Saturday Championship Tips: Latics to end DW drought

Wigan to secure their first home success

Wigan 2.0811/10 v Reading 3.8514/5; The Draw 3.55/2

Wigan continued their fantastic form on the road on Tuesday evening as they edged past Huddersfield at the John Smith's Stadium. The Latics have spirit in abundance and a smattering of quality too.

Leam Richardson's side have suffered just a single defeat so far this season and despite scoring just eight times, they have managed to find the back of the net in each of their last seven outings. Both James McClean and Callum Lang produced superb performances in midweek and with Charlie Wyke and Nathan Broadhead having started amongst the subs in midweek, they still have ample options to mix things up here, if required.

Reading's unbeaten home record was unceremoniously ended by Sunderland in midweek and the Royals face a quick turnaround ahead of this trip to the DW Stadium. Paul Ince's side have lost three of their first four matches on the road and have failed to score in each of those defeats.

Their only away victory came against an out-of-sorts Millwall and if they concede the first goal in this contest, the Berkshire side could struggle to forge a way back into the contest.

Another high-scoring 90 mins at Turf Moor

Burnley 1.674/6 v Bristol City 5.39/2; The Draw 4.131/10

Only Sheffield United have managed more shots on target than Burnley so far this season, yet the Clarets have somehow failed to win four of their last six matches. The Lancashire club's inability to finish off the opposition is becoming an issue and with just a single home victory under their belts so far, fans will be hoping for a far more clinical performance on Saturday afternoon.

Luckily for the locals, this weekend's visitors are Bristol City. The Robins have conceded an average of 2.20 goals per game on the road so far this season (slightly above last year's average of 2.09) and are fresh off the back of a 3-2 defeat to Norwich on Wednesday evening.

Nevertheless, Nigel Pearson's side have improved their output in the final third and are currently the division's highest goalscorers (18). They should play their part in yet another entertaining contest.

Absorbing afternoon in the West Midlands

Birmingham 2.8815/8 v Coventry 2.6533/20; The Draw 3.1511/5

Birmingham have a small squad and made a poor start to the campaign, however, we are finally starting to see the fruits of John Eustace's labour. The former Derby midfielder has brought some much-needed energy to the squad and having almost snatched a point off high-flying Norwich, they've subsequently recorded consecutive away wins at Preston and West Brom.

Having scored just three times across their opening six encounters, Brum have now netted five in their last three, and look far more confident when venturing into the final third.

Coventry are still playing catch up and despite a shaky start to the campaign, they showed plenty of determination to twice come from behind at Kenilworth Road. The Sky Blues have conceded 12 times on the road, yet they've also notched on seven occasions and are likely to ask questions of the home defence.

Blades to sneak past PNE

Preston 3.259/4 v Sheffield United 2.3611/8; The Draw 3.3512/5

Unbelievably, PNE's opening nine Championship matches have averaged just 0.56 goals per game. Ryan Lowe's side have been fantastically tight at the back, although they are yet to secure maximum points at Deepdale. With the exception of a 15 minute period in the first half, the Lilywhites were largely dominated by neighbours Burnley on Tuesday night and they could face a similar barrage from Sheffield United.

Despite Norwich's upturn in form, the Blades are still leading the way and will be full of confidence having secured consecutive away wins. Paul Heckingbottom's side have now recorded back-to-back clean sheets on their travels and may only need a single goal to take all three points back to South Yorkshire.

Canaries to punish lacklustre Baggies

Norwich 2.245/4 v West Brom 3.3512/5; The Draw 3.55/2

Norwich continue to keep tabs on Sheffield United at the summit. Dean Smith's side were slow to get into gear this campaign, yet they've now won six consecutive matches and have netted eight times in their last three outings.

Only Sheffield United have fired in more efforts than the confident Canaries and with both Teemu Pukki and Josh Sargent in dazzling form, they are currently a force to be reckoned with.

