Football Championships 9th Feb

By the time you read this column Billy Davies may have been already sacked as manager of Nottingham Forest manager after taking over Thursday. Cheap jokes aside Davies to me is actually a good appointment as manager with his record in the Championship and he will look to get Forest back in the play-off picture. He will begin his second spell at the club this Saturday away to Bristol City who are of course managed by the man Forest sacked earlier this season (well the first one) Sean O’Driscoll. If I could be at one game this weekend it would be this one as it looks a tasty encounter with some real grudge issues. Some people might think Davies back in charge of Forest means feel a good moment but it may take time for him to work his magic and City have won their last two home games. This looks one to avoid from a betting point of view.

One bet I do like the look of in the Championship though is Barnsley to get something out of their trip to Middlesbrough. Tony Mowbray and his side look like they are starting to feel the pressure as they have lost their last four league games including a 4-0 thumping at Ipswich last weekend. Casual observers would think that the visit of Barnsley would be a good thing though form would suggest this is not the case. The Tykes are on a great run at the moment going unbeaten in their last six in all competitions, winning five of these games. Barnsley know they can not afford to take their foot off the gas and will look to heap the pressure on a badly out of sorts Boro. The visitors have Jason Scotland and Craig Dagnall in great scoring form while the hosts have netted just twice in their last four games. Take the Tykes at +0.5 on the Asian Handicap line which will pay out if they win or draw and is available at 17/16 (188Bet/pinnacle).

The best in the Championship is in taking Cardiff to see off Huddersfield at evens with bet365. These two teams could be playing two leagues apart next season as Cardiff march onwards to the title while Huddersfield are heading into a battle to stay out of League One. Take Cardiff to come out on top as they have done in each of their last five away games in this division, the Terriers meanwhile were more like little puppies in their 3-0 defeat to Derby last weekend. The club, as of writing, have yet to find a replacement for Simon Grayson with ex Man United midfielder Nicky Butt the shock target. Butt could be a great manager but it looks a huge risk on a man without any Football League management experience to try keep them in the division. Expect Cardiff to win and win well and the evens on them is a steal.

The Saturday evening live game in the Championship features two teams battling for the play-offs as Brighton entertain Hull. Bookmakers make Brighton the slight favourites at 29/20 (bet365/BetVictor) while the draw is 12/5 (general) and a Hull win is 28/13 (pinnacle). Both sides will have reason to feel confident, Hull enter on a eight game unbeaten run away from home in all competitions while Brighton have lost just one of their last eight at home in the league.

The best bet in this game might be in having a small play on the goalscorer markets where David Lopez looks value. The Spaniard has netted four times in the last seven Brighton games and is on penalty duty. He is 13/1 (betway) to score first and 4/1 (Skybet/paddy Power/william hill) to net at anytime.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Cardiff to beat Huddersfield, evens (bet365)
SILVER: Barnsley to beat Middlesbrough +0.5 on Asian Handicap, 17/16 (188 Bet/pinnacle)
BRONZE: David Lopez to net v Hull, first 13/1 (betway), anytime 4/1 (Skybet/paddy Power/william hill)

Go To bet365

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09/02/2013     © Frixo 2024