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

Stoke v Sunderland

Black Cats won't go home empty-handed

The Opta Stat:

"Since Alex Neil took charge of Stoke City in August 2022, only QPR (15) have lost more home Championship games than the Potters (14), who have lost seven of their last nine (W2)"

Alex Neil remains under pressure in the Potteries and yet another loss against one of his former employers is hardly going to help his cause.

Sunderland will be fired up for this and will be keen to move on from their 4-0 loss to Boro. The Black Cat's results on the road are far better than those at the Stadium of Light and they should take at least a point here.

The Betfair Bet

• Back Sunderland Draw No Bet at [Evens]

West Brom v Plymouth

Pilgrims to struggle on the road again

The Opta Stat:

"Plymouth are winless in all five away league games this season (D2 L3), winning 82% of their points (9/11) in home games - second only to Rotherham - and scoring 78% of their goals at home (14/18), the highest ratio of any side"

West Brom are one of the most efficient home sides in the division and they will be expected to collect three points on Saturday afternoon.

Plymouth's form has taken a dip and their defence has struggled to keep the opposition at arm's lengths in recent weeks. With an xGA of 1.8 on the road, they are always likely to give away opportunities.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Over 1.5 Goals WBA Goals at 6/101.60

Middlesbrough v Birmingham

In-form Boro to spoil Rooney's return

The Opta Stat:

"After winning none of their first seven league games this season (D2 L5), Middlesbrough have won their last four in a row. It's their third run of 4+ consecutive league wins under Michael Carrick in his 41 games in charge so far (excl. play-offs)"

We don't know much about how Birmingham will look under Wayne Rooney. However, we have seen Boro return to form in recent weeks following a rocky start to the campaign.

The Teessiders are in superb form and have been creating plenty of chances.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Over 1.5 Middlesbrough Goals at 17/201.85

Bristol City v Coventry

Sky Blues to edge out Robins at Ashton Gate

The Opta Stat:

"Bristol City have lost three of their last six home league matches (W1 D2), after losing none of their first nine games at Ashton Gate in 2023 (W5 D4)"

Coventry have become increasingly tough to beat and although they could only draw with Norwich prior to the international break, they did create the better chances in that contest.

Bristol City's form has been a little erratic in recent weeks and having secured just a single home victory so far this season, their price looks a little on the skinny side.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Coventry Draw No Bet at 11/102.11

Huddersfield v QPR

Slow-burner in West Yorkshire

The Opta Stat:

"Huddersfield manager Darren Moore is unbeaten in his last 20 home league games as a manager across spells with Sheffield Wednesday and the Terriers (W14 D6). He has never lost a home game against a London club in his managerial career (W7 D1)"

Huddersfield are yet to win under Darren Moore, yet the performances have been solid enough.

QPR are far more efficient on the road under Gareth Ainsworth but still lack the quality to secure anything from this fixture

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Huddersfield to Win and Under 3.5 Goals at 11/82.38

Hull v Southampton

Entertaining contest in Humberside

The Opta Stat:

"Hull have dropped the most points from winning positions in the Championship this season (9), drawing 2-2 with Millwall last time out despite going ahead"

Hull are incredibly tough to beat at home and Liam Rosenior is an astute tactician who will undoubtedly look to exploit Southampton's weaknesses.

Despite their good form, the Tigers have managed just two clean sheets so far this campaign and have shipped seven in their last four.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Hull to Win or Draw and BTTS at 6/52.20

Blackburn v Cardiff

Rovers' free-scoring form to continue

The Opta Stat:

"Blackburn's Sammie Szmodics has been involved in 10 goals in his last 12 league appearances (7 goals, 3 assists) and has the most goals and assists combined (7 goals, 2 assists) in the Championship this season"

With Szmodics in electric form, Blackburn have been able to create plenty of chances. Nevertheless, their defence cannot be trusted and, having conceded an average of 2.2 goals per game at home, they cannot be expected to hold onto a lead. This could be another entertaining 90 minutes.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Over 2.5 Goals and BTTS at 10/111.91

Swansea v Leicester

Improving Swans to test impressive Foxes

The Opta Stat:

"Leicester have won all five of their away Championship matches this season, the first second tier to do that since Newcastle United in 1992-93. No second tier side in history has won their first six away games in a season"

Leicester already look set to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking, but this could be a reasonably tricky assignment against an in-form Swansea side. Nevertheless, the Foxes should have enough quality to take all three points

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Leicester Win and Under 4.5 Goals at 11/102.11

Watford v Sheffield Wednesday

BTTS in the battle of the out-of-form duo

The Opta Stat:

"Watford have not won in five league games (D2 L3), last enduring a longer winless run in the Championship between October and December 2013 (10 in a row)"

Sheffield Wednesday appointed Danny Rohl during the international break and the German coach will be aiming to make an instant impression. The Owls are winless so far this season and, although their attacking output has been dire, they haven't been horrendous at the back and a few tweaks may enable them to keep things tight in Hertfordshire.

Watford are struggling to click and have conceded too many soft goals recently. Having kept just a single clean sheet since August 12th, there is no guarantee that they can shut out their impotent opponents.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back BTTS in Watford v Sheffield Wednesday at 9/101.90

Norwich v Leeds

Hosts to clinch at least a point

The Opta Stat:

"Norwich manager David Wagner faced Leeds United three times in the Championship when he was Huddersfield Town manager and won all three games - 4-1 in March 2016, 1-0 in September 2016 and 2-1 in February 2017"

Norwich have been a little inconsistent in recent weeks, but their home form is strong and they should be able to pick up at least a point here. Leicester are the only side to have left this stadium with maximum points so far.

The Betfair Bet:

• Back Norwich Draw No Bet at 6/52.20