football | Tuesday, December 27, 2022 1:10 PM

Championship Best Bets: Three Value Picks as 2023 Edges Closer

Sam Ingram

Championship Best Bets: Thursday, December, 29th

It’s another Championship schedule of upsets, props and card punts as bettingexpert plans to cover all betting bases in England’s second tier. QPR at 18:00, Blackburn at 19:45, and Blackpool for 20:15 – could it get any better?

In this article:

QPR vs Luton Preview & Best Bet
Blackburn vs Middlesbrough Preview & Best Bet
Blackpool vs Sheffield United Preview & Best Bet

QPR vs Luton Preview

England, Championship, Thursday, December 29th, 18:00 (UK)

The Rob Edwards and Neil Critchley eras are in full swing in the Championship, with a late Cauley Woodrow strike into the roof of the net enough to grant the former a late Christmas gift on Boxing Day.

Critchley’s QPR could only muster a 0-0 in a 90-minute period where Cardiff City will have felt unlucky not to grapple the share of the spoils in their favour. The R’s appeared somewhat toothless up top, as Lyndon Dykes struggled to conjure much from the lack of tempo and creativity behind him. It was a far cry from the gaffer’s opening Preston victory in blue and white, that’s for sure.

Yet, as per, Christopher Willock still managed to work a shooting opportunity or three for QPR. The 24-year-old, who boasts six goals this term, was on hand to provide shots-backers with three attempts, with one finding the target.

QPR vs Luton Best Bet

In Willock’s 16 outings so far this season, 3.02 shots per90 is the total which defines his want to find the net. Furthermore, borne from that figure is the 0.93 shots on target per90 sum, suggesting the QPR man often conjures enough to work the goalkeeper once he steps beyond the white line.

With bet365, Willock to take two shots at goal and for one to find the target, just as he did against Cardiff and Preston in his last two matches, provides a 2.20 offering.

We can expect Ilias Chair to come in from the start here after his World Cup exploits, providing the artistry and guile his side was void of against Cardiff. The Moroccan’s inclusion can usher QPR through the gears as the New Year approaches.

Selection: Christopher Willock 2+ Shots & 1+ SOT
Best Odds: 2.20 (bet365)
Stakes: 10/10

More QPR vs Luton Tips

Blackburn vs Middlesbrough Preview

England, Championship, Thursday, December 29th, 19:45 (UK)

Chuba Akpom has registered a shot on target in each of the last eight matches. But, more importantly, it’s a stretch that has produced eight goals for the Boro forward, including a Boxing Day hat-trick against Kolo Toure’s Wigan.

Akpom’s 14 starts (17 appearances) have ushered 12 goals into the spotlight in this season’s edition of the Championship. It’s a goal haul which has him level with Viktor Gyökeres of Coventry and two ahead of next-best Zian Flemming, who edged into double figures versus Watford on the 26th.

Now, it’s a trip to Lancashire for a Michael Carrick-led Middlesbrough experiencing a resurgence after changing tact in the dugout. Since the former Boro player took the reins as head coach, Carrick has masterminded five wins from eight, including three out of four away jaunts – falling short at Turf Moor, which is certainly no disgrace.

Blackburn vs Middlesbrough Best Bet

Middlesbrough’s recent performances are yet to give anything to suggest three points at Elwood Park is out of reach. And with that, their leading in-form man in Chuba Akpom should be involved throughout.

The hat-trick last time out will have him on top of the world, so anticipate him pulling the trigger whenever the opportunity arises. In addition, a 3.36 shots per90 return this season evidences that Akpom is more than willing to play his part for Sky’s television cameras, alongside the kind of form to make the neutral turn their head.

Selection: Chuba Akpom 3+ Shots and 1+ SOT
Best Odds: 2.37 (bookmaker)
Stakes: 10/10

More Blackburn vs Middlesbrough Tips

Blackpool vs Sheffield United Preview

England, Championship, Thursday, December 29th, 20:15 (UK)

Look, if we get anything close to the October fixture between the two sides, we’re in for a cracker. The 3-3 scoreline only tells half the tale, with four red cards, somewhat of a brawl after the final whistle, and nine yellow cards dished out in total.

It’s no surprise to hear that the proposed selection landed in the reverse fixture. The bookings split ended 5/4 in the Blades’ favour, with a 98th-minute Oliver Norwood strike ensuring a share of the points at Bramall Lane.

Only one yellow card came in the first half in October, with referee David Webb enduring one of the busiest second-half showings of his Championship career. Here, Peter Bankes is the man in the middle tasked with putting out the type of fires that saw Wes Foderingham, Dominic Thompson, Marvin Ekpiteta, and Shayne Lavery all see red.

Blackpool vs Sheffield United Best Bet

Bankes has officiated just three Championship matches this season with nine yellow cards to his name. In the Premier League, where the majority of his time is spent, Bankes boasts a 4.29 yellow cards per90 average – a sum which ranks him as the third most frivolous with his cards in the top flight (of referees who have officiated more than five fixtures).

A 2.57 second-half card average makes up Bankes’ showings to date, with 71% of matches seeing both teams receive a booking after the break. This season, seven of Bankes’ nine cards in the Championship landed in the second half.

Selection: Over 3 Cards & Card Each SH (TRACKED BET)
Best Odds: 1.86 (bet365)
Stakes: 10/10

Odds via bet365 as at 11:00 December 27th 2022. Odds may now differ.

More Blackpool vs Sheffield United Tips

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