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Mixed martial arts Championship Best Bets: April 18th-19th - Three Picks this Midweek
Midweek Championship Best Bets: April 18th-19th
We are back with more Championship best bets ahead of a full midweek round of fixtures. The weekend saw champions elect Burnley held to a goalless draw and therefore mathematically ended the possibility of beating Reading’s all time Championship points record. The same team that denied them on Saturday much to the delight of the Royals’ social media team. Sheffield United took another step towards joining the Clarets at the top table next season.
The play-offs remain wide open with just four points separating 6th and 12th.
At the bottom, a big win for Blackpool over the only side below them keeps survival hopes alive for the Tangerines. With Reading the only other side in the current bottom nine to pick up a point.
Three of the midweek games go under the microscope, with a best bet in each.
In this article:
- Sheffield United vs Bristol City Preview & Best Bet
- QPR vs Norwich Preview & Best Bet
- Middlesbrough vs Hull Preview & Best Bet
Sheffield United vs Bristol City Preview
Tuesday, April 18th, 19:45 (UK)
The Blades had their bottle tested on Saturday as Cardiff took the lead at Bramall Lane. It was a test they passed with flying colours. Storming back to record a 4-1 victory and underline their desire to join Burnley back in the big time next season. Third placed Luton won’t go away but a fifth win in seven games sees Paul Heckingbottom’s men maintain their five-point lead over the Hatters with five games to play.
Nigel Pearson was philosophical in defeat on Saturday. Recognising his side had played well, created lots of opportunities but fell short in both boxes. Be it undeserved or not the 2-0 loss at Watford saw the Robins slip another place in the Championship table to 14th. Ten points adrift of the playoffs and 11 clear of the drop zone with only pride to play for over the remaining four games.
Sheffield United vs Bristol City Best Bet
Sheffield United are showing few signs of nerves as they tick off the points needed to return to the Premier League. Eight wins from the last 10 at Bramall Lane illustrate that. The only two blips in that record came against the 3rd and 4th placed pair of Luton and Middlesbrough. Despite wanting his players to “play at full tilt” until the end of the season, Pearson has seen his side win just one of their last six games. With three defeats, all “to-nil” in their last four road trips. The host’s desire and will to win will be too much here.
- Selection: Sheffield United -1 Asian handicap (TRACKED BET)
- Best Odds: 1.98 (Unibet)
- Stakes: 7/10
More Sheffield United vs Bristol City Tips
QPR vs Norwich Preview
Wednesday, April 19th, 19:45 (UK)
Normal service was resumed at Loftus Road on Saturday. QPR had boosted their survival hopes by earning an unlikely point in coming from two goals down at West Brom on Easter Monday. The R’s conceded in the opening 10 minutes for the fifth time in six matches as they were soundly beaten 3-0 by playoff-chasing Coventry. The defeat was a seventh in nine games since Gareth Ainsworth’s appointment to stave off the threat of relegation. His side now sit just one point above the drop zone.
Norwich were embarrassed in front of the live TV cameras on Friday night. Falling behind after just seven minutes and shipping another three in the five minutes before halftime. A performance David Wagner summed up as “horrendous” in front of both goals. Given the Canaries have lost only one fewer game than relegation-threatened Rotherham in 18th place. It is incredible to think they are still only two points outside the playoffs.
QPR vs Norwich Best Bet
David Wagner will demand a reaction from his underperforming troops following their 5-1 humiliation at Middlesbrough. Failure to win in West London will surely end their participation in the playoff race they are still fortunate to be a part of. Gareth Ainsworth, not for the first time, described his side as too easy to score against and too fragile. Although atrocious defensively Norwich have the forward players to take advantage.
- Selection: Norwich to Win
- Best Odds: 2.30 (Unibet)
- Stakes: 7/10
Middlesbrough vs Hull Preview
Wednesday, April 19th, 20:00 (UK)
Middlesbrough thrashed Norwich 5-1 on Friday night to register a first win in four games. Although Michael Carrick thought his side played “pretty well” and have performed better. It’s a warning shot to those still to face Boro in the next four games and possibly more beyond the regular season. The eight-point deficit to 2nd placed Sheffield United may be too large to close. While there is hope the Teesiders will continue to push and of course still have playoff positions to jostle for with Luton ahead of them in 3rd.
Unlike their hosts Hull have nothing but pride to play for during the remainder of this season. The Tigers kept a first clean sheet in six games on the road in a 0-0 draw at Blackburn on Saturday. Liam Rosenior described his side’s performance as “brave”. Playing out from the back and through Rovers’ press. It will be interesting to see if that fearless approach pays off against this hungry and energetic Boro side.
Middlesbrough vs Hull Best Bet
Middlesbrough will be all out to keep their slim automatic promotion hopes alive. They will take heart from the fact that Blackburn were presented with several good opportunities to score against Hull at the weekend. By his own admission, Jon Dahl Tomasson put his side’s blank down to lacking quality in finishing and decision-making. The Tigers are unlikely to get away with the same against Michael Carrick’s men. They have won seven of their last nine games at the Riverside. With 79 goals to their name they are also the top scorers in the Championship. Thanks in no small part to Chuba Akpom who has plundered a league-high 27 goals with 19 of those coming on home soil. His strike against Norwich saw the 27-year-old on the scoresheet for an eighth home game in succession. That equalled the Championship record so he will be determined to grab a slice of personal glory here.
- Selection: Chuba Akpom to score (TRACKED BET)
- Best Odds: 2.10 (William Hill)
- Stakes: 8/10
Odds via Unibet and William Hill as at 02:00 on April 17th 2023. Odds may now differ.
More Middlesbrough vs Hull Tips
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