Championship - 3rd - 4th August

[Aidymac]

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[TR] [TH=class: firstColumn]Saturday 3 August 2013[/TH] [TH]Home[/TH] [TH]Draw[/TH] [TH]Away[/TH] [TH=class: bppWidth]BPP[/TH] [/TR] [TR=class: row0, bgcolor: #F0F0F0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Burnley v Bolton Wanderers (12:15 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.75[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.55[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.87[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]99.32 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]AFC Bournemouth v Charlton Athletic (15:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.22[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.7[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.6[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]99.85 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0, bgcolor: #F0F0F0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Barnsley v Wigan Athletic (15:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.65[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.55[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]99.95 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Birmingham City v Watford (15:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.64[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.6[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.87[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]100.44 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0, bgcolor: #F0F0F0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Doncaster Rovers v Blackpool (15:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.52[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.55[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.95[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]101.75 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Leeds United v Brighton & Hove Albion (15:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.4[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.7[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.2[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]99.94 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0, bgcolor: #F0F0F0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Middlesbrough v Leicester City (15:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.87[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.55[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.76[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]99.18 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Millwall v Yeovil Town (15:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.04[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.65[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]4.2[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]100.23 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0, bgcolor: #F0F0F0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Nottingham Forest v Huddersfield Town (15:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.83[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.85[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]4.55[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]102.50 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row1] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Queens Park Rangers v Sheffield Wednesday (15:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]1.85[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.9[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]5[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]99.70 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR=class: row0, bgcolor: #F0F0F0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Reading v Ipswich Town (15:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.05[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.85[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]4[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]99.75 %[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [/TR] [TR] [TH] [/TH] [TH=class: firstColumn]Sunday 4 August 2013[/TH] [TH]Home[/TH] [TH]Draw[/TH] [TH]Away[/TH] [TH=class: bppWidth]BPP[/TH] [/TR] [TR=class: row0, bgcolor: #F0F0F0] [TD=align: center][/TD] [TD=class: firstColumn]Derby County v Blackburn Rovers (16:00 BST)[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]2.37[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.5[/TD] [TD=class: selectionBestOdd, align: center]3.4[/TD] [TD=class: bppWidth bpp, align: center]100.09 %[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

[mcarr88]

Re: Championship - 3rd - 4th August Always hard to predict the first games of the season. New teams raring to go along with very unpredictable results. I'll be taking a couple of punts this weekend: Millwall to beat Yeovil (2.00 @ PaddyPower) Millwall have made some good signings and is a tough place to go for most teams. New manager in charge also. Yeovil will no doubt be battling all season for survival, but I feel Millwall will give them a harsh introduction to life in the Championship. Bolton to beat Burnley (2.90 @ William Hill) Bolton had a brilliant run towards the end of 12-13 season and just missed out on the playoffs. Beckford brought in as a proven scorer at this level and have retained majority of key players. Burnley usually an average midtable side who could finish anywhere. If Bolton keep Austin quiet, I can see them taking all 3 points from this one.

[andypaps28]

Re: Championship - 3rd - 4th August I thought these OPTA stats may help Barnsley v Wigan Athletic

• This will be only the fifth time that Barnsley and Wigan Athletic have played each other in a league fixture, with the Tykes yet to defeat Wigan (D2 L2).
• Barnsley ended the 2012-13 Championship season with only two defeats in their final 12 games (W4 D6 L2).
• The Tykes have won their opening game of the league season on just one of their last seven attempts (W1 D2 L4), but this victory came in 2012-13 versus Middlesbrough at Oakwell.
• Only one of Wigan's last 10 fixtures on the opening weekend of the league season have seen them secure victory (W1 D2 L7).
• This will be the first game that Wigan have played in the second tier of English football since May 8^th2005; when they secured promotion to the Premier League with a 3-1 home win over Reading.
• Only Millwall (24) scored fewer goals at home in the 2012-13 Championship than Barnsley (26).
• Wigan conceded the first goal of the game on 25 occasions in the Premier League last season; more often than any other team.
• Only three teams (Leeds, Birmingham, and Burnley) drew fewer games nil-nil last season than Barnsley (2).
• Wigan's new signing Grant Holt scored 21 goals in 44 starts the last season he played in the Championship (2010/11)
• Last season, Barnsley conceded 26 goals from set pieces. No Championship side conceded more.

Birmingham City v Watford

• Watford won more points away from home than any other side in the Championship in 2012-13 (39).
• The Hornets have lost five of their last six competitive trips to St Andrews to face Birmingham City, but won 4-0 there on their last visit in 2012-13.
• The Blues haven't won an opening game of the season since 2008-09; losing two and drawing two of their four matches since.
• Watford have not lost an opening game of the season since 2006-07. They have won three and drawn three of their six matches since.
• Including playoff matches, Watford conceded more penalties (13) and were given more red cards (6) than any other team in the Championship in 2012-13.
• Birmingham were one of only three clubs to win fewer points at home (30) than away from home (31) in the Championship in 2012-13.
• The Blues netted just 46% of their total goal tally at home in the 2012-13 Championship; a lower proportion than any other side.
• New Watford signing Lewis McGugan chipped in with eight goals and three assists last season, with 50% of his goals coming from outside the box (4).
• Birmingham scored in each of their last 13 league games of the 2012/13 season.
• As well as scoring the most goals (85), Watford scored the highest amount of goals from open play (61).

