Championship Tips: Back Friday night goals in clash of relegated Premier League teams

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Friday's Championship tips

Burnley vs Wolves - Back another topsy-turvy contest at Turf Moor

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Friday, 20:00

Burnley were denied a second successive Championship victory by a late Charlton equaliser. It was a surprisingly open game of football, in which side attacked with gusto, although perhaps most worryingly for the Clarets is the amount of opportunities they afforded (4 big chances and an xG of 2.13) to a side that had struggled to find the back of the net on the road during the first few months of the season.

Nicky Hayen's only victory so far this season has come against a hapless Watford outfit, and they just cannot be trusted as the home side on Friday night.

Wolves also showcased some sloppy defending in midweek as they fell to a 3-1 home defeat against Bolton at Molineux. Cesar Peixoto's side did create plenty of chances and clocked up an xG of 2.62 and had 31 touches in the opposition's box. Nevertheless, they fell apart at the back and Burnley could potentially hurt them. Raul Jimenez may be out until January, yet there is still enough talent within the squad to break through the Burnley back-line.

Neither side can be trusted to win this game, with both trading in dodgy defences recently. This could be an open and error-strewn 90 minutes.

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Saturday's Championship tips

Middlesbrough vs Cardiff - Another home success for the Teessiders

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Saturday, 12:30

Middlesbrough showed fantastic determination to sneak past Stoke on Tuesday night, despite twice being pegged back. Boro committed defensive errors to allow the Potters back into the contest, but the last laugh went to Kim Hellberg's side, who boast an impressive array of firepower.

Will Lankshear completed yet another close-range first-touch finish to continue his excellent record, but it was a fantastic team effort. They've played seven of the top ten in the Championship and have dropped just two points at the Riverside Stadium so far.

Cardiff demolished Watford in midweek to continue their decent record in front of their own fans. Unfortunately, their away form is far less impressive. They aren't scoring enough on the road, and have suffered four defeats in their opening five. Defensively, they've been solid enough away from home, but this is their toughest trip so far and they are likely to come out on the wrong side.

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Watford vs Charlton - Defensive chaos in Hertfordshire on Saturday lunchtime

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Saturday, 12:30

It's all doom and gloom at Vicarage Road. The fans are getting on the back of the team and the owners, and although Alessio Dionisi has seemingly been handed the dreaded stay of execution, things are unlikely to get better.

The Hornets were hammered in midweek, although the travelling fans did get to witness a late consolation. This will not be an easy game against a spirited Charlton outfit.

The hosts have an xGA of 1.75 and have conceded an average of 1.8 goals per game here. They tend to look vulnerable at the back, but they do also create chances. For the first half of Tuesday's game, Watford carved out opportunities and asked questions of the Cardiff defence. They should be able to find a way past a team that are yet to keep a clean sheet on their travels.

Charlton came back to draw 2-2 in midweek and there have now been 12 goals across their last three away games. I'd expect this one to follow suit.

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Millwall vs Lincoln - Jaded Imps to fall short in East London

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Saturday, 12:30

After starting the season with back-to-back victories, Millwall's form has dropped off. They have won just two of their last eight, one of which came against struggling Preston. They've netted just once across the last 180 minutes of football, and although it was a fairly even game on Tuesday night, they just didn't show enough going forward. Lyndon Dykes has already bagged a few goals since joining the club, but he doesn't perform consistently enough, and back-to-back starts may be asking too much of the Scot.

Lincoln endured a nightmare first half against West Ham as they were reduced to nine men. Tom Hamer and Connor McGrandles were both given their marching orders, giving the Imps a huge uphill task. As you'd expect, they battled admirably, before being exposed in the second period.

They have had a day less to prepare, will be missing two key players, and may be exhausted from their midweek endeavours. This will be tough, but they should be able to keep it fairly close.

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Birmingham vs QPR - A tight one expected at St. Andrews

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Saturday, 15:00

A change of approach for Chris Davies at Birmingham has worked wonders. The Blues have been excellent so far this season, and have suffered just a single defeat so far. They've won three of their last four and picked up their first home victory of the season on Tuesday night. Alex Cochrane, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Liam Millar and Jhon Solis were all excellent, and there is a fantastic balance to the squad currently.

At home, they are scoring plenty of goals, notching twice against both Middlesbrough and Wolves since the beginning of September.

QPR remain a solid outfit and they aren't easy to beat. They were ruthless in midweek and are also still unbeaten on the road. Although they have a quicker turnaround, they will be expected to battle their way through the 90 minutes and showcase their quality. They won't make it straightforward for the Midlands outfit, and I'd expect this one to be exceptionally close.

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Bristol City vs Sheffield United - Another higgledy-piggledy away trip for the Blades fans

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Saturday, 15:00

Bristol City deserved to take something from their midweek clash with Blackburn Rovers. A Sam Tickle error gifted Blackburn the only goal of the game, and despite knocking at the door throughout the 90 minutes, the Robins could not find a way through.

There is no real reason to panic for Michael Skubala, although with just one win in their last five, they could do with picking up maximum points here. They certainly aren't shy when it comes to creating chances, and they should be able to find a way past the Blades' defence, which has been breached seven times in its last four away trips.

