A full weekend of Championship action awaits us, starting with Bristol City’s trip to Hull on Friday night, and ending with a Sunday lunchtime clash between Watford and Blackburn Rovers. We’ve picked out a fourfold accumulator from the games on Saturday to whet your appetite.
Norwich City to beat Huddersfield Town
Norwich’s summer transfer business seemed strange to many, and they were written off as a mid-table side that would fail to trouble the elite of the division. However, under David Wagner, they’ve made an incredibly bright start, winning two and drawing one of their league matches so far.
That draw was a 4-4 at Southampton that they would have won had it not been for a dodgy late penalty decision against them, while last time out they ran riot against Millwall. They travel to a Huddersfield Town side struggling for points and goals, having only picked up their first point of the season at the weekend.
On paper and looking at the form-book, the Canaries should have far too much for Huddersfield as Wagner returns to the place where he is utterly adored.
Ipswich Town to beat Leeds United
Ipswich currently sit top of the Championship and have taken to life in the second tier like a duck to water. Kieran McKenna’s side haven’t lost a league match since Oxford United beat them back in January and they must be considered as serious promotion contenders this term.
Meanwhile Leeds United are still finding their feet under Daniel Farke. Their squad, even with the arrival of Joel Piroe, is not yet settled and they haven’t won yet this season. This should be a statement win for the home side, and it feels like the bookies are still underestimating the quality of this Ipswich team.
Coventry City to beat Sunderland
The Sky Blues drew 1-1 with Swansea last time out and Mark Robins is attempting to change the way his side play without Gustavo Hamer and Viktor Gyokeres. They focus on keeping the ball and creating chances for Matty Godden, which has worked so far given the striker has scored in his last two outings.
They are still finding their way, but the reason for this pick comes mainly from Sunderland’s injury issues. They have a whole host of issues in attacking areas, are currently without a fit number nine and played Bradley Dack in the false nine last time out. Now their issues have worsened with the news that Patrick Roberts has a hamstring issue that will keep him out until after the international break.
All of this points to a home win for the Sky Blues.
Cardiff City vs Sheffield Wednesday – Under 2.5 goals
Two of the teams that could be facing relegation battles this season meet in Wales as Cardiff host Wednesday. The Bluebirds have lost two on the spin, including a home game against QPR, which has put early pressure onto Erol Bulut’s shoulders. They only scored thanks to a wonderstrike from Aaron Ramsey against Leicester, and could struggle for goals again.
The same can be said of Sheffield Wednesday, who lost 1-0 at home to Preston last time out. This is going to be a slog for both sides, and there is unlikely to be a glut of goals as both managers are wary that another defeat could be terminal. Under 2.5 goals seems like the way to go.
