EFL Championship Tips: Nine bets to back this Saturday

• Lions to fall short at the Hawthorns

• Blades to edge out Canaries

• In-form Rovers to take something back to Ewood

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WBA to clinch fourth consecutive home victory

West Brom 1.9210/11 v Millwall 4.77/2; The Draw 3.55/2

West Brom come into this match five points adrift of the play-offs. Carlos Corberan's side dropped points at Cardiff last time out, however, they've had plenty of time to prepare for this fixture.

The Baggies have been sensational on their own patch under the Spaniard, dropping just two points at this venue since the end of October.

Having also kept nine clean sheets in their last ten home matches, they will be fancied to keep things tight on Saturday afternoon.

Across the last four fixtures, only Middlesbrough have a better Net xG than the Baggies and although five players, including striker Daryl Dike, have been away on international duty, Corberan will have had ample time to work with his squad on the training ground.

Although Millwall have won three of their last six matches, the Lions haven't been at their defensive best recently.

They've failed to keep a clean sheet in four of their last five and went into the international break off the back of a disappointing defeat to Huddersfield.

The visitors aren't easy to beat and they will make life tough for WBA. Another narrow home victory appears likely.

Lamouchi to oversee a tactical masterclass

Cardiff 2.568/5 v Swansea 3.211/5; The Draw 3.259/4

Cardiff remain just three points above the drop zone, yet fans were left deeply frustrated by the abandonment of their match against Rotherham a fortnight ago.

Nevertheless, under Sabri Lamouchi, the Bluebirds have given themselves a decent chance of survival and have been defeated in just two of their last six outings.

The hosts are also unbeaten in each of their last three at this stadium and although they have an exceptionally poor record in this fixture, the home support will be feeling quietly confident of getting one over their rivals on Saturday.

Swansea picked up just their third victory of 2023 against Bristol City two weeks ago and that should have alleviated any lingering relegation concerns.

Despite this, the visitors have a terrible away record and have found the net in just one of their last four matches on the road.

Russell Martin may struggle to outsmart his opposite number and although they've won each of the last three derby encounters, they aren't likely to take three points here.

Entertaining spectacle at the CBS

Coventry 2.486/4 v Stoke 3.1511/5; The Draw 3.3512/5

Remarkably, Coventry are just three points shy of the top six and although he continues to go somewhat under the radar, Mark Robins has done a superb job at the CBS Arena.

The Sky Blues are also presiding over a magnificant unbeaten run and having avoided defeat since the beginning of February.

The hosts have found the net in 15 of their last 16 home matches and have produced an xG of 6.8 across their last four matches.

Stoke have found form under Alex Neil, albeit far too late in the campaign. Potters fans can already look forward to next season and although there isn't a lot to play for, the squad is unlikely to ease off over the coming weeks.

They've scored nine times across their last three away matches and had the better chances against Norwich a fortnight ago.

Out-of-form Canaries to slip up

Norwich 2.6413/8 v Sheffield United 2.8815/8; The Draw 3.412/5

Although they are still firmly in play-off contention, Norwich's recent form has been incredibly disappointing.

Life under Wagner started brightly, yet the German coach is struggling to find the right balance and there are some fairly glaring gaps within the squad.

Having found the net just once across the last three matches and an xG of just 3.5 across their last four outings, they could struggle to break down the Blades defence on Saturday afternoon.

Although they haven't quite been firing on all cylinders, Sheffield United are still in the driving seat when it comes to automatic promotion.

Paul Heckingbottom's side have won each of their last two away matches and have conceded just three goals across their last five outings.

Struggling duo to share the spoils

Wigan 2.56/4 v QPR 3.39/4; The Draw 3.259/4

There has been plenty of off-field drama at the DW Stadium throughout the international break, however, Shaun Maloney must focus his players on their survival bid ahead of this crucial contest.

The Latics are eight points adrift and with this weekend's opponents sat just three points above the dotted line, they cannot afford to drop points in this one.

Under Maloney, the hosts have become a lot tougher to beat. They've been defeated in just three of their last ten outings and are unbeaten at home since mid-January.

QPR have picked up just a single victory under Gareth Ainsworth and will have been exceptionally disappointed to have lost tamely to Birmingham.

Nevertheless, with several key player having turned out for the U21s in midweek, their recent injury crisis appears to be easing.

This is a crucial fixture for both sides and neither will be willing to give much away.

Riproaring Rovers to be rewarded

Birmingham 2.767/4 v Blackburn 2.9215/8; The Draw 3.211/5

Blackburn's unexpected play-off ambitions remain firmly on course and they will come into this fixture with plenty of confidence. They have been defeated in just one of their ten outings and are unbeaten in four of their last five away games.

Jon Dahl-Tomasson's side have been accused of being fairly stodgy going forward this season, yet a few tactical tweaks have resulted in some much-improved performances in the final third.

They've conceded just six times across their last nine outings and have now found the net eight times in their last four matches.

Birmingham's victory over QPR gave the Blues some much-needed breathing space and although they cannot afford to relax just yet, the pressure has been relieved somewhat.

Nevertheless, they are yet to pick up maximum points against any of the current top eight sides and that seems unlikely to change here.

Wily Warnock aiming to frustrate Boro

Huddersfield 5.49/2 v Middlesbrough 1.748/11; The Draw 3.7511/4

Neil Warnock has plenty of former clubs in the Championship, however, the current Huddersfield boss comes up against his previous employers on Saturday afternoon.

Despite getting off to a sticky start, Warnock has slowly turned the tide in West Yorkshire and will be looking to keep the momentum going here.

The Terriers have conceded just twice across their last four matches and although they are unlikely to halt the Middlesbrough juggernaut, they may be able to delay it temporarily.

The visitors aren't infallible on the their travels and have conceded the first goal in each of their last three away games. They should be able to take three points from this encounter, yet they are unlikely to ease to victory.

Robins to edge out the Royals

Bristol City 1.824/5 v Reading 5.39/2; The Draw 3.613/5

This is the only match in the Championship this weekend in which neither side has anything to play for.

Bristol City have suffered back-to-back losses on the road and their injury-hit squad will have benefitted from the international break.

Nevertheless, they are strong at Ashton Gate and have won three of their last four here, keeping clean sheets in each of those victories.

Reading have produced an xG of just 1.9 across their last four matches and have lost five consecutive away games.

Tentative tussle in East Yorkshire

Hull 1.991/1 v Rotherham 4.47/2; The Draw 3.6553/20

Liam Rosenior will already be planning for next season with the former defender having guided the Tigers to safety with a couple of months to spare.

Hull have become much tougher to beat under his stewardship and have suffered just three defeats since mid-January.

Scoring goals remains an issue for the Humberside outfit and they've managed to net 2+ goals in a game just once in their last nine games.

Rotherham have been fairly inconsistent over the last few weeks, however, their small squad has been beset by injuries. They are without a victory on the road since the beginning of November and have found the net in just three of their last eight away trips.