3/41.75