Sheffield United showed tremendous character, battling valiantly in the second half at Fratton Park on Wednesday despite going down to ten men. Their away games have been thoroughly entertaining so far this season and we can expect another cracker here.

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Derby vs Stoke - Problems continue to mount for Eustace's strugglers

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Saturday, 15:00

Derby were beaten in midweek following a first-half collapse in which they conceded three times. The Rams barely touched the ball, and struggled to create anything noteworthy. Their poor performances aren't just reserved for the road, with a 0-2-3 record at Pride Park. The fixtures aren't getting much easier, with near-neighbours and in-form Stoke set to arrive in Derbyshire on Saturday afternoon.

Stoke fought valiantly against Middlesbrough in midweek, capitalising on the Teessiders' defensive errors. Mark Robins' side are unbeaten on their travels throughout September and October, with each of their victories coming against a similar level of opposition.

The Potters will also benefit from an extra day of rest and should be able to capitalise on the hosts' misfortune.

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Norwich vs Portsmouth - Defensive mishaps aplenty at Carrow Road

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Saturday, 15:00

Norwich have presided over four consecutive defeats. Phillipe Clement's side are sliding down the table, but they have some fairly favourable fixtures on the horizon. This is a game that will have been earmarked for three points, and with key players starting to return to the XI, they should be able to bounce back.

Portsmouth were 2-0 up and cruising against Sheffield United before throwing away the lead in the second half with some poor defending. Teenager Ryan Kavuma McQueen has been the standout star for the club this season, and his pace can torment the opposition. Norwich's defence has looked fairly questionable this season, and the winger should be able to test the Canaries' resistance this weekend.

Pompey rarely keep clean sheets and will struggle to keep Norwich at arm's length despite their recent struggles.

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Southampton vs Bolton - Highly engaging clash on the south coast

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Saturday, 15:00

Southampton didn't have to work too hard to overcome Norwich in midweek. It was a rare away win for the Saints, who have been far from convincing on their travels this season. At home, they have been far more impressive, scoring an average of 3.2 goals per game at St. Mary's. They weren't at their best against Pompey, yet they were hindered by the sending off of Cameron Bragg.

Bolton pulled off a considerable in midweek, in beating Wolves 3-1 at Molineux. They will take plenty of confidence into this contest, but this should be much tougher. I think they will play their part in a potentially entertaining 90 minutes and should be able to get on the scoresheet at least once.

The Trotters have an xGA of 1.66 on the road and have conceded an average of 2.2 goals per game.

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Swansea vs West Ham - Swans to remain at the summit

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Saturday, 15:00

Swansea maintained their momentum in midweek with a late victory at the Den. They will be searching for a fifth consecutive success on Saturday, although this is one of their toughest tests of the season so far. Vitor Matos' side have a fantastic balance, and all of their summer signings have settled in superbly.

They have conceded just seven goals so far this season, only two of which have been shipped here. They won't make it easy for West Ham, who will start this game as the 6/52.20 favourites.

West Ham took 45 minutes to break down Lincoln on Wednesday night, despite the Imps being reduced to nine men in the first half. Nuno's side are yet to keep a clean sheet away from the London Stadium, and have conceded an xGA of 1.76 on their travels. They will give the Swans a few opportunities and if the hosts can get ahead, they are likely to stay ahead.

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West Brom vs Blackburn - WBA's tight defence to hold firm

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Saturday, 15:00

James Morrison tweaked his XI following back-to-back defeats and his changes paid off with a comeback victory at Wrexham in midweek. Aune Heggebo was the difference maker from the bench, but it was Isaac Price who caused chaos throughout the 90 minutes for the visitors.

WBA have lost just a single game at the Hawthorns this season and have conceded just four goals here. They will be tough to breach on Saturday afternoon.

Blackburn are enjoying a purple patch, and continued their unbeaten streak with a narrow victory at Ashton Gate on Tuesday. They benefitted from a Sam Tickle error, and may not benefit from such good fortune this time around.

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Wrexham vs Preston - Yet more despair for PNE

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Saturday, 15:00

The pressure is ramping up on Phil Parkinson following another home defeat in midweek. Wrexham have looked uncharacteristically sloppy at the back, committing individual errors, although their ever-growing list of injuries isn't helping matters.

Ben Sheaf, Matty James and George Thomason are all amongst the absentees, with all three bringing experience, stability and versatility to the table. Although their home form has been largely underwhelming, they do have far more talent than PNE and that should tip the balance in their favour.

Keiffer Moore was taken off shortly after scoring, so his legs should be a little fresher than some of his teammates, whereas both Danny Imray and Lewis O'Brien were only deployed from the bench.

Graham Alexander hasn't enjoyed any sort of managerial bounce. His side were thumped 4-0 in midweek and will be without the services of Stan Mills. Too many defensive clangers, coupled with a lack of quality in the final third has been their undoing, and despite Wrexham's inconsistent form, you simply cannot see PNE picking up points here.

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Take a look at this week's best football betting tips

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