Saturday Championship Tips
Our Johnny Cash has picked out four games for Saturday’s action in the Championship.
Bolton vs Brighton
Bolton are on a five match unbeaten run and have won three and drawn two. They drew 0-0 away to Derby on Tuesday night at the iPro Stadium and in their last two home games they have scored six and conceded none.Brighton in their last three games have taken seven points out of the nine available. They beat faltering QPR 2-0 at home on Tuesday night and are still well in the play off mix, just two points off six placed Reading.I feel this will be a close game with both teams in good form. However Dougie Freedman has got Wanderers playing very well at this point in time and that coupled with their recent impressive home form should be enough to get the win for Bolton. Verdict: Bolton.
Bournemouth vs Middlesbrough
Bournemouth secured their third straight win on Wednesday night when they beat Blackburn 1-0 away at EwoodPark. The Cherries have scored seven and conceded none in these three victories and have an outside chance of making the playoffs.Middlesbrough played out yet another draw, at home on Tuesday night when they finished up 1-1 with NottinghamForest. Boro have now drawn five out of their last eight games, results which are severely damaging their play off hopes.Bournemouth are one place above Boro in the Championship and are hitting a rich vein of form with Lewis Grabban finding his shooting boots at just the right time of the season. Boro are producing too many draws and not scoring enough so I think Bournemouth will be victorious. Verdict: Bournemouth
Watford vs Barnsley
It has been a tale of two Watford’s in recent weeks. The one who can’t be beat at home and the one who can’t win away. The Hornets lost 2-1 away to Doncaster on Tuesday night and just can’t get it together on their travels.Barnsley are fighting hard at the minute with two wins and a draw out of their last six games, however they have suffered three defeats, the latest a 3-0 loss at home on Tuesday night to Champions elect Leicester City.Barnsley last won away from home on the 3rd of December last year and Watford last lost at home on the 11th of January this year. Watford have won all four home games since that defeat and have not conceded in any of those games and that is the reason why I fancy them to beat second bottom Barnsley.
Verdict: Watford.
Ipswich vs Wigan
The Wigan juggernaut showed no signs of stopping on Wednesday night when they beat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 at the DW. This was Athletics’ fifth win on the trot and has pulled them level on points with six placed Reading.Ipswich got their second win in six on Tuesday night when they beat Yeovil 1-0 away at HuishPark. This was a vital three points and has taken them to within four points of both Reading and Wigan.I think this will be a close game and it is a six pointer of sorts with both teams in the hunt for the play offs. I do feel though that Wigan will have just a little too much quality for Ipswich and I fancy them to sneak it. Verdict: Wigan
Recommended Bets
Bolton to beat Brighton at 2.50
Bournemouth to beat Middlesbrough at 2.25
Watford to beat Barnsley at 1.67
Wigan to beat Ipswich at 2.80