Bournemouth v Charlton Athletic

• Bournemouth have not defeated Charlton Athletic in a competitive fixture since April 1975; losing four and drawing three of their seven meetings since.
• Charlton have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six competitive games against the Cherries.
• This will be the third time in the last four seasons that Charlton and Bournemouth have met one another in the opening game of the league season (2010-11, 2011-12 and 2013-14). The Addicks won the previous two of these without conceding a goal.
• Bournemouth have started their league season with a victory on only one of the last 13 campaigns; this coming in 2009 versus Bury (W1 D6 L6).
• The Addicks have won four and lost none (D2) of their six league games on the opening weekend since 2007-08.
• Eddie Howe's side were the highest scoring team in League One last season, netting 76 goals.
• Charlton won a higher proportion of their points away from home (55%) than any other side in the Championship in 2012-13.
• Bournemouth won 25 points out of a possible 30 at the back end of last season, more than any other side.
• If the Championship started in January 2013, the Addicks would've finished fourth in the table, accumulating 35 points from 21 games.
• Since re-joining Bournemouth as manager, Eddie Howe only lost three of a 18 home league fixtures (W13 D2).

Burnley v Bolton Wanderers

• The side playing at home have won the last four competitive meetings between Burnley and Bolton; with the away team winning just one of the last nine matches.
• Burnley have won four and drawn two of their last six home matches on the opening weekend of a league season.
• Bolton Wanderers have failed to score in three of their last four fixtures on the opening weekend of a league season.
• The Trotters attempted 10.4 shots per game on average in the Championship in 2012-13; more than any other side.
• Bolton lost more points from leading positions than any other side in the Championship in 2012-13 (34).
• Burnley netted a higher percentage of their goals from headers (34%) than any other side in the Championship in 2012-13.
• Burnley's striker Charlie Austin netted the most headed goals in the division (9) last season.
• Bolton scored more goals in the opening 15 minutes of Championship games last season (14) than any other side.
• Bolton's Chris Eagles attempted more shots than any other player in the Championship last season (112).
• In the Championship last season, Burnley conceded the joint-fewest amount goals from set pieces (15) along with Ipswich.

Derby County v Blackburn Rovers

• Blackburn Rovers have won four and lost none (D1) of their last five competitive games against Derby County.
• Jordan Rhodes scored in all three of his competitive appearances for Blackburn Rovers against Derby County in 2012-13.
• Rhodes scored 49% of Blackburn's goals in the Championship in 2012-13; a higher proportion than any other player for their side.
• Derby have lost their opening league game of the season in just one of their last eight campaigns (W3 D4 L1).
• Only relegated Bristol City (6) kept fewer clean sheets than Derby County (8) in the Championship last season.
• Only relegated Peterborough (13.6) faced more shots per game on average in the Championship in 2012-13 than Blackburn Rovers (12.1).
• Nigel Clough will have been in charge of Derby County for four years and 208 days on the date of this game; the current longest serving manager in the Championship.
• Rovers new boy DJ Campbell has scored 44 goals in his 133 matches in his Championship career.
• Last season, Blackburn had a shooting accuracy of 43.32%, the fourth lowest in the Championship.

Doncaster Rovers v Blackpool

• Blackpool have won each of their last three league games against Doncaster Rovers.
• Doncaster Rovers have not won any of their five league games at home against Blackpool since 2005-06; losing two and drawing three.
• The Tangerines have won and kept a clean sheet in their opening league match of the last three seasons; all three of which have been away from home.
• Eight of Doncaster's 12 defeats in League One last season came in home matches.
• Blackpool conceded the first goal of the game on 27 occasions in the 2012-13 Championship season; only relegated Bristol City could match this.
• However, no side won more points from losing positions than Blackpool in the Championship in 2012-13 (24).
• Blackpool scored more goals in the final 15 minutes of Championship games last season than any other side (22).
• Last season, Doncaster won 25 of the 27 matches in which they went ahead (D2); a league-high.
• Doncaster scored their highest proportion of goals in the final fifteen minutes of matches last season (29%).
• Without Thomas Ince's goals last season, the Tangerines would've been 13 points worse off and in 23rd position.

Leeds United v Brighton & Hove Albion

• Brighton have won their last two competitive trips to Elland Road, 2-1; with the winning goal coming in the 88th minute or later in both games.
• There were three red cards given in the last league meeting between these two teams in April 2013; more than in any other Championship game in 2012-13.
• Leeds have lost just two of their opening games to a league season since 1990-91 (W14 D7 L2).
• Brighton have won more Championship points in 2013 than any other side (41).
• No side lost fewer games than Brighton in the Championship last season (9); but the Seagulls drew more games than any other team (18).
• Leeds conceded a league-high 19 headed goals in the Championship in 2012-13.
• Tomasz Kuszczak managed to save a higher proportion of shots faced in the Championship last season (75.6%) than any other regular goalkeeper.
• Leeds summer signing Noel Hunt scored eight goals in 41 appearances the last time Reading were in the Championship (2011/12).
• Brighton created 170 chances in the Championship last season; the second highest in the division behind Hull 181.
• Leeds conceded 71% of their goals in the second half of matches last season; a league-high proportion.

Middlesbrough v Leicester City

• Leicester City are unbeaten in their last 10 competitive matches against Middlesbrough, but six of these games have ended in a draw.
• Middlesbrough have won their opening league game in just one of the last 12 seasons (W1 D5 L6).
• Leicester City have won four of their five opening day league games (L1) since 2008-09.
• Middlesbrough won just 12 points from their 21 Championship games from New Year's Day 2013; fewer than any other side.
• Boro' won 71% of their points at home in the 2012-13 Championship season; a higher proportion than any other side.
• In the 2012/13 season, the Foxes scored the 57 goals inside the penalty box; a joint-league-high alongside Cardiff City.
• In the 2012/13 Boro scored just two penalties; a joint-league-low alongside Hull, Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton and Millwall.
• Last season, Leicester attempted the second highest amount of shots in the Championship (470).
• Middlesbrough picked up just five points out of a possible 24 in the league at the end of last season.
• No side conceded fewer away goals in the Championship last season than Leicester City (25).

Millwall v Yeovil Town

• Millwall won a joint-league low tally of 28 points at home in the Championship in 2012-13.
• The Lions also scored only 24 goals at home last season in the Championship; fewer than any other side.
• Yeovil have only ever recorded one victory in their 12 competitive meetings with Millwall; this coming in April 2009 (all competitions).
• Millwall have won their opening game of the league season on just one occasion since 2004-05 (W1 D5 L3).
• The Lions won just one of their final nine Championship games in 2012-13 (W1 D3 L5).
• Just 19.6% of Millwall's goals in the Championship last season came from set-piece situations; a lower proportion than any other side.
• The Lions' Shane Lowry was given 13 yellow cards and one red card in the Championship last season; the worst record of any player.
• Only Swindon (72) and Bournemouth (76) scored more goals in League One last season than Yeovil (71).
• Yeovil scored more goals inside the box than any other side in League One last season (62).

Nottingham Forest v Huddersfield Town

• Both sides have scored in each of the last 12 fixtures between Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield Town.
• Nottingham Forest defeated Huddersfield Town 6-1 at the City Ground last season; their biggest home win in league competition since February 2006.
• Just one of Nottingham Forest's opening day league fixtures since 2003-04 have seen the Reds defeated (W4 D5 L1).
• However, in the last seven seasons, Nottingham Forest's opening league fixtures have seen just three goals scored in total, with four of these games ending 0-0.
• Huddersfield have lost their opening league game of the season on each of the last five seasons that they have been in the second tier of English football.
• No side won more points from losing positions than Nottingham Forest in the Championship in 2012-13 (24).
• Only Peterborough (75) and Bristol City (84) who were both relegated conceded more goals last season than The Terriers (73).
• Forest had a league-high proportion of goals conceded inside the box last season (88%).
• Last season, Huddersfield conceded 78% of their goals from open play, a league-high.
• Forest's new goalkeeper Dorus de Vries has kept 57 clean sheets in 142 games in the Championship, with a save percentage of 71.69%.

Queens Park Rangers v Sheffield Wednesday

• QPR are unbeaten in their last three competitive meetings with the Owls, winning two and drawing one.
• This is the 14th time in the last 18 seasons that QPR have opened their league campaign with a home match. Of the previous 13, they have lost just two (W7 D4).
• Sheffield Wednesday are unbeaten in their opening fixture of the last five league campaigns (W3 L2).
• The Owls committed 12.5 fouls per game on average in 2012-13; more than any other side in the Championship.
• QPR won just four games in the Premier League last season. Only Derby County (one in 2007-08) and Sunderland (three in 2005-06) have won fewer in a single Premier League campaign.
• QPR scored only 13 goals in their 19 Premier League home games in 2012-13; fewer than any other side.
• Last season in the Championship, the Owls had the highest percentage of goals scored by defenders (23%)
• QPR right back Danny Simpson has kept 22 clean sheets in 61 games in his career in the Championship.
• At the end of last season, Sheffield Wednesday won just one of their final five games (D2 L2).
• The R's only went ahead in 12 matches last season, winning just four of those matches; a league-low.

Reading v Ipswich Town

• Reading have won all four of their league meetings against Ipswich since September 2010, with both home games ended 1-0 to the Royals.
• The Royals have not won their opening league game of a season since 2006-07, drawing five and losing one of their six matches since.
• Ipswich have found the net in their opening game of the season in each of their last 11 campaigns (since 2002-03).
• After Mick McCarthy took charge of Ipswich Town on November 1st 2012, they managed 1.60 points per game, compared to their average of 0.54 per game in the first 13 games of 2012-13.
• No side won fewer points from losing positions in the Championship in 2012-13 than Ipswich Town (7).
• Reading's Jobi McAnuff attempted 43 shots (inc. blocked) in the Premier League without scoring in 2012-13; more than any other player.
• Reading striker Adam Le Fondre broke the Premier League record for the number of goals scored in a single season as a substitute in 2012-13 (8).
• 71% of Ipswich's league goals last season came at home; the joint-highest proportion alongside promoted Crystal Palace.
• In fact, Ipswich netted just 14 goals away from home in the Championship last term; five fewer than any other side.
• Royals new signing Royston Drenthe created 21 chances in 21 league appearances last time he played in England for Everton in 2011/12.

[waynecoyne]

Re: Championship - 3rd - 4th August Qpr have signed charlie austin who is likely to make his debut v sheffield wednesday on saturday. Wednesday have had an underwhelming pre season with milan mandaric looking for a buyer and keeping a tight hold on the purse strings. Only three players have been signed jeremy helan from man city who was on loan last year, jacques maghoma who is injured and a non match fit austrian centre forward nuhiu. Wednesday have been playing pre season with regular full backs buxton and reda johnson out injured. Right back deputy keiron lee is also out injured. Liam palmer a young midfielder and the uninspiring joe mattock have been playing right and left back respectively. If these 2 start on saturday i can see problems for the owls. I expect austin to make a scoring debut and qpr to win by around 3. Wednesdays best chance of a goal is michail antonio their main hope on whom they over relied last season. recommended bet buy qpr supremacy at 0.75 with spreadex

[willie82]

It interests me that charlton who should now be classed as an established championship team are 15/8 away at newly promoted bourmouth. I know bouemouth is a difficult place to go but its a big step up eve. With their money. Am I missing somthing

[Evertonboy]

Re: Championship - 3rd - 4th August Burnley v Bolton Bet; Buy Total Goals @ 2.55 (Sporting Index) Reasoning; Based on the last seasons stats I make the line more like 2.7. The previous 2 meetings in the last 5 years have both produced 2 goals, the league average over the same period is 2.6. Last season Burnleys home games only averaged 2.3 goals per game but I expect the majority of the goals to come from Bolton, whose away games averaged 3.2

[Jase82]

It interests me that charlton who should now be classed as an established championship team are 15/8 away at newly promoted bourmouth. I know bouemouth is a difficult place to go but its a big step up eve. With their money. Am I missing somthing

Charlton have only been in the league one season and don't look any better "on paper" than Bournemouth. If anything, bigger things are expected of Bournemouth than Charlton. So I'd say the odds reflect the home / away factor fairly. Maybe if you were pushed you'd say Charlton should be no more than 3.

[John Ball]

Re: Championship - 3rd - 4th August What does it mean when someone says "2 points?"

[aliando]

What does it mean when someone says "2 points?"

It's a way of defining the author's confidence. By following the poster, you can gauge their expectation with points normally out of 10. Some people will use monetary values but £20 to some may be loose change, to others it may be their bet of the year. Also, with readers coming from all over the world, £, $, € may not translate well. :ok

[John Ball]

Re: Championship - 3rd - 4th August

It's a way of defining the author's confidence. By following the poster, you can gauge their expectation with points normally out of 10. Some people will use monetary values but £20 to some may be loose change, to others it may be their bet of the year. Also, with readers coming from all over the world, £, $, € may not translate well. :ok

Much Obliged, thanks.

[Vilamoura04]

Re: Championship - 3rd - 4th August Burnley v Bolton I dont rate Sean Dyche as highly as others but he appears to be working with a thin squad anyway. The sale of top striker Austin and purchase of rated keeper Heaton suggests Burnley are going to be concede and score less goals than last season. Bolton struggled for goals last year and will need to come to terms with a change of attacking tactics having replaced target man Kevin Davies with pacey poacher Jermaine Beckford. I expect them to be successful in this, especially with Eagles in there, but it may take time. A local derby between two reasonably well match sides when you factor in Burnleys home advantage to the match up, lead me to expect goals will be at a premium. Bet: Under 2.5 goals at 1.81 (pinnaclesports) stake 2/10

[donstipsuk]

Re: Championship - 3rd - 4th August

I thought these OPTA stats may help Barnsley v Wigan Athletic

• This will be only the fifth time that Barnsley and Wigan Athletic have played each other in a league fixture, with the Tykes yet to defeat Wigan (D2 L2).
• Barnsley ended the 2012-13 Championship season with only two defeats in their final 12 games (W4 D6 L2).
• The Tykes have won their opening game of the league season on just one of their last seven attempts (W1 D2 L4), but this victory came in 2012-13 versus Middlesbrough at Oakwell.
• Only one of Wigan's last 10 fixtures on the opening weekend of the league season have seen them secure victory (W1 D2 L7).
• This will be the first game that Wigan have played in the second tier of English football since May 8^th2005; when they secured promotion to the Premier League with a 3-1 home win over Reading.
• Only Millwall (24) scored fewer goals at home in the 2012-13 Championship than Barnsley (26).
• Wigan conceded the first goal of the game on 25 occasions in the Premier League last season; more often than any other team.
• Only three teams (Leeds, Birmingham, and Burnley) drew fewer games nil-nil last season than Barnsley (2).
• Wigan's new signing Grant Holt scored 21 goals in 44 starts the last season he played in the Championship (2010/11)
• Last season, Barnsley conceded 26 goals from set pieces. No Championship side conceded more.

Birmingham City v Watford

• Watford won more points away from home than any other side in the Championship in 2012-13 (39).
• The Hornets have lost five of their last six competitive trips to St Andrews to face Birmingham City, but won 4-0 there on their last visit in 2012-13.
• The Blues haven't won an opening game of the season since 2008-09; losing two and drawing two of their four matches since.
• Watford have not lost an opening game of the season since 2006-07. They have won three and drawn three of their six matches since.
• Including playoff matches, Watford conceded more penalties (13) and were given more red cards (6) than any other team in the Championship in 2012-13.
• Birmingham were one of only three clubs to win fewer points at home (30) than away from home (31) in the Championship in 2012-13.
• The Blues netted just 46% of their total goal tally at home in the 2012-13 Championship; a lower proportion than any other side.
• New Watford signing Lewis McGugan chipped in with eight goals and three assists last season, with 50% of his goals coming from outside the box (4).
• Birmingham scored in each of their last 13 league games of the 2012/13 season.
• As well as scoring the most goals (85), Watford scored the highest amount of goals from open play (61).

