Opta Stats: Tips for Saturday's Championship Fixtures

Norwich vs Sunderland

Another absorbing 90 minutes in East Anglia

Opta Stat:

"Norwich City have won seven of their last nine home league games, including the last four in a row. The Canaries last won five in a row at Carrow Road in April 2019"

David Wagner may still divide the Norwich fans, yet he has managed to guide the Canaries to the fringes of the play-offs and they have provided some very entertaining moments at Carrow Road this season. The hosts' ability to outscore their opponents has enabled them to collect 23 points from a possible 27 here. Norwich have conceded the first goal in four of their last seven at home and they always look vulnerable. Norwich have a joint-best BTTS rate of 68% in the Championship this season and its difficult to imagine them keeping Sunderland off the scoresheet.

The loss of Jack Clarke is a seismic blow to Sunderland's chances of making the top six. The Black Cats have struggled for consistency and they are aiming to avoid a fourth successive defeat on Saturday afternoon. They've only failed to score once in their last six and they should create enough opportunities to test the home defence.

Betfair Bet:

• Back Over 2.5 Goals and BTTS at 19/201.95

Stoke vs Middlesbrough

BTTS in the Potteries

Opta Stat:

"Middlesbrough have kept just two clean sheets in their last 41 away league games - in the four away games prior to this run, they didn't concede a single goal"

It feels like rinse and repeat for Stoke this season. A succession of managers coming and going and the lingering threat of relegation. The Potters' plan to appoint highly-rated Steven Schumacher hasn't gone according to plan and although they created plenty of chances, they still couldn't find a way to beat Cardiff last weekend. They don't tend to score many at home, but Middlesbrough's squad is lacking bodies and they don't keep many clean sheets.

Michael Carrick's men lost tamely last weekend and the hectic fixture list is catching up with them. They gifted Plymouth far too many chances and could struggle to keep a clean sheet.

Betfair Bet:

• Back Both Teams to Score and Middlesbrough Double Chance at 6/52.20

Swansea vs Blackburn

Ronald to add to his tally

Opta Stats:

"Blackburn Rovers won four consecutive away league games in October and November last year but have since picked up two points in eight away games (D2 L6)"

"Swansea have lost their last four home league games - only once before have the Swans lost more consecutively at home in the EFL, losing six between September and November 1957"

Neither of these sides have been consistent enough lately and both are likely to meet again in the Championship next season. Swansea's victory over Sunderland last weekend could be the springboard that they require to give the fans some much-needed positivity and the arrival of Ronald has given the supporters something to cheer. He scored both goals last weekend and his energy could prove too much for a Blackburn side who will tired following their midweek exertions in the FA Cup against Premier League opposition.

Both of these sides tend to find the back of the net and the exciting Brazilian could get his name on the scoresheet yet again.

Betfair Bet:

• Back Ronald to Score Anytime at 13/53.60

Millwall vs Watford

Harris to heap further pressure on his opposite number

Opta Stat:

"Millwall are unbeaten in their last three league games against Watford (W2 D1) since a 1-0 defeat in April 2021"

Neil Harris masterminded a much-needed victory for Millwall on his return last weekend. The Lions were heroic at the back and had Matija Sarkic to thank for preserving their lead. The hosts will aim to put in a similarly passionate performance here and they should thrive in front of the home crowd at the Den.

Val Ismael is under pressure once again after his side slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Huddersfield. Without the magic of Yasser Asprilla, the Hornets would be in dire straits and they will be relying upon him for inspiration once again. In their previous away match, they were outshot by the bottom club and could struggle to find a way through here.

Betfair Bet:

• Back Millwall Draw No Bet at 8/111.73

Rotherham vs Sheffield Wednesday

BTTS in a cracking Yorkshire derby

Opta Stat:

"Sheffield Wednesday have won three of their previous four league games (L1) with the Owls last winning three consecutive Championship matches in September 2018 under Jos Luhukay"

Rotherham appear destined for League One with Leam Richardson's side having now clocked up six consecutive defeats. Nevertheless, the Millers have played reasonably well in those encounters and have taken 39 shots across their last three games.

