Championship tips: Can Leeds, Norwich and Boro keep up form?
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Christmas is on the horizon, and that means the games come thick and fast in the Championship.
All 24 teams are in action across Tuesday and Wednesday this week, with fierce competition throughout the league.
We’ve picked out the headline fixtures, and provided all the key odds…
Tuesday
Leeds United v Reading
Marcelo Bielsa’s men are firmly in the promotion picture, and there’ll be confident of collecting another three points as 2/5 favourites at home to Reading.
The Royals are only outside the drop zone on goal difference, and are firm underdogs at 7/1.
Leeds have lost only one of their last 13 at Elland Road, while Kemar Roofe has fired in four goals in five games. There’s 21/20 about Leeds -1, with Roofe 3/1 favourite to score first.
Hull City v Norwich City
But after 18 games of the season, it’s Norwich City who rule the roost at the top. The Canaries have won their last six league games, scoring 17 goals in the process.
Daniel Farke’s men are 11/10 to make it seven on the spin away at Hull City. The Tigers are 5/2, but did pull off a surprise win at home to West Bromwich Albion earlier this month.
Preston v Middlesbrough
Another side harbouring major promotion dreams are Tony Pulis’ Middlesbrough. Naturally, this Pulis side boasts the best defence in the division, having conceded only nine times.
Unbeaten in six, Boro are 11/10 to win away at Preston North End. The Deepdale outfit are without defeat in eight however, and are soaring up the table after a poor start.
Wednesday
Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest
A battle between two former European champions, both Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest are going well at present.
New Villa boss Dean Smith has found his feet in the Midlands, and has guided the Villans to three straight wins.
They’re 20/23 to make it four on the bounce at home to Aitor Karanka’s Forest. But the visitors have only lost twice this season. They’re 3/1 to win, although plenty of eyes will be on the draw at 5/2.
Expect goals in this season. Forest have scored in eight of their nine away games, while Villa are the third-highest goalscorers at home. Both teams to net is 3/4, while over 3.5 goals is 11/5.
Swansea City v West Bromwich Albion
West Brom are many people’s tip for the title this season. The Baggies have already scored a mighty 39 goals.
But 26 goals conceded is the highest of any side in the top 15. They’re 15/4 to beat Swansea with both teams to score.
Dwight Gayle and Jay Rodriguez have nine goals apiece this term, and they’re each 9/2 to score first in Wales. And with games involving West Brom seeing an average of 3.6 goals scored this season, it’s 21/10 for over 3.5 goals.
Stoke City v Derby County
Former Derby defender Gary Rowett will be looking to do a number on his old club this week.
His Stoke side are 11/8 to get the better of Frank Lampard’s men. The Rams are 2/1, with a draw 9/4.
The Potters have lost just one of their last nine league games, although goals remain a problem. They’ve scored one or fewer in seven of those. Under 2.5 goals is 4/5. Two of Derby’s last four away league games have ended 1-1, and there’s 11/2 about a repeat in Staffordshire.
Click here for all our Championship odds.
All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication
