football | Friday, February 10, 2023 11:31 AM (Revised at: Friday, February 10, 2023 11:06 PM)

Championship Best Bets Feb 11th: Value Picks for Five Matches this Saturday

Jack Wright

Championship Best Bets Best Bets: Saturday, February 11th

We’re back with more Championship best bets after another intriguing weekend of action last time out. Burnley extended their lead at the top of the English second tier with an imperious defeat of Norwich. 2nd placed Sheffield United saw their cushion to the chasing pack reduced to 10 points. Wins for Middlesbrough, Luton and West Brom boosted their hopes of holding on to one of the play-off places.

The bottom two Wigan and Blackpool both picked up a point in the last seven days. Huddersfield opted to twist again following that draw at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday. Mark Fotheringham is the latest manager to be relieved of his duties. He leaves the Terriers third from bottom having recorded just five wins from his 20 league games in charge.
Six games go under the microscope this week with a best bet in each.

In this article:

Blackpool vs Rotherham Preview & Best Bet
Burnley vs Preston Preview & Best Bet
Cardiff vs Middlesbrough Preview & Best Bet
QPR vs Millwall Preview & Best Bet
Sheffield United vs Swansea Preview & Best Bet
Watford vs Blackburn Preview & Best Bet

Blackpool vs Rotherham Preview

Saturday, February 11th, 15:00 (UK)

Mick McCarthy banked his first point in charge of Blackpool in midweek. The veteran manager will take great heart from the draw with relegation rivals Huddersfield. Not only seeing his side twice come from behind but having to do so with 10 men. Following a straight red card for Gary Madine in first-half injury time. However, the 2-2 draw did extend the Tangerines’ winless streak in the league to an alarming 12 games. Time will tell how crucial that point will be. For now at least, it closes the gap to Cardiff in 21st to two points.

One place and three points better off we find visitors Rotherham. Emerging unscathed and with five points in the bank from a tricky trio of fixtures will boost hopes of survival amongst Millers’ fans. Matthew Taylor has seen his side thump play-off chasing Blackburn 4-0. Then earn creditable draws with Championship heavyweights Watford and Sheffield United. This promises to be a feisty encounter between two of the favourites for the drop.

Blackpool vs Rotherham Best Bet

The returning Josh Bowler smashed home the crucial midweek equaliser. The fans’ favourite was sold to Nottingham Forest last summer and immediately loaned to Olympiacos. With both sides agreeing to terminate the deal early the 23-year-old has been re-signed by the Tangerines for the remainder of the season. Five attempts at goal in his first 180 minutes back with the Seasiders is a reminder of his propensity to shoot. Averaging a shot every 40 minutes in his first spell.

Madine’s sending-off was an incredible eighth red card for Blackpool this season. Five more than any other side in the second tier. With Rotherham seeing a league-high 41 yellow cards on the road this clash promises to keep referee Josh Smith busy. Not that this is an unusual occurrence. Only two officials have shown more than Smith’s 85 cards in the Championship this campaign. Issuing four or more cards in 15 of his 20 league outings.

Selection: Josh Bowler to have over 1.5 shots and over 3 cards in the match (TRACKED BET)
Best Odds: 2.09 (bet365)
Stakes: 5/10

More Blackpool vs Rotherham Tips

Burnley vs Preston Preview

Saturday, February 11th, 15:00 (UK)

The Burnley juggernaut slipped up another gear last weekend as they cruised to a decisive 3-0 win at Norwich. An East Anglian double was completed in midweek. Nathan Tella with both goals in a 2-1 defeat of Ipswich in their FA Cup fourth round replay. The on-loan Southampton forward was one of only three outfield players to start both fixtures. All of which leaves the Clarets seven points clear of nearest rivals Sheffield United. A further 10 ahead of third-placed Middlesbrough.

Preston were booed off at both half-time and full-time in the 2-1 home loss to Bristol City. Ryan Lowe claiming to have had “disgusting comments” aimed at him following a fifth successive home defeat. Such is the congested nature of the Championship the 11th-placed Lilywhites are just four points outside of the playoffs. But only hold a two-point advantage to Reading in 16th.

Burnley vs Preston Best Bet

In normal circumstances, this Preston side would be relishing a break from their Deepdale hell. Especially given they’ve won four of their last five league away games. Unfortunately for them a visit to Turf Moor doesn’t represent normal circumstances this season. Vincent Kompany’s side have won 13 of their last 14 second-tier fixtures. Including all of their last nine. Victory here will make them only the third side in Championship history to record 10 successive wins. The Clarets have also won 11 consecutive games on home soil in all competitions. The champions-elect look unstoppable.

Selection: Burnley -1.0 Asian Handicap (TRACKED BET)
Best Odds: 2.03 (bet365)
Stakes: 8/10

More Burnley vs Preston Tips

Cardiff vs Middlesbrough Preview

Saturday, February 11th, 15:00 (UK)

Sabri Lamouchi’s second game in charge of Cardiff produced a carbon copy of his first: a 1-0 defeat on the road. The Bluebirds now sit one place outside the relegation zone. Just a point clear of Huddersfield directly below them and only have three more than rock-bottom Wigan. Callum Robinson missed a first-half penalty at Hull to extend their run of games without a goal to three. They last tasted victory on November 5th. A sequence of 13 competitive fixtures.

Middlesbrough fans do not need long memories to know how their hosts feel. When Michael Carrick was announced as their new manager on October 24th, they too occupied 21st place. Some 14 league games later and Boro are the best of the rest up in 3rd. A brace from the Championship’s top goalscorer Chuba Akpom helped the Teesiders to a comfortable 3-0 win over Blackpool last time out. A sixth victory from their last seven league outings.