Bournemouth v Charlton Athletic

• Bournemouth have not defeated Charlton Athletic in a competitive fixture since April 1975; losing four and drawing three of their seven meetings since.
• Charlton have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six competitive games against the Cherries.
• This will be the third time in the last four seasons that Charlton and Bournemouth have met one another in the opening game of the league season (2010-11, 2011-12 and 2013-14). The Addicks won the previous two of these without conceding a goal.
• Bournemouth have started their league season with a victory on only one of the last 13 campaigns; this coming in 2009 versus Bury (W1 D6 L6).
• The Addicks have won four and lost none (D2) of their six league games on the opening weekend since 2007-08.
• Eddie Howe's side were the highest scoring team in League One last season, netting 76 goals.
• Charlton won a higher proportion of their points away from home (55%) than any other side in the Championship in 2012-13.
• Bournemouth won 25 points out of a possible 30 at the back end of last season, more than any other side.
• If the Championship started in January 2013, the Addicks would've finished fourth in the table, accumulating 35 points from 21 games.
• Since re-joining Bournemouth as manager, Eddie Howe only lost three of a 18 home league fixtures (W13 D2).

Burnley v Bolton Wanderers

• The side playing at home have won the last four competitive meetings between Burnley and Bolton; with the away team winning just one of the last nine matches.
• Burnley have won four and drawn two of their last six home matches on the opening weekend of a league season.
• Bolton Wanderers have failed to score in three of their last four fixtures on the opening weekend of a league season.
• The Trotters attempted 10.4 shots per game on average in the Championship in 2012-13; more than any other side.
• Bolton lost more points from leading positions than any other side in the Championship in 2012-13 (34).
• Burnley netted a higher percentage of their goals from headers (34%) than any other side in the Championship in 2012-13.
• Burnley's striker Charlie Austin netted the most headed goals in the division (9) last season.
• Bolton scored more goals in the opening 15 minutes of Championship games last season (14) than any other side.
• Bolton's Chris Eagles attempted more shots than any other player in the Championship last season (112).
• In the Championship last season, Burnley conceded the joint-fewest amount goals from set pieces (15) along with Ipswich.

Derby County v Blackburn Rovers

• Blackburn Rovers have won four and lost none (D1) of their last five competitive games against Derby County.
• Jordan Rhodes scored in all three of his competitive appearances for Blackburn Rovers against Derby County in 2012-13.
• Rhodes scored 49% of Blackburn's goals in the Championship in 2012-13; a higher proportion than any other player for their side.
• Derby have lost their opening league game of the season in just one of their last eight campaigns (W3 D4 L1).
• Only relegated Bristol City (6) kept fewer clean sheets than Derby County (8) in the Championship last season.
• Only relegated Peterborough (13.6) faced more shots per game on average in the Championship in 2012-13 than Blackburn Rovers (12.1).
• Nigel Clough will have been in charge of Derby County for four years and 208 days on the date of this game; the current longest serving manager in the Championship.
• Rovers new boy DJ Campbell has scored 44 goals in his 133 matches in his Championship career.
• Last season, Blackburn had a shooting accuracy of 43.32%, the fourth lowest in the Championship.

Doncaster Rovers v Blackpool

• Blackpool have won each of their last three league games against Doncaster Rovers.
• Doncaster Rovers have not won any of their five league games at home against Blackpool since 2005-06; losing two and drawing three.
• The Tangerines have won and kept a clean sheet in their opening league match of the last three seasons; all three of which have been away from home.
• Eight of Doncaster's 12 defeats in League One last season came in home matches.
• Blackpool conceded the first goal of the game on 27 occasions in the 2012-13 Championship season; only relegated Bristol City could match this.
• However, no side won more points from losing positions than Blackpool in the Championship in 2012-13 (24).
• Blackpool scored more goals in the final 15 minutes of Championship games last season than any other side (22).
• Last season, Doncaster won 25 of the 27 matches in which they went ahead (D2); a league-high.
• Doncaster scored their highest proportion of goals in the final fifteen minutes of matches last season (29%).
• Without Thomas Ince's goals last season, the Tangerines would've been 13 points worse off and in 23rd position.

Leeds United v Brighton & Hove Albion

• Brighton have won their last two competitive trips to Elland Road, 2-1; with the winning goal coming in the 88th minute or later in both games.
• There were three red cards given in the last league meeting between these two teams in April 2013; more than in any other Championship game in 2012-13.
• Leeds have lost just two of their opening games to a league season since 1990-91 (W14 D7 L2).
• Brighton have won more Championship points in 2013 than any other side (41).
• No side lost fewer games than Brighton in the Championship last season (9); but the Seagulls drew more games than any other team (18).
• Leeds conceded a league-high 19 headed goals in the Championship in 2012-13.
• Tomasz Kuszczak managed to save a higher proportion of shots faced in the Championship last season (75.6%) than any other regular goalkeeper.
• Leeds summer signing Noel Hunt scored eight goals in 41 appearances the last time Reading were in the Championship (2011/12).
• Brighton created 170 chances in the Championship last season; the second highest in the division behind Hull 181.
• Leeds conceded 71% of their goals in the second half of matches last season; a league-high proportion.

