EFL Championship

Saturday Afternoon Championship Opta Stats: Eight bets for this weekend's games

Huddersfield boss Darren Moore
Darren Moore has made Huddersfield tougher to beat

Jack Critchley has used the Opta Stats to pick out eight bets from Saturday's 3pm KOs in the Championship...


Huddersfield vs Bristol City

Points shared in West Yorkshire

The Opta Stat:

"Huddersfield have lost only one of their last seven home league games (W2 D4), coming back to secure a point with a 1-1 draw against Southampton in their previous such game"

Darren Moore hasn't been able to steer Huddersfield clear of danger, however, he has made them tougher to break down. The Terriers are unbeaten in four of their last five and have conceded just four times during that period. The hosts' issues have come in the final third this season and they will be looking to address their lack of firepower during the January transfer window.

Bristol City put in a very disappointing performance against Norwich at the weekend and they will looking bounce back under new manager Liam Manning. Unfortunately, the Robins have struggled for goals on their travels recently and with just three away goals scored since September 2nd, they could struggle to find a way through.

The Betfair Bet:


Rotherham vs Swansea

Millers and Swans to struggle defensively

The Opta Stat:

"Swansea's Jamie Paterson has either scored (2) or assisted (1) in his last three league games, only in December 2017 while at Bristol City has he enjoyed a longer such run in the Championship (5 successive games - 3 goals, 2 assists)"

As of Thursday morning, both of these sides are currently managerless. After sacking Matt Taylor in mid-November, the Millers are still without a permanant boss, however, Leam Richardson has been strongly linked to the vacancy. Nevertheless, Rotherham have impressed at home under caretaker control and they should be able to continue their run of finding the back of the net here. They put on a decent show against Birmingham last weekend and will be confident of finding the net against struggling opposition.

Swansea sacked Michael Duff in midweek following a disappointing 1-1 draw with Huddersfield. The Swans have had a tough run of games on the road, yet they found the net against both Leeds and Ipswich. With the likes of Jamie Paterson finding form, they should be able to strike in South Yorkshire.

The Betfair Bet:


Leicester vs Plymouth

Foxes to secure yet another narrow victory

The Opta Stat:

"Leicester have won eight of their previous 10 league games at the King Power (L2), while keeping a clean sheet in five of their last six, with the exception being a 1-0 defeat to Leeds last month"

Leicester picked up a statement victory against West Brom last weekend courtesy of a late breakaway goal. Yet again, the Foxes performance was far from exemplary, however, their match-winners came to the fore. At the KP, they've been excellent and they have been winning with the minimum of fuss. They have conceded just 12 goals this season and have kept five clean sheets in their last six here.

Plymouth have been keeping things tighter on the road recently and despite losing to Leeds and Coventry, they put in a some fairly respectable performances. Steven Schumacher's side will make it tough for the hosts, but could easily be undone by a single moment of magic.

The Betfair Bet:


Norwich vs Preston

Underwhelming Canaries to edge out struggling Lilywhites

The Opta Stat:

"Norwich have won three of their last four league matches (L1), one more than in their previous 11 (W2 D1 L8)"

Norwich have won three of their last four matches without being particularly impressive. Nevertheless, they have players such as Gabriel Sara, who are capable of winning matches and that may make a big difference on Saturday afternoon.

Preston have been fairly tame going forward recently. They've failed to register more than five shots in any of their last three outings and may slump to another disappointing defeat here.

The Betfair Bet:


Middlesbrough vs Ipswich

Entertaining game at the Riverside

The Opta Stat:

"Middlesbrough have won five of their last six league games at home (L1), keeping a clean sheet in their previous four such wins"

Middlesbrough were on the wrong end of a topsy-turvy 3-2 defeat last weekend at Elland Road and they'll be pleased to get back to the Riverside. The Teessiders have won five of their last six here and have conceded just three times during that run.

Ipswich are incredibly strong at Portman Road but they have shipped too many goals on the road recently. They should be able to find a way past Boro's threadbare defence, yet are likely to be suceptible themselves.

The Betfair Bet:


Stoke vs Sheffield Wednesday

Improving Wednesday to take at least a point

The Opta Stat:

"Stoke have lost their previous three league games, not since September 2019 have the Potters lost four league games in a row"

Alex Neil is under pressure once again following his side's five-match winless streak. The Potters are slipping closer to the relegation zone and with teams such as QPR and Sheffield Wednesday slowly improving, there is a real danger of the Staffordshire outfit getting sucked into the bottom three.

The aforementioned Wednesday look to be progressing under Danny Ruhl and their numbers are trending in the right direction. Their away form remains questionable, but with another week on the training ground, the German coach will feel confident in his side's ability to keep it tight.

The Betfair Bet:


Watford vs Southampton

BTTS at Vicarage Road

The Opta Stat:

"Watford are aiming to win three consecutive league games for the first time since November 2022 under Slaven Bilic"

The confidence is flowing at Vicarage Road with Watford having improved significantly under Val Ismael. The Hornets are fairly potent in front of their own fans and although they've faced fairly weak opposition, they have managed to net ten times across their last three matches here.

Southampton arrive here in good form with Russell Martin having successfully steered his way through some choppy early-season waters. The Saints aren't breached often, however, they have managed just a single clean sheet in their last three away games and may find the home side hard to handle.

The Betfair Bet:


QPR vs Hull

QPR to potentially edge out attack-minded Tigers

The Opta Stat:

"Hull are winless on their previous seven league trips to London since a 3-0 win over AFC Wimbledon in League One in February 2021 (D3 L4 since)"

QPR have undoubtedly improved under Marti Cifuentes and have now won two consecutive matches. They have become much tougher to beat under the new boss and they could make it tough for Hull. With their creative players back in the XI, they are always a threat going forward.

Hull are playing well, yet they are conceding too many goals on the road. They've been breached ten times across their last five away trips and have secured just a single victory on the road since Sweptember 24th.

The Betfair Bet:


Read more Championship previews and tips here.


Football... Only Bettor. Watch the latest episode now.

Recommended bets

Jack Critchley's 2023-24 P/L

Staked: 186.00

Returned: 177.18

P/L: -8.82

New Customers can get £50 in free bets!

Available to new customers only. Place a £10 bet on the Betfair Sportsbook and you will receive £50 in free bets to use on Bet Builders and Accas! Opt-in here and T&cs apply.

Prices quoted in copy are correct at time of publication but liable to change.