Premier League Tips

Across the last four matches, Stoke have been one of the standout sides in the second tier. Alex Neil has reverted to a 4-2-3-1 and the Potters have become far more efficient at both ends of the pitch.

They have produced an accumulative xG of 8.6 across those last four outings and held high-flying Middlesbrough to a 1-1 on Tuesday night. Neil's men were the better side, particularly during the second half and many Boro fans have heaped praise upon the visitors.

Having netted nine goals across their last three outings and with loanee Ki-Jana Hoever enjoying a purple patch in front of goal, they should be tough to beat on Saturday.

Norwich dropped against Huddersfield on Wednesday night and this is an exceptionally quick turnaround for David Wagner's side. Adam Idah and Ben Gibson were both forced off and defender Marquinhos will be suspended for this contest having been sent off in midweek

The visitors have been inconsistent in recent weeks and they gave the ball away several times against the Terriers. They've won just one of their last four on the road and could struggle at the 365.

Back Stoke to beat Norwich @

2.56

Battling Bluebirds up for the fight

Rotherham 2.982/1 v Cardiff 2.77/4; The Draw 3.259/4

Rotherham have a five point cushion over the bottom three, however, the Millers' last two performances have been incredibly disappointing.

Matt Taylor was extremely unhappy with his side's display in midweek, however, he's been hamstrung by injuries to important players. The absence of Ollie Rathbone has been key and with the midfielder expected to be out until after the international break, they could struggle once again on Saturday afternoon.

Cardiff battled their way to a point against West Brom in midweek and are now unbeaten in four of their last six. Sabri Lamouchi has openly addressed the club's perilous situation and the squad appears to be responding positively.

They may have lost their last two away games, yet this feels like it could be a far easier assignment than recent trips to Norwich and Preston.

Back Cardiff Draw No Bet @

4/5

Impressive Hatters to extend unbeaten run

Sunderland 2.789/5 v Luton 2.727/4; The Draw 3.39/4

Sunderland will feel aggrieved by the nature of their defeat to Sheffield United in midweek. The Blades' winner was clearly offside with the officials failing to spot the infringement.

Tony Mowbray's side have won just one of their last six and the hectic nature of the second tier may be starting to catch up with their young squad.

Mowbray has admitted that his side tend to struggle against physical sides and Luton are an extremely robust outfit, who have an effective mix of styles to call upon.

The Hatters were good value for their 1-0 victory over Bristol City in midweek and have kept clean sheets in four of their last five. They are unbeaten on their travels since December 10th and have conceded 2+ goals in a game just twice so far in 2023.

Back Luton Draw No Bet @

17/20

Struggling Royals to flounder in Berkshire

Reading 2.8815/8 v Hull 2.77/4; The Draw 3.39/4

Despite being dominated by Blackburn, Reading manager Paul Ince insisted that his team were the better side and should have take all three points.

Fans are beginning to question the former midfielder's post-match assessments and with a potential points deduction looming over them, the Berkshire side cannot afford a fifth consecutive loss.

The Royals have a small squad and the suspension of Mama Loum is far from ideal.

Despite being on the wrong end of a 3-1 defeat, Liam Rosenior was pleased with his side's efforts against Burnley on Wednesday night.

He suggested that his side will improve for the experience and having avoided defeat on recent trips to Stoke and Coventry, they should be able to leave the Madejski with at least a point.

Back Hull Draw No Bet @

4/5

R's to bounce back from midweek battering

QPR 2.56/4 v Birmingham 3.259/4; The Draw 3.3512/5

Gareth Ainsworth admitted that he will do everything to put things right following his side's embarrassing 6-1 defeat at Bloomfield Road.

QPR were routinely undone by set-piece goals and it is likely to be something that they will be working on in training. At Wycombe, Ainsworth rarely lost back-to-back matches and a return to Loftus Road is likely to prompt a much-improved display.

Birmingham have lost five of their last seven and this poor run has left Blues fans nervously glancing over their shoulders.

John Eustace's side always tend to struggle during busy periods with Brum having picked up just a single Saturday afternoon victory this season following a full set of midweek fixtures. Their small squad clearly struggles with the quick turnaround and this could be another difficult 90 mins.

Back QPR to beat Birmingham @

2.5

Seasiders to take at least a point

Blackpool 3.3512/5 v Coventry 2.3611/8; The Draw 3.412/5

Blackpool picked up an emphatic and unexpected 6-1 victory on Tuesday evening. The Seasiders scored more goals in this game than they had managed in the previous ten and took full advantage of QPR's set-piece frailties.

Mick McCarthy's men are still unbeaten at home in 2023 and should be able to extend that record on Saturday. In each of their victories under the experienced coach, the hosts have scored within the first seven minutes and they will be looking to make another fast start to this contest.

Coventry are unbeaten in eight and have conceded just once across their last four away games. Mark Robins' side are still in the play-off hunt, although they will have been disappointed to have dropped points against Wigan. The Sky Blues have been profligate in front of goal recently and they may have to settle for another away point in Lancashire.

Back Blackpool Win or Draw Double Chance and Under 3.5 Goals

1.88

BTTS at the Riverside

Middlesbrough 1.594/7 v Preston 6.611/2; The Draw 4.1

Middlesbrough have a superb home record under Michael Carrick, however, they dropped two points on Tuesday night and now find themselves six points shy of Sheffield United.

The Teessiders need a response on Saturday afternoon, yet they've been handed a relatively tough assignment against an in-form Preston side. Nevertheless, the hosts have found the net 14 times across their last five home matches and rarely look likely to draw a blank at the Riverside.

Preston extended their unbeaten run to seven in midweek as they eased past Rotherham. PNE have won three of their last five and with loanee Tom Cannon finally starting to find his feet at this level, they are always a threat going forward.

Ryan Lowe's side have kept a clean sheet in four of their last six outings, yet this is their toughest test since early February and another shutout feels unlikely.

Back Both Teams to Score @

1.91

Low-scoring affair at the Den

Millwall 1.548/15 v Huddersfield 87/1; The Draw 3.953/1

Millwall are an extremely efficient outfit and are firmly in play-off contention. Nevertheless, their last couple of performances have been fairly unconvincing and they have benefitted from a penalty and some questionable goalkeeping in order to collect three points.

Gary Rowett will see this match as a chance to secure another victory, however, battling Huddersfield could make it tough for the hosts.

Neil Warnock's side took a point from their midweek match with Norwich and although they are struggling to find the back of the net, they have tightened up at the back. They've conceded just twice across their last three matches and should be able to restrict the hosts throughout the 90 minutes.

Back Under 2.5 Goals @

1.66

Hornets to sneak past the Latics

Watford 1.768/11 v Wigan 5.69/2; The Draw 3.711/4

Chris Wilder reverted back to his favoured 3-5-2 in midweek and it paid dividends. The Hornets looked far more effective going forward and they should be able to benefit from yet another home tie against lowly opposition.

Although they haven't been at their best, the hosts are unbeaten at this venue since Boxing Day and they should be able to extend that run on Saturday afternoon.

Wigan picked up a hard-earned point against Coventry in midweek, however, the Latics are extremely poor on the road. They've lost each of their last three away games and have netted just four times across their last nine fixtures.

Back Watford to beat Wigan @

1.74