football | Thursday, May 5, 2022 11:53 AM (Revised at: Saturday, May 7, 2022 1:10 AM)

Championship Best Bets: Saturday May 7th

Sam Ingram

We’re back with more Championship best bets for this, the final day of the season. All eyes lay at the door of Middlesbrough, Luton, and Sheffield United. Three sides still have an incentive to make the most of their final day of the season. Two points separate Boro and the pair residing in the playoffs, suggesting no one can afford to lose their remaining fixture.

Friday 8th May Championship Best Bets

Luton vs Reading: Luton Win and Over 1 Goal (1.80)
Sheffield United vs Fulham: Sheffield United Over 1 FH Corner and Over 2 SH Corners (2.50)
Preston vs Middlesbrough: Boro Win and Over 1 Goal (2.05)

Championship Treble Odds: 9.22

The odds above are via bet365 as of 09:00 5th May 2022. Odds may now differ.

The odds below are the best odds available as of 09:00 5th May 2022. Odds may now differ.

Luton vs Reading Best Bet

Sat, 7th May, 12:30 (UK time)

Out of the three fixtures in focus, it has to be said that the Hatters’ final match of the season looks most favourable on paper. On familiar turf and in front of home support in a local clash for bragging rights… What could go wrong?

Since the turn of the year, the Kenilworth faithful have witnessed seven wins, three draws and the solitary loss against QPR. That’s quite remarkable for a side many tipped to limp their way through the campaign.

A rampant Fulham ensured the Championship title on Tuesday evening at the hands of Luton. The 7-0 scoreline didn’t exactly flatter the Cottagers, with Nathan Jones likely praying that there will be no hangover come the final day. But, in fairness, Fulham have been a class above all season, and Tuesday was merely another instalment of their Premier League quality.

Nevertheless, Luton’s task now shifts to Reading. With the worries of being pulled into a relegation scrap now a distant memory for the Royals, the onus is very much on Luton to pull a result out of the bag.

In the hope that the January head-to-head plays out in the same fashion here, I’m putting my eggs into a similar basket. Luton to win and for two or more strikes in the game comes in at a respectable 1.86.

Nathan Jones’ men should have enough in their arsenal to pencil in two more playoff fixtures, at least.

Selection: Luton Win and Over 1 Goal
Best Odds: 1.80 (bet365)
Stakes: 10/10

Sheffield United vs Fulham Best Bet

Sat, 7th May, 12:30 (UK time)

By the time these two face off on Saturday, it will have been three and a half days since Craven Cottage was stormed by buoyant support. Undoubtedly, there would have been celebrations within the squad with the prospect of top-flight football looming.

Although expected and welcome after a gruelling successful Championship season, it does raise questions about Fulham’s shape coming into the game. The preparation for Sheffield United would have likely been very different compared to their previous 45 matches.

With Sheffield United desperate for a result to clinch a playoff spot, it would be no surprise to see them muster enough here with Fulham’s eye off the ball.

I expect the game to naturally take the shape we’d expect, with the Blades dominating early pressure, searching for a goal. However, if Sheffield United can’t force a lead, nerves will arrive, and Fulham may well find their feet.

At Bramall Lane this season, the hosts average 6.32 corners per90 – the fifth-highest in the division. Delving into that stat a little further to produce half averages, Sheffield United have delivered 2.68 before the break and 3.64 afterwards. The second half average stands as the most in the league when playing at home.

For Sheffield United to hit the proposed selection as the figures suggest they should, 2.50 feels generous. Moreover, when considering the need to attack and the importance of the game, it makes the price an appealing one.

Selection: Sheffield United Over 1 FH Corner and Over 2 SH Corners
Best Odds: 2.50 (bet365)
Stakes: 10/10

More Sheffield United vs Fulham Tips

Preston vs Middlesbrough Best Bet

Sat, 7th May, 12:30 (UK time)

Football isn’t always straightforward, but this is. Middlesbrough need to win. If they don’t, it’s another gruelling Championship season ahead when they arrive back at the Riverside In August.

Chris Wilder’s men only have themselves to blame for having the playoffs out of their hands. In April, a four-game period pitted them against Hull, Huddersfield, Bournemouth and Fulham, with only one point taken off of the Cherries.

Nevertheless, with a 1.78 points per90 average, Wilder’s Boro reign has outshone each of his previous clubs to date. Albeit from a much smaller sample size, it still highlights the impressive work he and his backroom staff have done in Middlesbrough.

Another fresh-faced Championship manager will shake Wilder’s hand before battle on Saturday. Ryan Lowe, who recently vacated Plymouth Argyle in League One, will oversee Boro’s final obstacle of the season. Preston hasn’t had much joy against playoff-chasing sides in recent weeks.

Fulham’s 3-1 Craven Cottage win, which should bring no shame, was followed by a 1-4 Blackburn Rovers win at Deepdale. I’m expecting more of the same, with one eye on the beach and the other attempting to keep a Boro outfit with something to play for at bay.

Middlesborough to win with more than one goal in the game is nicely priced at 2.10 and should provide an odds-against shot with every chance of landing.

Selection: Boro Win and Over 1 Goal
Best Odds: 2.05 (bet365)
Stakes: 10/10

More Preston vs Middlesbrough Tips

WHAT IS A CHAMPIONSHIP ACCA?

A Championship acca is an accumulator bet, a type of bet that consists of several selections across different matches that are combined together into one single bet. An acca usually consists of at least four selections but many more can be included. There will be odds for the single bet as a whole which is calculated by multiplying the odds of all of the selections. A Championship acca is one of the most popular ways to bet. This is the case because they can create potentially massive odds for a small stake. Many punters choose to create Championship accas which is what we have created here. If one of these selections loses then the Championship acca will lose. This type of bet needs every selection to win in order to succeed.

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