English Football League / Andrew French / 10 January 2008 /

Andrew French talks us through the main betting opportunities in this weekend's Championship fixtures

In the topsy-turvy world of the Championship, it would be no surprise to see leaders West Brom slip up at Hull City in this weekend's live game on Sky.

Few people would doubt the Baggies are playing some of the best football in the division and their goal return of late has been impressive: they've netted 18 times in their last eight league games.

However, despite being top of the table, they are far from unbeatable, having lost their last two away games (at Stoke and Ipswich) as well as being whipped 4-2 at home by neighbours Coventry last month.

In fact, who is pressing a claim to be champions? Watford were for the first three months of the season (32 points from a possible 39) but since then their slide has been alarming (15 points from a possible 39).

Bristol City have sustained their challenge but they don't score too many goals, Stoke's direct style may hamper them, Charlton's home form just isn't good enough and Ipswich will not win the league if they can't win an away game.

It's not hard to see why many pundits feel that the likelihood of promoted teams avoiding immediate relegation in future seasons is diminishing each year.

Back to this weekend's game at Boothferry Park, where Hull are proving hard to beat. They are undefeated in eight at home, and have only conceded three goals in that time. Veteran striker Dean Windass is still banging them in, and in Manchester United loanee Fraizer Campbell, they have found a young talent who has also weighed in with six goals - the 20-year-old recently agreed to stay with the Tigers for the rest of the season.

Albion are the Championship's goal kings, averaging more than two a game. Kevin Phillips has found the net wherever he's gone, and 15 in 17 league appearances this season underlines that.

Throw in youngster Ishmael Miller (seven goals), Slovenian international Robert Koren (seven) and Roman Bednar (six), and it's easy to see their goal potential.

It's reasonable to assume the Baggies will score - they've only failed to do so in two of their 26 league outings so far - but I'd be tempted to look at the draw at [3.5], given the home side's good run at Boothferry Park. Hull are priced at [2.94] to win, with Albion currently trading at [2.58].

Elsewhere in the Championship, a couple of this weekend's games will have a major bearing on both ends of the table. Preston, available at [3.35] have regularly been involved in a battle for the play-offs, but this season it's all about survival. A visit from away-day kings Watford, available at [2.32], who have won more games on the road (nine) than any other side in the division, is not a great prospect for Alan Irvine's side. Preston have a very good defensive record at home (11 conceded in 13 games) but they've lost their last three at Deepdale, and it's hard to see beyond a Watford victory.

With both West Brom and Watford facing away trips though, Bristol City could top the table on Saturday night. They are only [1.74] to beat struggling Colchester who are [6.0] at Ashton Gate and with seven wins in their last 10 league games, it's not hard to see why. Colchester have won at Charlton and drawn at Watford this season, but they're not next to bottom by chance.

Two of the promotion contenders meet at Portman Road, with Ipswich at [2.16] still boasting the Championship's only unbeaten home record. Many observers felt they were unfortunate to lose to Portsmouth in the FA Cup, especially having had young midfielder Liam Trotter harshly sent off after only 24 minutes.

Stoke, who are [3.7] have only lost two of their 13 away league games this season, but I'd still want to take them on considering Ipswich's home form. Laying Stoke at [3.8] keeps the draw on my side as well.

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