England Championship - Saturday march 8th Betting & Previews

Johnny Cash gives us his for his favorite league on Saturday where he expects wins for Notts Forest, Brighton and Leeds.

Barnsley v Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest have hit a bit of a dip in recent weeks and have lost their last two games, a 3-1 defeat away to Burnley and 4-1 loss at home to Wigan last Saturday. Prior to these two results Billy Davies men had been on a 14 match unbeaten run and have put themselves right into the play off mix.Barnsley suffered a 5-0 hammering away to Huddersfield last Saturday and could not build on the 1-0 victory they secured against fellow strugglers Millwall the previous week. Danny Wilson’s men are bottom of the Championship and are two points off safety.Barnsley have a real fight on their hands to stay in this division and this game wont be easy with Forest looking to get back to winning ways after two disappointing results. I fancy Forest to take all three points in this one which will take them a step closer to consolidating their play off place. Verdict: Nottingham Forest.

Brighton v Reading

Brighton made it three wins out of six last Saturday with a 1-0 away win over Millwall at the Den. This result has moved them up to eighth in the Championship and they are only three points off sixth placed Wigan.Since Reading beat QPR 3-1 at Loftus Road three weeks ago, they have lost 1-0 at home to Blackburn and drew 1-1 at home with second bottom Yeovil last Saturday. Even though Yeovil finished the game with eight men, the Royals still could not manage to get the win.I think this will be a close game, however Reading’s early season inconsistencies seem to have returned and I feel Brighton will be fully focused on the league now after their FA Cup exit. I fancy Brighton to make the home advantage count and move a point ahead of Reading by taking all three points. Verdict: Brighton.

Leeds v Bolton

Leeds have taken nine points from their last six games with three draws, two wins and only one defeat. They picked up a valuable away point last Saturday in a 1-1 draw with QPR at Loftus Road in the early kick off, a game in which they dominated the first half.Bolton come to Elland Road on the back of a three match unbeaten run in which they have won their last two home games, scoring six and conceding none. Wanderers have now pulled themselves eleven points clear of the drop zone and should have secured their Championship status for another season.I think this will be another close game with Bolton buoyed by recent results and Leeds still trying to make the play offs, however I feel Leeds will be that little bit stronger with the in-form Ross Mc Cormack up front with on loan strike partner Connor Wickham. Verdict: Leeds.

Middlesbrough v Ipswich

Middlesbrough have drawn four of their last six games and lost the other two away from the Riverside. They lost 1-0 away to Sheffield Wednesday last Saturday and have a lot of work to do if they want to have any chance of making the play offs.Ipswich have drawn three of their last six games, won two and lost one. They beat Birmingham 1-0 at Portman Road last Saturday and are sitting four points off sixth placed Wigan.I feel a draw is the best option in this game as both sides are solid at the back and not overly prolific up front and although both teams will be going for the win, I think they will end up cancelling each other out. Verdict: Draw.