Championship Tips: Back the Hammers to prevail in the Dockers Derby

Friday's Championship tips

Bristol City vs Watford - BTTS at Ashton Gate

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Friday, 20:00

Bristol City have hit a small bump in the road this week. Michael Skubala has overseen a good start to life in BS3, but back-to-back defeats in three days have dampened some of that positivity. The Robins couldn't force their way past a dogged, determined Lincoln outfit midweek, and a defensive error proved to be their undoing. Skubala's men should have enough firepower to find a way past a Watford outfit, who have been struggling under Alessio Dionisi.

The Hornets have lost three of their last four matches, scoring just once on their travels so far. They do have individual talent within their squad, including Amin Nabizada, who was left on the bench last time out.

This fixture tends to be fairly entertaining and there have been plenty of goals in the previous meetings. I don't think this game is likely to escalate, but there's every chance it finishes 1-1 or 2-1 either way.

Saturday's Championship tips

Cardiff vs Charlton - Addicks to extend their unbeaten run

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Saturday, 12:30

Cardiff are one of only two winless Championship clubs. Despite this stat, they have dominated in some of their recent fixtures. Brian Barry-Murphy's side have perhaps been a little naive at times, and they don't seem particularly keen to deviate from their preferred style of play.

On a positive note, they are unbeaten at home, drawing all three of their matches here, battling back from conceding the first goal of the game. This squad has plenty of character, but potentially lacks experienced leadership.

Aside from a first-half catastrophe against Stoke, Charlton have made an impressive start to the campaign. The Addicks were the better side against Pompey at the weekend, despite having to shoulder the disadvantage of playing midweek.

They've already beaten West Ham and drawn with in-form West Brom. They should be able to collect at least a point.

Millwall vs West Ham - Hammers to take advantage of Millwall's injury woes

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Saturday, 12:30

One of the most-anticipated Championship fixtures of the season gets underway on Saturday lunchtime as West Ham make the short trip to the Den.

From a Millwall perspective, this feels like an unfortunate time to be facing your rivals with the Hammers having just stuck six past Wrexham and looking to extend their unbeaten run in the second tier to four games. Nuno's men were beaten by Fulham in the League Cup in midweek, but that isn't likely to dent their confidence.

The Lions drew 2-2 with Middlesbrough on Tuesday night, producing a wonderful first-half display, before capitulating in the second period. Alex Neil's side have been hit by a series of injuries, which has decimated their squad and prevented them from changing games with their bench.

They have conceded eight times in their last four matches and they have lost their robust edge, for which they are famed.

Stoke vs Sheffield United - Points shared in the Potteries

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Saturday, 12:30

Stoke's slow start is a thing of the past. Mark Robins' side responded to their hammering at Molineux by embarking upon a four-match unbeaten streak, which has included victories over Watford, Charlton and Norwich.

The hosts have made themselves much tougher to break down, conceded just twice so far in September and they could make it tricky for the inconsistent Blades.

Sheffield United deployed a back five against Wolves and were able to thwart the recently relegated outfit for the majority of the contest. Unfortunately, that stifled their creativity, with the hosts managing just six shots and producing a total xG of 0.63.

The Blades are still unbeaten on the road, but this is a tough-looking trip. They may be able to take a point.

Birmingham vs Middlesbrough - Boro's defence to struggle against lively hosts

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Saturday, 15:00

Birmingham have made a strong start to the season, suffering just a single defeat so far. The Blues edged an entertaining game against Derby last weekend, allowing the Rams 37 touches in their box, and they survived a few scares late in the game.

Chris Davies' side are far from the finished product, but the squad feels more united this time around, and they are working hard for the full 90 minutes. They are also creating opportunities, and have netted in each of their last six fixtures.

Middlesbrough's defence came under fire in midweek as Millwall netted twice at the Riverside. Boro's tactics have to be questioned with the Teessiders finding themselves 2 vs 2 at the back on several occasions. This could prove to be a dangerous approach at St. Andrews.

Boro cannot be accused of lacking firepower, and they are always likely to punch back. They were lucky to keep a clean sheet at QPR, but they may not be quite so fortuitous this time around.

Burnley vs Derby - Two porous defences expected to leak

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Saturday, 15:00

Things haven't gone according to plan for Nicky Hayen at Burnley. The relegated Clarets are yet to record a victory this season, and have looked disorganised at the back. They have a deep squad, and there is plenty of time to turn things around, but we'll have to wait and see whether the former Club Brugge gaffer is afforded the luxury of time.

Their home performances have been better, with their second-half displays against both West Ham and Middlesbrough providing some comfort to their supporters. Nevertheless, they have failed to follow these performances up and they were easily swept aside by Swansea at the weekend.

Derby's season isn't faring much better. John Eustace's side were beaten by his former employers at the weekend, making it three defeats on the spin. They have been victorious on the road, but this is a tough ask, especially when you factor in their injury issues. Jacob Widell Zetterstrom is the latest player to be out for several weeks, and that is unlikely to help with their quest for a clean sheet.

