Sunderland knocked Sheffield Wednesday out of the League One play-offs last season and Dan Fitch is backing the Championship side to come out on top again, as he previews the EFL Cup action...
Easy win for Championship leaders
Blackburn 1.42/5 v Hartlepool 9.08/1; The Draw 5.24/1
Wednesday 10 August, 19:45
Blackburn are top of the Championship after two games. They've beaten both QPR and Swansea without conceding a goal and are the only team in the division with a 100% record.
Meanwhile, Hartlepool have yet to score a goal in League Two (P2 D1 L1). You can back a Blackburn half-time win, Blackburn full-time win and 'No' in both teams to score at 2.962/1.
Coventry back in action
Coventry 2.0421/20 v Bristol City 3.613/5; The Draw 3.613/5
Wednesday 10 August, 19:45
Coventry have had plenty of rest ahead of this fixture, after their weekend home game against Rotherham was postponed due to a dangerous pitch. That means that they've not played since their 1-1 draw at Sunderland on the first day of the season.
At this stage of the season inactivity is not an advantage, but Bristol City have had a poor start to the campaign, losing to both Hull (2-1) and Sunderland (3-2). Avoid the result and instead go for both teams to score and over 2.5 goals at 1.910/11.
Hard to have faith in Boro
Middlesbrough 1.434/9 v Barnsley 8.27/1; The Draw 4.94/1
Wednesday 10 August, 19:45
Chris Wilder's Middlesbrough are still waiting for their first win. A 1-1 draw with West Brom was followed by a 3-2 defeat at QPR over the weekend.
League One's Barnsley lost their opener at Plymouth, but bounced back with a 1-0 win over Cheltenham. It's hard to have much faith in Boro at this price, so go with both teams to score and under 3.5 goals at odds of 2.942/1.
Peterborough will continue unbeaten start
Plymouth 2.3211/8 v Peterborough 2.9215/8; The Draw 3.711/4
Wednesday 10 August, 19:45
Peterborough are top of League One after two games, winning 3-2 at Cheltenham and then 3-0 at home to Morecombe on Saturday.
Fellow League One club Plymouth won their opener against Barnsley, but then lost 2-1 at Fleetwood. Back Peterborough double chance and both teams to score at 1.9620/21.
Fresh Rotherham will win
Port Vale 3.412/5 v Rotherham 2.265/4; The Draw 3.39/4
Wednesday 10 August, 19:45
Port Vale won their first game against Fleetwood upon their return to League One, but were brought back down to earth at the weekend when they were thrashed 4-0 at Exeter.
Now they face a Rotherham side that have not played since drawing 1-1 with Swansea on the opening day, following that postponement at Coventry. There looks to be some value in backing the Championship side, so simply go with a Rotherham win at 2.265/4.
Back repeat of play-offs
Sheffield Wednesday 2.3611/8 v Sunderland 3.185/40; The Draw 3.412/5
Wednesday 10 August, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports Main Event
This televised clash sees Sheffield Wednesday hosting the Sunderland side that beat them in last season's League One play-off semi-finals. Sunderland earned promotion and have made an unbeaten start to life in the Championship, drawing with Coventry and then beating Bristol City.
Wednesday have also made an unbeaten start, drawing 3-3 with Portsmouth and then winning 1-0 at MK Dons. Yet their odds seem shirt against a side that got the better of them in the play-offs. Go for Sunderland double chance and both teams to score at 2.285/4.
Baggies will keep it tight
West Brom 2.3211/8 v Sheffield United 3.211/5; The Draw 3.39/4
Thursday 11 August, 19:45
There's also a game on Thursday, with two Championship clubs meeting when West Brom host Sheffield United. The Baggies have drawn both of their games, with their matches against Middlesbrough and Watford finishing 1-1.
Sheffield United lost 1-0 at Watford, but managed to beat Millwall 2-0 at the weekend. Under 2.5 goals is 1.834/5.
Wednesday EFL Cup Acca
If you place £10 on a multiple or Bet Builder bet, Betfair will give you a £2 free bet
Back Blackburn to beat Hartlepool, both Coventry and Bristol City to score, Rotherham to beat Port Vale, Sunderland double chance against Sheffield Wednesday at 7.04151/25