Sheffield Wednesday have been far better going forward in February with their January business having given them added impetus going forward. Their away performances have been decent and they were also dominant against Bristol City last weekend. With six goals across their last four matches, they should register in this one.

Betfair Bet:

• Back BTTS at 20/231.87

Preston vs Hull

PNE and Hull to share the spoils

Opta Stat:

"Preston North End have won three of their last four home league matches (D1), more than across their previous nine at Deepdale (W2 D2 L5)"

Preston have put together an impressive sequence of results and come into this match unbeaten in six. Ryan Lowe's side came out on the right side of the result against Middlesbrough and Cardiff, yet they deserved more than a point against Blackburn and were decent value for their 3-0 victory over Cardiff. Lowe's front three have been purring and they should cause problems for Hull.

The Tigers have been in decent form and have lost just one of their last seven. Liam Rosenior's side are unlikely to go down without a fight and they should be able to leave with at least a point. They don't concede many goals and although they've won four consecutive away games, each of these victories have been claimed by a single goal margin.

Betfair Bet:

• Back Draw in Preston vs Hull at 11/53.20

Plymouth vs Ipswich

Another end-to-end affair at Home Park

Opta Stat:

"Plymouth have conceded two or more goals in 11 different home league games this season - in only two previous campaigns have they done so in 12+: 13 in 2008-09 and 12 in 2020-21"

Ian Foster's side were victorious against Middlesbrough last weekend producing a memorable and well-crafted display in Teesside. At home, they haven't been as effective recently, however, they've had some tricky fixtures and this is another potentially tough tie. The hosts have lost all three of their matches here against top six opposition by an aggregrate score of 7-1. Nevertheless, the hosts do possess a goal threat and could easily find a way past Ipswich's questionnable back-line. 88% of their games this season and contained at least two goals.

Ipswich continue to impress going forward with their abundance of attack-minded players firing on all cylinders. The Tractor Boys cannot afford to take their foot off the gas and they will be keen to keep the momentum going. Omari Hutchinson's role as super-sub has enabled them to score plenty of late goals and it wouldn't be a surprise to see them leave it late again here.

Betfair Bet:

• Back Ipswich to Win and Over 1.5 Goals at 5/61.84

Leicester vs QPR

QPR to try and keep the score down

Opta Stat:

"QPR have lost four of their last five league matches against Leicester City, winning the other 3-2 in November 2014"

Leicester have lost back-to-back games for just the second time this season and although they are still in the driving seat, they will be aiming to bounce back and get back on track. Enzo Maresca's men were the better side for 80 minutes against Leeds and if they can put away a few of their chances, they should ease past their relegation-threatened visitors.

QPR have improved under Marti Cifuentes and they have won four of their last seven. Most of their games have been tight and decided by single goal margins. The R's should be able to stay competitive in this fixture, although the hosts' quality should eventually swing this game in the direction of the leaders.

Betfair Bet:

• Leicester to Win and Under 3.5 Goals at 1/12.00

Birmingham vs Southampton

Saints' defence to buckle once again

Opta Stat:

"Birmingham have won their last two home league games, last winning three in a row back in March and April 2021 under Lee Bowyer"

Birmingham were easily beaten by Ipswich last weekend, yet they've been much stronger at home recently and should be able to get on the scoresheet here. Mark Venus is in temporary charge of the club at the moment, however, he is unlikely to deviate from the principals of Tony Mowbray and they should be willing to get on the front foot and attack the visitors on Saturday afternoon. They've notched in five of their last six home matches.

Southampton's automatic promotion credentials have taken a hit in recent weeks with Russell Martin's side having been defeated in three of their last four. They've also failed to keep a clean sheet in four of their last five and have struggled with out the presence of Flynn Downes.

Betfair Bet:

• Back Over 2.5 Goals and BTTS at 4/51.80