Lincoln vs Swansea - Low-scoring contest expected at Sincil Bank

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Saturday, 15:00

Having lost their head coach in the summer, Lincoln were widely tipped for relegation and many expected them to drop straight back into the third tier. The Imps have completely defied these pre-season expectations and currently sit in ninth place with seven games played.

The management duo have been superb, helping the club to bounce back from consecutive defeats, and they will be hoping to extend their current unbeaten streak to six matches. Furthermore, last season's League One champions have conceded just once since August 22nd. They even managed to keep a clean sheet against their former manager at the weekend.

Swansea are joint-leaders, opening the season with a 4-2-1 record. They've won two of their first three away games, and have managed to keep four clean sheets so far. They won't give much away, but they may also find it tough to break down the resilient hosts.

Portsmouth vs Blackburn - Very little between the teams at Fratton Park

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Saturday, 15:00

Portsmouth have steadied the ship and are unbeaten in their last two matches. John Mousinho's side have also managed to keep back-to-back clean sheets, although they didn't create anywhere near enough at Charlton last weekend.

Blackburn beat Millwall at Ewood Park, continuing their outstanding recent record against the Lions. There is a lack of consistency to Rovers this season, and they are also yet to win on their travels. Under Tony Mowbray, they will attempt to play decent football, but there is always a danger that the hosts will pick them off.

Neither of these sides are able to boast an embarrassment of riches going forward, and recent meetings have been fairly tight. This could follow suit.

QPR vs Preston - Managerless visitors to keep things tight

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Saturday, 15:00

QPR won three of their first four matches, but their early-season form has stuttered somewhat in September. The R's haven't been particularly free-scoring, drawing three blanks in their last six matches and failing to hit the back of the net in each of their last two fixtures at Loftus Road.

The hosts have had a few injury disruptions, but can still call upon Rumarn Burrell, Nicholas Madsen and Kwame Poku.

Preston sacked Paul Heckingbottom earlier in the week, having lost six of their opening seven matches. QPR are 4/61.67 to beat the struggling Lilywhites, but I'm not keen to write off their chances of the visitors. A change of manager can occasionally galvanise a squad and they could be up for the battle on this occasion.

Wrexham vs Southampton - Confident Cyle to continue his scoring streak

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Saturday, 15:00

Wrexham will be looking to bounce back from their embarrassing 6-0 hammering in front of the Sky Sports cameras last Friday night. Phil Parkinson's side have collected just a single victory so far this season, and remain winless in front of their own fans.

This is a tough fixture for the hosts. Their wait for a home victory is likely to continue on Saturday afternoon.

The Welsh side have conceded the opening goal in their three matches here, and look defensively suspect.

Southampton have netted seven times in their last two matches, both of which have been at St. Mary's. Away from home, they rarely keep clean sheets, and were below-par in their recent visit to Birmingham. They will give Wrexham plenty of chances, but they will also create opportunities themselves. In Cyle Larin, they have an in-form striker who hit the target with his only two shots on target at the weekend. He has seven goals in seven appearances and should enjoy coming up against this Wrexham backline.

Sunday's Championship tips

Wolves vs West Brom - Entertaining Sunday lunchtime contest

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Sunday, 12:00

Wolves have been an entertaining outfit to follow this season, although they were required to produce a workmanlike performance against Sheffield United last weekend. Cesar Peixoto's side had to remain patient and wait for their opportunities to come along. The Black Country outfit have plenty of options from the bench and were able to deploy both Jordan James and Raul Jimenez from the bench at Bramall Lane.

Their matches at Molineux have been highly watchable contests, and although this is likely to be much tighter, I'd expect both teams to register.

West Brom are an incredibly tough team to face. James Morrison's side are extremely well-drilled, well-structured and difficult to break down. They did manage to keep a clean sheet at Pride Park, but when visiting better sides, such as Middlesbrough and Norwich, they've been unable to keep a clean sheet and have gifted the opposition plenty of opportunities.

Norwich vs Bolton - Canaries to triumph at Carrow Road

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Sunday, 13:30

Norwich were involved in a topsy-turvy affair at the Riverside Stadium last weekend, eventually going down 4-3 to last season's play-off finalists. With the return of Jovon Makama, the form of Mo Toure and the occasional class of Anthony Musaba, they have plenty of attacking talent in their XI. Paris Maghoma has also returned to fitness, and Jacob Wright produced a superb cameo from the bench last weekend.

The East Anglian outfit have netted eight times in their last three games and have an average home xG of 1.96. They should be able to create plenty of chances on Sunday afternoon.

Bolton edged a tight game last weekend, although they were indebted to Gavin Bazunu for making a couple of superb saves to keep the Trotters in the game. Away from home, they've been much leakier, shipping a combined seven goals to Millwall and Sheffield United. They could find it tricky to keep the upwardly mobile hosts at arm's length.

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