Championship Predictions > Jan 28th - Feb 2nd

[StevieDay1983]

[StevieDay1983]

Check out the latest odds and ratings for the next round of Championship matches that stretch into next week. Take a look and give us your predictions. In the absence of Premier League games, I'll be looking to get more previews from this division done this weekend! Can't wait to have a pop at predicting the most unpredictable league in world football! 

[malabgd]

Huddersfield vs Stoke City

2022-01-28T20:45+01:00

 

Huddersfield

Doubtful: Duane Holmes (21/3 m, probably in)

Out (injuries/other): Levi Colwill (20/1 d), Ryan Schofield (2/0 g), Rolando Aarons (1/0 f), Alex Vallejo (5/1 m)

Suspended: -

 

Stoke City

Doubtful: Ben Wilmot (22/1 d, probably in), Sam Surridge (20/2 f, probably in), Jordan Thompson (10/0 m)

Out (injuries/other): Abdallah Sima (2/0 f), Joe Bursik (12/0 g), Harry Souttar (16/0 d), Romaine Sawyers (16/1 m)

Suspended: -

 

Daily updated injuries and suspensions information from more than 100 football leagues and competitions worldwide at: www.injuriesandsuspensions.com

 

Overall Stats
Huddersfield 13 home games	Stoke City 13 away games

1.5	Goals scored per game	1.0
1.2	Goals conceded per game	1.0
46%	Clean sheets	38%
85%	Team scored	69%
31%	Team scored twice	23%
31%	Scored in both halves	23%
69%	Goal in both halves	46%

[DarrenTse]

Fulham vs Blackpool

Fulham
Fulham beat Stoke City 3-2 last time out, which mark their fifth consecutive win across all venues. The Cottagers are currently top of the league with 57 points from 27 games. They have achieved 17W-6D-4L so far, with 73 goals while conceding just 25, which happens to be the best in the league. The team are one step closer to an immediate return to the Premier League.

Blackpool
After being pulled out of the FA Cup following a 2-1 loss to Hartlepool United earlier this month, they went on to beat Hull City and Millwall 1-0 in a row in their last two league games. The team currently 12th in the table with 36 points - eight points off the playoffs. There is still hope for the Seasiders to the top six.

Prediction
A week off at this stage of the season is ideal for Fulham and we hope to see the benefits at the weekend. Although Blackpool also enjoyed the rest, the home team should have enough strength to win in West London.


Pick: Fulham -1.5 in AH
 

[StevieDay1983]

Huddersfield vs Stoke

The Championship is our main focus this weekend with no Premier League matches due to their winter break. The first of the matches is coming up at 7:45pm GMT on Friday night when play-off chasing rivals Huddersfield and Stoke meet at the John Smith's Stadium. These two teams are experiencing contrasting periods of form but will we see the result follow the form book?

It seems a lifetime ago that Huddersfield were battling relegation and some fans were calling for head coach Carlos Corberan. The sensible ones believed in the process and their faith is now being rewarded with the club sitting in 6th place and 1 point inside the play-off positions. The Terriers are unbeaten in their last 8 league matches including winning 4 of their last 6 league games. Home record has been solid enough for Huddersfield this season with just 3 defeats coming from their 13 matches on home soil. This run has been particularly stable recently with the team losing just 1 of their last 9 league encounters.

Stoke have long flirted with the idea of the play-offs but have fallen just short with Michael O'Neill at the helm. The Potters are in 11th position and 6 points off the pace of the top six. Things had been looking a lot more promising before a recent downturn in form that saw the team win just 1 of their last 6 league games including losing 4 of their last 5 league matches. Stoke have actually been doing OK on the road still with 2 wins from their last 3 away league games. Scoring goals on their travels has certainly helped with the team hitting the net in 9 of their last 11 away league matches.

Head-to-head statistics show that Stoke have the psychological advantage heading into this game having lost just 1 of the last 10 meetings and going unbeaten in the previous 4 matches between these two sides. This fixture has enjoyed a lot of goals recently with 19 goals scored over the last 4 encounters. Both teams have also scored in all of Huddersfield's last 4 league matches so we can expect the same here with that track record. I think Huddersfield should be looking to win this and having scored 6 goals in their last 7 league games, Danny Ward is a dark horse shout for anytime scorer.