Middlesbrough v Leicester City

• Leicester City are unbeaten in their last 10 competitive matches against Middlesbrough, but six of these games have ended in a draw.
• Middlesbrough have won their opening league game in just one of the last 12 seasons (W1 D5 L6).
• Leicester City have won four of their five opening day league games (L1) since 2008-09.
• Middlesbrough won just 12 points from their 21 Championship games from New Year's Day 2013; fewer than any other side.
• Boro' won 71% of their points at home in the 2012-13 Championship season; a higher proportion than any other side.
• In the 2012/13 season, the Foxes scored the 57 goals inside the penalty box; a joint-league-high alongside Cardiff City.
• In the 2012/13 Boro scored just two penalties; a joint-league-low alongside Hull, Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton and Millwall.
• Last season, Leicester attempted the second highest amount of shots in the Championship (470).
• Middlesbrough picked up just five points out of a possible 24 in the league at the end of last season.
• No side conceded fewer away goals in the Championship last season than Leicester City (25).

Millwall v Yeovil Town

• Millwall won a joint-league low tally of 28 points at home in the Championship in 2012-13.
• The Lions also scored only 24 goals at home last season in the Championship; fewer than any other side.
• Yeovil have only ever recorded one victory in their 12 competitive meetings with Millwall; this coming in April 2009 (all competitions).
• Millwall have won their opening game of the league season on just one occasion since 2004-05 (W1 D5 L3).
• The Lions won just one of their final nine Championship games in 2012-13 (W1 D3 L5).
• Just 19.6% of Millwall's goals in the Championship last season came from set-piece situations; a lower proportion than any other side.
• The Lions' Shane Lowry was given 13 yellow cards and one red card in the Championship last season; the worst record of any player.
• Only Swindon (72) and Bournemouth (76) scored more goals in League One last season than Yeovil (71).
• Yeovil scored more goals inside the box than any other side in League One last season (62).

Nottingham Forest v Huddersfield Town

• Both sides have scored in each of the last 12 fixtures between Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield Town.
• Nottingham Forest defeated Huddersfield Town 6-1 at the City Ground last season; their biggest home win in league competition since February 2006.
• Just one of Nottingham Forest's opening day league fixtures since 2003-04 have seen the Reds defeated (W4 D5 L1).
• However, in the last seven seasons, Nottingham Forest's opening league fixtures have seen just three goals scored in total, with four of these games ending 0-0.
• Huddersfield have lost their opening league game of the season on each of the last five seasons that they have been in the second tier of English football.
• No side won more points from losing positions than Nottingham Forest in the Championship in 2012-13 (24).
• Only Peterborough (75) and Bristol City (84) who were both relegated conceded more goals last season than The Terriers (73).
• Forest had a league-high proportion of goals conceded inside the box last season (88%).
• Last season, Huddersfield conceded 78% of their goals from open play, a league-high.
• Forest's new goalkeeper Dorus de Vries has kept 57 clean sheets in 142 games in the Championship, with a save percentage of 71.69%.

Queens Park Rangers v Sheffield Wednesday

• QPR are unbeaten in their last three competitive meetings with the Owls, winning two and drawing one.
• This is the 14th time in the last 18 seasons that QPR have opened their league campaign with a home match. Of the previous 13, they have lost just two (W7 D4).
• Sheffield Wednesday are unbeaten in their opening fixture of the last five league campaigns (W3 L2).
• The Owls committed 12.5 fouls per game on average in 2012-13; more than any other side in the Championship.
• QPR won just four games in the Premier League last season. Only Derby County (one in 2007-08) and Sunderland (three in 2005-06) have won fewer in a single Premier League campaign.
• QPR scored only 13 goals in their 19 Premier League home games in 2012-13; fewer than any other side.
• Last season in the Championship, the Owls had the highest percentage of goals scored by defenders (23%)
• QPR right back Danny Simpson has kept 22 clean sheets in 61 games in his career in the Championship.
• At the end of last season, Sheffield Wednesday won just one of their final five games (D2 L2).
• The R's only went ahead in 12 matches last season, winning just four of those matches; a league-low.

Reading v Ipswich Town

• Reading have won all four of their league meetings against Ipswich since September 2010, with both home games ended 1-0 to the Royals.
• The Royals have not won their opening league game of a season since 2006-07, drawing five and losing one of their six matches since.
• Ipswich have found the net in their opening game of the season in each of their last 11 campaigns (since 2002-03).
• After Mick McCarthy took charge of Ipswich Town on November 1st 2012, they managed 1.60 points per game, compared to their average of 0.54 per game in the first 13 games of 2012-13.
• No side won fewer points from losing positions in the Championship in 2012-13 than Ipswich Town (7).
• Reading's Jobi McAnuff attempted 43 shots (inc. blocked) in the Premier League without scoring in 2012-13; more than any other player.
• Reading striker Adam Le Fondre broke the Premier League record for the number of goals scored in a single season as a substitute in 2012-13 (8).
• 71% of Ipswich's league goals last season came at home; the joint-highest proportion alongside promoted Crystal Palace.
• In fact, Ipswich netted just 14 goals away from home in the Championship last term; five fewer than any other side.
• Royals new signing Royston Drenthe created 21 chances in 21 league appearances last time he played in England for Everton in 2011/12.