Cardiff vs Middlesbrough Best Bet

Lamouchi has set a target of “five or six” wins to secure safety. On paper, this assignment looks a tough one to get the first of those successes given league position and current form. However, three successive 1-0 defeats illustrates his side aren’t too far away from picking up points. So this may not be the away banker it looks.

Akpom is grabbing the headlines with his goals. His embryonic partnership with Cameron Archer is looking lethal. The Aston Villa loanee came off the bench in his first two games for Boro. The 21-year-old has been handed the start in back-to-back games by Carrick who seems to be a big fan. Six shots from his two games would suggest it is a matter of time before he joins Akpom on the scoresheet.

Selection: Middlesbrough or draw double chance and over 1.5 Cameron Archer shots. (TRACKED BET)
Best Odds: 2.30 (bet365)
Stakes: 5/10

More Cardiff vs Middlesbrough Tips

QPR vs Millwall Preview

Saturday, February 11th, 15:00 (UK)

There has been no extended new manager bounce at Loftus Road. Neil Critchley saw his side picking up all three points in his first game in charge. Since that win at Preston, the R’s have not won in seven league games and crashed out of the FA Cup at the hands of third-tier Fleetwood. With Lyndon Dykes still stricken with illness Rangers picked up free agent Chris Martin this week to add some extra muscle up front. QPR were held to a 1-1 draw at relegation-threatened Huddersfield last weekend.

The Lions also recorded a 1-1 result in their last fixture. Conceding an 81st-minute equaliser to Sunderland at the Den. Holding on to all three points would have seen Gary Rowett’s men go into this clash in fifth. As a consequence they are eighth but only a point outside the play-off berths.

QPR vs Millwall Best Bet

QPR have collected just two points from the last 18 available at Loftus Road. They face a tough task to buck that trend against this resolute Millwall side. The Lions have suffered just three defeats in their last 17 Championship games. Not only that they have improved the away form which was their Achilles heel last campaign. Four wins from their last eight road trips testament to that. They will have to keep a lid on the host’s main threat, Ilias Chair. Since returning from his World Cup adventure the Moroccan has fired in 16 shots from his six starts. An attempt at goal every 32 minutes.

Selection: Millwall or draw double chance and over 1.5 Ilias Chair shots.
Best Odds: 1.80 (bet365)
Stakes: 5/10

More QPR vs Millwall Tips

Sheffield United vs Swansea Preview

Saturday, February 11th, 15:00 (UK)

Following a goalless Yorkshire derby clash with Rotherham the Blades slipped seven points behind leaders Burnley. Importantly Paul Heckingbottom’s side still enjoy a 10-point cushion to Middlesbrough in 3rd. Two late goals secured a hard-fought victory in their rumbustious midweek FA Cup replay against non-league Wrexham. It is a sign of their incredible consistency this season that their last three games have been regarded as something of a disappointment. United remain unbeaten in 11 games across all competitions since returning from the World Cup break.

Following what was labelled a shambolic transfer window, Swansea suffered injury-time capitulation to a struggling Birmingham outfit. Conceding twice in added time to throw away a 3-2 lead against a side that had lost five on the spin. All of which led Russell Martin to admit he had “not felt as low as this” after the defeat.

Sheffield United vs Swansea Best Bet

Sheffield United have really made their Bramall Lane home something of a fortress once again. Registering five successive victories across all competitions with an aggregate scoreline of 11-3. Despite their midweek exertions, the Blades will be confident of moving another three points closer to promotion. Paul Heckingbottom’s side won the reverse by a goal to nil. Sweeping Swansea aside 4-0 in this fixture last season almost exactly one year ago. The Welsh club visit having won just once in their last nine attempts away from home.

Selection: Sheffield United to Win
Best Odds: 1.91 (Coral)
Stakes: 7/10

More Sheffield United vs Swansea Tips

Watford vs Blackburn Preview

Saturday, February 11th, 15:00 (UK)

Watford’s drive for promotion under Slaven Bilić continues to stutter. Seemingly cruising to a vital three points at Reading the Hornets threw away a two-goal lead and had to settle for a share of the spoils. Now without a win in three Championship fixtures the home side will be desperate to get the better of their play-off rivals here. Failure to do so will leave the Croatian manager looking nervously over his shoulder. Not just at the chasing pack with three points separating his team from 10th-placed Norwich. But also at his notoriously trigger-happy board of directors.

Blackburn either won or lost their first 27 league games this season. They have now recorded back-to-back draws. The latest a 0-0 stalemate with bottom side Wigan on Monday. A positive spin would be that Rovers are unbeaten in four games in all competitions. Keeping consecutive clean sheets.

As with the case with many Championship fixtures, both these sides have strong playoff aspirations. Expect a tight, feisty affair at Vicarage Road with both teams scratching around for form. Knowing every point could be crucial in such an incredibly tight division.

Watford vs Blackburn Best Bet

As we creep closer to the business end of the season card/booking markets will become ever increasingly of interest. Tight, tense and tetchy.

This clash is between two teams who rank second and third for matches with both sides picking up 20+ booking points. A yellow card equals 10 points and a red is 25. Nine of Watford’s 14 home games have seen 20+ each team land. The second-highest percentage (64%) in the league. Blackburn rank third highest in their away games for the same statistic. Nine of their 15 (60%) road trips have seen both teams accumulate at least 20 points.

Referee Jeremy Simpson averages 48 booking points per game from his 15 championship appearances this season. Handing out at least 20 to each team in eight including in five of his last seven.

Selection: 20+ booking points each team (TRACKED BET)
Best Odds: 1.80 (SkyBet)
Stakes: 5/10

Best odds available as at 01:30 February 10th 2023. Odds may now differ.

More Watford vs Blackburn Tips

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