Barnsley best value in the Championship

The big game in the Championship this weekend is the live lunchtime game (12:15, SKY SPORTS) between Reading and QPR. The last time these sides met was in the Premier League when the drawn game resulted in both sides being relegated from the top flight.

Both sides have made decent starts to their Championship campaign and will expect to be in the mix for promotion come the end of the season. Bookmakers are split as to who to make the favourites with the Royals shorter with some firms though overall the slight outsiders at odds of 9/5 (bet365/boylesports/BETVICTOR). Reading are looking to bounce back from a shock 5-2 defeat to Sheff Wednesday last time out. At home though they have an impresive record in the Championship with no defeat in their last 16 games.

QPR suffered their first defeat of the season away to Burnley recently but since then have bounced right back with a draw at Wigan followed by victory over Derby. The Hoops are available at 17/10 (bet365/BETVICTOR/william hill).

Charlie Austin has netted six times this season and is 13/8 (bet365) to score at anytime and will fancy his chances against a Royals defence that has failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last five games. Adam Le Fondre has netted six times this season for Reading and has two in the last three and can be backed 15/8 (STAN JAMES) to net at anytime.

Those who want a bet on the match might want to look to the Man of the Match market where Clint Hill has to be the option. The QPR player has already won the award four times this season on website whoscored.com which is who settles the result for BETVICTOR. Hill is priced at 12/1 with the firm and that looks the way to play it.

League leaders Burnley only picked up one point last time out against Millwall which marked the end of a remarkable run of seven straight victories. This weekend Bournemouth are the visitors to Turf Moor and the Cherries without an away win in four do not offer any appeal even at odds of 9/2 (bet365/TOTESPORT/betfred). Leicester continue to go well in the division and confidence will be high after an impressive victory over Watford last week which made it four straight victories. The visiting Forest side have lost their last couple but will be dangerous opponents in this East Midlands derby.

The best bet in the division comes in taking Barnsley to see off Doncaster in the South Yorkshire derby at 6/5 (BET365/paddy Power). The Tykes have been on a decent run of late losing just one of their last five with this defeat coming at Loftus Road to high flying QPR. Barnsley have played the loan market well bringing in Premier League experience in Jack Butland and David Fox. At Oakwell they have been strong recently with two wins, three draws and just one defeat from their last six.

Visitors Doncaster have lost their last three games shipping 11 games in total and will miss skipper Rob Jones and his leadership at the back so side with the home side.

Another bet worth taking in this division is in the game between Derby and Sheff Wed where it is worth an interet in this first half having over 1.5 goals. 71% of the Owls goals have come in the first half (a league high) while no side in the division has scored more goals from open play than the Rams (21). This could be a high scorer game so odds of 15/8 (sportingbet) appeal.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Barnsley to beat Doncaster, 6/5 (BET365/paddy Power)
SILVER: Over 1.5 first half goals in Derby and Sheff Wed, 15/8 (sportingbet)
BRONZE: Clint Hill to be man of the match, Reading v QPR, 12/1 (BETVICTOR)

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10/11/2013     © Frixo 2026