Great stuff that, where do find the opta stats? Often seen people refer to them but never worked my way around their site

[saimon76]

Re: Championship - 3rd - 4th August I know price is a little short, but Tomorrow with the start of another thrilling season, the bet i choose to do is an obvious one, but i have a particular love and feeling for this team, Notthingam Forrest 1 against Terriers, at 1,75. Stake at 7 and let's hope to start weel the season, i know it is a kind of russian roulette, Championship, first round etc..., but i like to get in the ring, goes as it goes....They have added strength and depth to the very good squad of last term, Hudders are no pushover, but they also have a couple of defensive issue, if i am not wrong and this convinced me of doing this. Home manager seems very convinced of the new season, so come one reds.

[Mogwai]

Re: Championship - 3rd - 4th August

I know price is a little short' date=' but Tomorrow with the start of another thrilling season, the bet i choose to do is an obvious one, but i have a particular love and feeling for this team, Notthingam Forrest 1 against Terriers, at 1,75. Stake at 7 and let's hope to start weel the season, i know it is a kind of russian roulette, Championship, first round etc..., but i like to get in the ring, goes as it goes....They have added strength and depth to the very good squad of last term, Hudders are no pushover, but they also have a couple of defensive issue, if i am not wrong and this convinced me of doing this. Home manager seems very convinced of the new season, so come one reds.[/quote'] amen brother! Just to add my own opinion as a Forest fan. We had a strong team last season and just missed out on play-offs (if only we'd not made the Mcleish mistake!) Anyway, we've added strength all over the pitch: GK ~ De Vries CB ~ Hobbs from Hull RB/LB ~ Lichaj from Villa (played 22 games in Premierships last season) RB ~ Reyes - from WBA (Established Chile international) Winger ~ Paterson from Walsall (Sought after talented youngster) Winger/Striker ~ Mackie from QPR Davies is a top manager in this league. We have added strength to an already strong squad. Forest could do with an out and out goalscorer, so despite a very creative midfield, they might struggle to put away as many as they should. But on paper, a strong squad. As a fan you always know when you're on an upward or downward curve and Forest are certainly on the up. Prediction: 2:0 Forest.

[kevshat]

Re: Championship - 3rd - 4th August TV preview: 4pts Bolton to beat Burnley (DNB) 20/21 BetVictor I’m not one to bet on the result of a derby usually but given that Burnley haven’t replaced Austin and not have too long to work out a plan without him I think Bolton are a good bet here. At this stage of the season it doesn’t always pay to be gung ho though so rather than steam into them winning I will take them on the draw no bet market to be on the safe side as I expect a typically tight game for a derby. Full preview here: http://www.punterslounge.com/burnley-vs-bolton-betting-bolton-can-edge-home-in-the-championship-opener

[saimon76]

Re: Championship - 3rd - 4th August Also wins of Millwall and Wigan at Oakwell attracts me, probably more the win at home of Millwall. Yeovil has 2 defender out, and will be replaced by bench players; Millwall has streghtened the squad with people with a lot of championsip experience In a combo with low stake i will put millwall 1, x2 of Wigan and 1x of Nottingham

[malabgd]

Re: Championship - 3rd - 4th August [h=5]Injuries & suspensions 03-08-2013[/h] [h=5]Nottingham F. v Huddersfield Nottingham F: - Huddersfield: Anthony Gerrard (last term 38/1 d), Calum Woods (27/0 d), Keith Southern (29/1 m), Anton Robinson (0/0 m)[/h]

[tadley]

Re: Championship - 3rd - 4th August Watford to beat Birmingham 6/4 Most Bookmakers Best away bet of the weekend for me is Watford at 6/4. Watford were superb away from home last season; winning 12 games. Although there have been changes to the squad it’s a fair assumption that they will continue playing the same style of football. Watford look just as good if not better than last year and will almost certainly be challenging for promotion. Bycontrast Birmingham look like a team on the slide. Many players have leftleaving a very average looking team that are more likely to fighting offrelegation than promotion. I can see Watford comfortably picking off theBirmingham defence and this should be a straightforward win so I’m more thanhappy to take the 6/4.

[aliando]

Middlesbrough - Leicester Similar as others have said, opening day, so minimal stakes with hopeful, slightky loose reasoning. Both teams capable of scoring but neither defences looked solid last season. Both teams will believe that they can at least reach the play offs, so will hopefully be ready for the off. Both teams to score currently 1.87 on betfair, surprised me as higher than some of the other games I looked at. :hope

[Fader]

Re: Championship - 3rd - 4th August 2pts Wigan to beat Barnsley 2.30 Bet365 1pt Wigan/Nottingham Forest/QPR 7.50 Bet365 Wigan probably have a stronger team then last season. They have brought in Grant Holt who had 21 goals in this league for Norwich and I think he is going to be flying this season. I see them winning today and setting a good start to winning the Championship. I'm also going for a 1pt treble. QPR should win today. Even with their costly reserves they should have too much and they have goalscorers in that team and Forest at home should be too much for Huddersfield.