Despite their lofty pre-season expectations, West Brom are stuttering their way through the opening couple of months and were left to rue another disappointing 90 minutes at the Hawthorns in midweek.

They may be blessed with firepower and creativity, yet they are failing to fulfil their potential and defensive issues continue to go unresolved. WBA have conceded the first goal in each of their last four matches and they simply cannot afford to give their free-scoring hosts any kind of head start.

Struggling duo to cancel one another out

Millwall 2.0421/20 v Blackpool 3.814/5; The Draw 3.412/5

Neither Millwall nor Blackpool will be satisfied with their start to the season. There is very little to seperate these two teams, with the out-of-form duo having both scored just nine times so far and each having conceded on 13 occasions.

The hosts beat Cardiff City at the Den at the beginning of the month, yet subsequently collapsed against QPR in midweek. Gary Rowett's men have failed to score in four of their last five matches and have faced the fourth highest number of shots on target so far (39).

Blackpool lacked passion and creativity as they slumped to a disappointing 3-0 defeat at the New York Stadium on Wednesday night. Despite getting off to a quick start, they managed just a single effort on goal and have found the net just once in their last three games.

Another BTTS at Kenilworth

Luton 2.3611/8 v Blackburn 3.185/40; The Draw 3.211/5

Luton still haven't managed to hit the heights of last season. Nathan Jones' men have won just two of their opening nine games and have failed to keep the opposition off the scoresheet in seven of their last eight encounters. The Hatters do tend to start quickly and have managed to net the opener in each of their last five, yet unlike last year, they rarely keep clean sheets. Having blown a lead at this venue against both Wigan and Coventry, it's hard to have too much confidence in backing them to take all three points.

Blackburn produced a terrific performance on Tuesday night as they eased past Watford at Ewood Park. Jon Dahl Tomasson's side are still yet to draw this season although they have looked far more accomplished in recent weeks and are always a threat going forward.

Black Cats to trouble the Hornets

Watford 2.0811/10 v Sunderland 3.6553/20; The Draw 3.4549/20

Although their last-gasp victory against Middlesbrough papered over some of the cracks, the Watford camp doesn't appear to be a particularly happy one. The Hornets are rooted in midtable and have managed to secure just three victories so far. They've failed to win five of their last six, and although they tend to be much stronger at Vicarage Road, this is unlikely to be a straightforward task for Rob Edwards' men.

Sunderland produced a dominant performance against Reading in midweek. Jack Clarke and Patrick Roberts caused endless problems with Dan Neil and Correy Evans looking rock solid in midfield. Although the Black Cats' performances have been a little unpredictable, they should be able to build on that strong performance under new manager Tony Mowbray.

Very little between Terriers and Bluebirds

Huddersfield 2.89/5 v Cardiff 2.8415/8; The Draw 3.39/4

The odds suggest that there is unlikely to be much between these two teams and it is fairly difficult to make a case for either of these early-season strugglers. Nevertheless, Huddersfield fans will be hoping that their side can respond to the sacking of Danny Schofield and pick up a much-needed three points. The West Yorkshire have picked up all four of their points at this venue and they tend to be better in front of their own fans.

Cardiff produced a significant shock by beating Middlesbrough 3-2 at the Riverside. They were forced to withstand enormous pressure in the second half and failed to even register an effort on goal after the break. It isn't a performance which is likely to ignite a winning run and they may have to settle for a point here.

Inconsistent duo to exchange blows

QPR 2.47/5 v Stoke 2.942/1; The Draw 3.4549/20

QPR have been a little inconsistent so far this season, however, despite the occasional tame performance, they have managed to win three of their last four matches. With Chris Willock in the squad, they always have a chance of finding the back of the net. The former Arsenal man has scored four times despite having just eight shots this season and the West London outfit will look to get him on the ball as often as possible.

Stoke produced a sensational performance on Tuesday night as Alex Neil's men ran wild at the MKM. This is a tricky task for the Staffordshire club, although they have avoided defeat in three of their last four.