football | Friday, April 21, 2023 11:38 AM (Revised at: Friday, April 21, 2023 2:07 PM)

Championship Best Bets: Three Value Picks this Saturday

Jack Wright

Championship Best Bets: Saturday, April 22nd

We are back with more Championship best bets ahead of this weekend’s action. Despite a double gameweek for all clubs, not too much has changed with most issues still to be resolved.

Two wins for Sheffield United mean they need just one more victory to confirm their promotion. Although they have the small matter of an FA Cup semi-final to focus on this weekend.

West Brom were the biggest movers in the playoff hunt. Back-to-back away wins see the Baggies up to 7th, just a point outside the top six.

At the bottom Wigan recorded a first success on the road in 18 attempts, to keep their slim hopes of beating the drop alive.

Three of Saturday’s games go under the microscope, with a best bet in each.

In this article:

Birmingham vs Blackpool Preview & Best Bet
Coventry vs Reading Preview & Best Bet
Hull vs Watford Preview & Best Bet

Birmingham vs Blackpool Preview

Saturday, April 22nd, 15:00 (UK)

A hard-fought win at Millwall on Tuesday guaranteed Birmingham will be playing Championship football next season. After a traumatic campaign, it is a credit to John Eustace and his team that they have secured safety with three games to spare. The Blues boss praised his players for “sweating blood for the team” after picking up three points at the Den. A record of just one defeat in their last six games keeping three successive shutouts and St Andrews shows just how resilient the hosts currently are.

Interim boss Stephen Dobbie would have been disappointed his side were unable to follow up their huge win against Wigan. A West Brom side, who have struggled away from home, inflicted a fifth defeat in six games at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday night. Perilously six points from safety with just three games to play the Seasiders could have relegation confirmed if they suffer another defeat in the West Midlands.

Birmingham vs Blackpool Best Bet

John Eustace will demand his side continue their good form until the end of the campaign. While the visitors will do all they can to keep their survival hopes alive. As a result, my focus here is on bookings. Especially with Mr Keith Stroud in charge.

The 53-year-old official once again managed to infuriate both sets of players, coaching teams and fans as he flashed another seven yellow cards at QPR on Wednesday. That brings his total to 159 cautions in the Championship this term. By some distance the most and with an average of 5.30 per game.

He has booked 31 players in his last five appearances with at least two from each side in four of those games. Expect that run to continue in what promises to be a feisty affair.

Selection: 20+ booking points each team (TRACKED BET)
Best Odds: 2.00 (SkyBet)
Stakes: 6/10

More Birmingham vs Blackpool Tips

Coventry vs Reading Preview

Saturday, April 22nd, 15:00 (UK)

Coventry snatched what could be a monumental point in the playoff race in the most extraordinary fashion on Wednesday. Goalkeeper Ben Wilson scored deep into injury time to earn a 1-1 draw with Blackburn. The fact it denied 6th-placed Rovers two points in the process made it even more crucial. As a result, the Sky Blues remain just one point outside the playoffs and will have earmarked this as a massive opportunity to keep up the pressure on those sides around them.

On the same night, Reading were on the receiving end of a late equaliser. Luton’s Carlton Morris heading in after a Joe Lumley error. That goal cancelled out Andy Carroll’s opener. The striker was then sent off five minutes later for a second yellow card meaning he will miss this clash. The Hatters’ goal also meant the Royals dropped back into the relegation zone. Arriving in the Midlands one point from safety with three games to play.

Coventry vs Reading Best Bet

Mark Robins’ side’s never-say-die attitude means they are now four games unbeaten. Having lost just one of their last seven at home and have a fine record against sides towards the foot of the table. The visit of the division’s worst travellers should fill the Sky Blues with plenty of confidence.

Reading have picked up only 12 points from their 21 road trips so far. Losing a league-high 15 times and have fallen to defeat in seven of their last eight away games in all competitions. To boost the price I have added over 1.5 Gustavo Hamer shots. Something he has achieved in eight of his last nine appearances including in each of the last five with 19 attempts at goal in total.

Selection: Coventry to win and over 1.5 Gustavo Hamer shots (TRACKED BET)
Best Odds: 2.00 (bet365)
Stakes: 6/10

Hull vs Watford Preview

Saturday, April 22nd, 15:00 (UK)

Hull were the latest side to feel the full force of the electric Middlesbrough frontline on Wednesday. Taking a 1-0 lead into the interval at the Riverside the Tigers were blown away after the break. Three goals from Hayden Hackney, Cameron Archer and Chuba Akpom in six second-half minutes earned Boro the come-from-behind win. Liam Rosenior pointed out his side has the ability but needs to improve their mentality.

Despite not being mathematically out of the playoff race it would take a very strange sequence of events to see the Hornets end up in the top six. In truth, I can imagine most of their supporters will be longing for as speedy an end as possible to what has been a wretched campaign. Epitomised by their latest collapse in midweek. This time to relegation-haunted Cardiff. A third successive rapid start of scoring in the opening 15 minutes was undone by the concession of three quickfire goals just before the interval.

Hull vs Watford Best Bet

Watford travel to Yorkshire with only one win from their last six attempts. Last taking three points away from home on January 2nd. A run of eight games in all competitions. The players also travel with Chris Wilder’s damning indictment of them still ringing in their ears. Calling them “weak mentally and physically” and slamming their inability to follow a plan or play as a team. Before finally claiming nobody could get a tune out of them.

These kinds of outbursts work one of two ways. A puffed-out chest reaction and an improved “we will show you” performance. Or a further downing of tools with thoughts taken up of sun loungers and conversations with agents. Given it is clear Wilder will not be in the Vicarage Road (very) hot seat next season I expect the latter. With that in mind, the 2.65 on offer for a Hull win from Unibet looks too good to ignore.

Selection: Hull to win
Best Odds: 2.65 (Unibet)
Stakes: 6/10

Odds via SkyBet, bet365 and Unibet as at 02:00 April 21st 2023. Odds may now differ.

More Hull vs Watford Tips

What are Football Best Bets?

Our best bets are posted by some of the best tipsters around. These are our tipsters best value bets. A best bet can be placed on any number of different markets. The most common of which are 1X2, the Asian handicap, BTTS, and the goals markets. Value can be found in matches from leagues across the world. Be sure to follow bettingexpert for the latest best bets.