[wisey10]

Re: Championship - 3rd - 4th August Bournemouth v Charlton +0.25 @ 2.00 Bet365 (3 Points) Bournemouth had a fantastic season under Howe last year and as such they are being given plenty of respect in the championship. Charlton looked very ropey at times last season but they did start to put together some decent form at the end of the campaign. I was initially worrying about how light they looked up front but with the signings of Sordell and Church they now suddenly look a decent prospect. Ultimately it is too early to see how Bournemuth will do this season and in turn I think they probably look a bit short in their first match in the championship.

[wisey10]

Re: Championship - 3rd - 4th August Middlesbrough + 0 (AH) v Leicester @ 2.025 Bet 365 (3 Points) im still not fully convinced by Leicester and I can't be making them favourites away at Boro n the first game of the season. After a good start last season, Boro fell to pieces and I think they will have been glad of the break and the chance to regroup in pre season. With the home advantage and a fresh start, the value looks on the home side here.

[wisey10]

Re: Championship - 3rd - 4th August Doncaster DNB v Blackpool @ 1.80 Ladbrokes This seems a decent enough price on Donny v an unfancied Blackpool side. I don't rate Ince as a manager and with the lack of finances he really does have a tough job here. The best news of their season is that Tom Ince looks to be staying. But having played in the under 21's tournament pre season you have to wonder how fresh he is going to be. Matt Phillips is also ruled out injured from this match. When you compare the price of Bournemouth v Charlton to that of Doncaster in this match, I just don't see that there should be such a difference. Ince hasn't had much time to mould his new players and side together where as Donny should come in with confidence with a well tuned system already in place. As such I will be siding with the home side.

[aliando]

Doncaster DNB v Blackpool @ 1.80 Ladbrokes This seems a decent enough price on Donny v an unfancied Blackpool side. I don't rate Ince as a manager and with the lack of finances he really does have a tough job here. The best news of their season is that Tom Ince looks to be staying. But having played in the under 21's tournament pre season you have to wonder how fresh he is going to be. Matt Phillips is also ruled out injured from this match. When you compare the price of Bournemouth v Charlton to that of Doncaster in this match, I just don't see that there should be such a difference. Ince hasn't had much time to mould his new players and side together where as Donny should come in with confidence with a well tuned system already in place. As such I will be siding with the home side.

That looks a good call and I agree about Ince not being good enough. Seems a high price for dnb to me as I'd put the straight win around evens.

[harry_rag]

Re: Championship - 3rd - 4th August

Burnley v Bolton Bet; Buy Total Goals @ 2.55 (Sporting Index) Reasoning; Based on the last seasons stats I make the line more like 2.7. The previous 2 meetings in the last 5 years have both produced 2 goals, the league average over the same period is 2.6. Last season Burnleys home games only averaged 2.3 goals per game but I expect the majority of the goals to come from Bolton, whose away games averaged 3.2

You've sold me on the notion of a goals bet in this game but I've taken the more conservative option of >3.5 at 3.95 (matching the best bookies price of 3.8 after commission). I think I'd have plumped for a buy of the match goal rush at 32 if I'd gone for a spread bet. Matches or beats a buy of total goals if 4 or more but is a worse option if 3 or less. Another bet that looks good value based on your assessment (and fair at worst) is the 7/4 available for Bolton to score >1.5 goals, but I'll stick with the one bet.

[gogoto]

Re: Championship - 3rd - 4th August I noticed an interesting statistic over the first 10 rounds last season. There is a clear predominance of home victories for the first 5 rounds (only 1 or 2 away wins) - but suddenly it turns and the following rounds has the emphasis on away victories. The difference is statistically significant. A coincidence? Probably. But has anyone a plausible explanation? 1 7 3 2 2 8 2 2 3 8 3 1 4 9 2 1 5 8 2 2 ----------- 6 5 1 6 7 3 1 8 8 2 3 7 9 1 6 5 10 4 1 7

[harry_rag]

Re: Championship - 3rd - 4th August Barnsley v Wigan: Lads have pushed Grant Holt out to 10/1 to be first goalscorer (double odds basically). Best price 11/2 elsewhere. Each way terms are 1/3 the odds for the 1st 5 goals. Wigan are 5/4 favourites to win the match and I think that price is well worth taking about a player who scored 8 in 28 EPL games last season.

[Evertonboy]

Re: Championship - 3rd - 4th August

Burnley v Bolton Bet; Buy Total Goals @ 2.55 (Sporting Index) Reasoning; Based on the last seasons stats I make the line more like 2.7. The previous 2 meetings in the last 5 years have both produced 2 goals, the league average over the same period is 2.6. Last season Burnleys home games only averaged 2.3 goals per game but I expect the majority of the goals to come from Bolton, whose away games averaged 3.2

After two first half goals I'm disappointed not be collecting of this.

[wisey10]

Re: Championship - 3rd - 4th August Dear oh dear, shocking start for me with 3 losers from 3. All with draw cover too! Well done to all winners, especially Fedar with the nice multiple.

[Fader]

Re: Championship - 3rd - 4th August

2pts Wigan to beat Barnsley 2.30 Bet365 1pt Wigan/Nottingham Forest/QPR 7.50 Bet365 Wigan probably have a stronger team then last season. They have brought in Grant Holt who had 21 goals in this league for Norwich and I think he is going to be flying this season. I see them winning today and setting a good start to winning the Championship. I'm also going for a 1pt treble. QPR should win today. Even with their costly reserves they should have too much and they have goalscorers in that team and Forest at home should be too much for Huddersfield.

good start to the new season