Birmingham City v Rotherham United
Rotherham hover just above the relegation places with seven games left to secure their survival and Sky Bet make them 11/5 to get the run-in off to a winning start at Birmingham. The Millers will be looking to snap a run of three straight defeats prior to the international break. Blues have not been in great form as they seek a first success in four games but Sky Bet make them 5/4 favourites with the draw on offer at 23/10. Gary Rowett’s side are 12 points clear of the drop zone and another win would surely see them safe for another season – Rowett bagged his first away win as Blues boss against these rivals and with plenty still at stake, both teams to score at 4/5 looks the way to go.
Top Tip: Both teams to score at 4/5
Brighton and Hove Albion v Norwich City
Brighton took four points from their last two games on the road and can now be backed at 11/5 with Sky Bet back on their own patch as they host high-flying Norwich. Alex Neil’s side are one of a handful of teams still in with a good shot at automatic promotion and they are the 5/4 favourites here to collect three more vital points. The Canaries are unbeaten in four games and a surprise home reverse to Wigan at the start of March has been their only defeat in a dozen games. The goals have flowed with some regularity as well and over 2.5 in this match appeals with an odds-against quote.
Top Tip: Over 2.5 goals at 11/10
Fulham v Brentford
It’s derby day in west London with Brentford 13/10 with Sky Bet to keep their push for the promotion places on course with three points. The Bees looked to have been sunk last time out against Millwall but two late strikes secured a point at Griffin Park – a draw here can be backed at 13/5. Fulham still have some work to do to get properly clear of the relegation places and victory for them is a 9/5 chance. The Cottagers snapped a streak of four games without a victory by taking a maximum haul at Huddersfield before the international break and will be looking for some revenge here having lost the reverse encounter 2-1 in November. Both teams to score at 4/7 looks tempting.
Top Tip: Both teams to score 4/7
Middlesbrough v Wigan Athletic
Middlesbrough are the hottest favourites on the Sky Bet Championship coupon on Good Friday at 4/7. It is understandable with Boro right in the hunt for automatic promotion as they hosts a Wigan team which remains in the relegation places. The Latics are 5/1 to claim three points on Teesside but they did spring a surprise recently when getting the better of in-form Norwich at Carrow Road so an upset should perhaps not be totally dismissed. Wigan have won three from six since the end of February so could be a dangerous rival and while the draw is tempting at 14/5, a one-goal start for the visitors on the handicap at 5/4 could give you a run for your money.
Top Tip: Wigan (+1) at 5/4
Millwall v Charlton Athletic
You have to go back to early February for the last time that Millwall won a game in the Championship and you would surely think they will be fired-up to end that run against their London rivals. Sky Bet make the Lions 7/5 to take three points and boost their survival hopes – they currently sit second bottom in the table. Charlton are safe but probably have too much to do to make an impact on the play-off places but are on offer here at 19/10 with the draw available at 23/10. Millwall conceded two late goals against Brentford to throw away a winning position on their latest start and with that in mind, expect them to get off to a fast start in front of their own fans.
Top Tip: Millwall to score first at 10/11
Nottingham Forest v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Nottingham Forest are 7/5 with Sky Bet to return to winning ways after losing 3-1 at Norwich in their last game before the international break. Wolves sit one place above Forest but eight points ahead so remain well in the chase for the top six or perhaps even better – they are on offer here at 19/10 with the draw at 23/10. Wolves striker Benik Afobe is the 5/1 favourite in the first goalscorer betting, while Matty Fryatt and Dexter Blackstock are the top Forest contenders at 6/1.
Top Tip: Dexter Blackstock and Benik Afobe both to score at 13/2
Ipswich Town v AFC Bournemouth
Ipswich and Bournemouth were involved in a cracking 2-2 draw back in November and a stalemate can be backed at 23/10 at Sky Bet with the same scoreline trading at 12/1. The Tractor Boys’ push for promotion looked to have faltered but back-to-back 1-0 wins over Bolton and Watford have re-energised their bid – a 1-0 home win is 15/2 and Mick McCarthy’s men are 19/10 for any type of victory. But it is hard to see the Cherries not getting on the scoresheet with the leaders the top scorers in the division having bagged 82 goals so far. Bournemouth have taken Kenwyne Jones on loan to boost the frontline during their run-in and another success is 7/5 at Sky Bet – but both sides to score looks a more promising wager.
Top Tip: Both teams to score at 4/5
Derby County v Watford
Fifth-placed Derby take on second-placed Watford in a key clash at the top of the Sky Bet Championship. Sky Bet make the Rams 11/10 favourites to find the winning touch again against a Watford side that were beaten in the final moments at home by Ipswich on their latest start. That was their first loss in seven games and the Hornets are 23/10 here with Sky Bet for glory with the draw on offer at 5/2. That latter option looks a good play in this one with Steve McClaren’s side settling for a point in two of their last four fixtures.
Top Tip: The draw at 5/2
Bolton Wanderers v Blackpool
Bolton are odds-on at 4/7 with Sky Bet to pull themselves closer to safety in the Championship against basement dwellers Blackpool. The Seasiders can be backed at 9/2 and will have drawn some comfort from ending a six-game losing run with a battling point at home to Leeds last time out. Another draw can be backed at 3/1 as Blackpool seek a first victory on the road this season. Bolton striker Adam Le Fondre is the 4/1 favourite to open the scoring and Gary Madine, who has netted Blackpool’s last two goals, is the top contender for the away side at 9/1.
Top Tip: Gary Madine to score first at 9/1
Leeds United v Blackburn Rovers
Leeds and Blackburn are two teams safely ensconced in the middle of the Sky Bet Championship table and unsurprisingly there’s very little between them in the betting. Sky Bet make the hosts 7/4 chances and Rovers are marginal favourites at 6/4. The draw can be supported at 3/1. Blackburn striker Jordan Rhodes is the 11/2 favourite in the first goalscorer betting and Billy Sharp is the top Leeds prospect at 13/2. You can back both Sharp and Rhodes to score in the match at 15/2.
Top Tip: Billy Sharp and Jordan Rhodes both to score at 15/2
Reading v Cardiff City
Reading are warmish favourites at 11/10 with Sky Bet and Steve Clarke would not mind another win or two to just rubber stamp their Championship status for next season ahead of their FA Cup semi-final in the middle of April. The Royals’ league form has been hit and miss of late and they will have to be on their mettle against a Cardiff team that is unbeaten in three games. The Bluebirds are 5/2 with the draw priced up at 23/10. Reading duo Simon Cox and Pavel Pogrebnyak, who scored twice at Charlton in his last outing, are the joint-favourites in the first goalscorer betting at 11/2. Eoin Doyle is the top Cardiff contender at 13/2.
Top Tip: Pavel Pogrebnyak to score first at 11/2
Sheffield Wednesday v Huddersfield Town
Sheffield Wednesday showed tremendous spirit with a late rally to take all three points at South Yorkshire rivals Rotherham last time. The Owls are favourites here with Sky Bet at 23/20 to follow up against another Yorkshire side who need a shot in the arm having not won a game in six outings. The Terriers look safe enough and can be backed at 12/5 with the draw at 23/10 . Only the bottom three have scored less goals than the Owls but their defence is solid so the advice would be to go low on the goals tally and back under 2.5 at 8/11 with Sky Bet.
Top Tip: Under 2.5 goals at 8/11
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