Huddersfield to Win @ 2.70 with Novibet

Anytime Scorer: Danny Ward @ 3.75 with Bet365

[StevieDay1983]

Barnsley vs Bournemouth

The Championship delivers a number of 3pm GMT kick-offs on Saturday afternoon with one of those being Barnsley versus Bournemouth at Oakwell. It's a battle between two sides that are fighting at opposite ends of the table but is this game as cut and dry as the league table suggests? Or is there any chance we could see an upset with the underdog home side getting a win?

Barnsley are enduring a tough season after the highs of the play-off adventure last season. The departure of Valerien Ismael has been one that has devastated the team but the fact he took talismanic central midfielder Alex Mowatt with him was just as critical. The Tykes are rock bottom of the second tier of English football and 8 points adrift of safety... which is an impressive feat given both Derby and Reading are above them after suffering points deduction penalties. The little known Iranian head coach Poya Asbaghi is the latest man charged with executing the Billy Beane-inspired Moneyball philosophy but it's failing badly at the moment. Barnsley are now without a victory in their last 11 competitive games losing 7 of those matches.

Bournemouth have long been considered as promotion contenders this season but Scott Parker's side have recently fallen at risk to ill discipline. The Cherries are in 3rd place and 3 points behind 2nd placed Blackburn but do boast a game in hand. The team possesses the second strongest away record in the division but have only won 2 of their last 10 league games. However, they have managed to pick up 2 wins from their last 3 away matches in all competitions. When Bournemouth win it's often by shutting the opposition out with 10 of their 14 league wins coming with clean sheets. They did defeat their opponents for this game by a 3-0 score when they met earlier in the season but have suffered defeat in their last two league games.

If Barnsley were ever going to feel they could catch this Bournemouth side on the hop this season then this period would probably be it. Unfortunately, this is an impotent Barnsley team that has only picked up 2 wins so far this season and appear destined to return to League One. Just 17 goals scored in 26 league games is awful for the division's bottom placed side and I think finishing in front of goal will separate these teams here with Bournemouth running out as comfortable winners.

Bournemouth to Win @ 1.71 with Mansionbet

Anytime Scorer: Dominic Solanke @ 2.40 with Betfair

[StevieDay1983]

Fulham vs Blackpool

The second 3pm GMT kick-off on Saturday afternoon in the Championship that I'm looking at is the clash between promotion-chasing Fulham and this season's surprise package Blackpool at Craven Cottage. This may well be a game between two sides possessing contrasting budgets but it was the northerners who claimed the win earlier in the season so the capital city hosts will be keen for revenge.

I'm not really sure what Fulham players received over Christmas but their form since returning has been nothing short of astonishing. Four wins on the bounce with an aggregate score of 22-6 is incredible and it's seen the Cottagers move 5 points clear at the top of the table with a goal difference of +48 having now bagged 73 goals in 27 league game. Credit where it is due to Mr Marco Silva and his coaching staff. Fulham have won a league high 8 home matches at half-time and full-time. The most frightening thing about this Fulham team is that the goals are coming from all over the pitch with the club boasting 15 different goal scorers this season with 10 of those scoring 2 or more this season.

Blackpool have won over a number of admirers after storming the Championship after their promotion from League One via the play-offs last season. Many, including myself, tipped them to struggle but head coach Neil Critchley has led them to 14th place so far but they were even tickling the play-off positions earlier in the campaign. Back-to-back clean sheet wins in the league have ended a poor run but it remains to be seen if those defensive displays are more permanent because leaking goals has been a big problem for the Seasiders this season. So, as you can imagine, Fulham's attacking prowess up against this flimsy Blackpool defence could get messy if the away side's back-line isn't on it.

It does feel like Fulham have taken off like the latest trending cryptocurrency heading to the moon. Their dominance and clinical finishing in games during 2022 have been outstanding and it's hard to see anyone catching them. Blackpool might've won the last encounter but I think Cardiff recalling influential central midfielder Ryan Wintle could cause them problems over this second half of the season. That could be evident here with Fulham looking decent money to get a convincing win.

Fulham HT/FT @ 1.92 with Sporting Index

Fulham -1 @ 1.91 with Novibet

[DarrenTse]

Cardiff City vs Nottingham Forest

Jan 30 2022, 12:00

Cardiff City
They lose to Bristol City at 2-3 in last game, which have been winless for seven matches. It is because they are weak in defensive, with 1.75 conceding goals in average of this season. Now they are the twentieth in the table of the League.

Nottingham Forest
Instead, they are in form, getting a four-match winning streak. In last game, they get a 3-0 clean sheet from Barnsley, which makes them in high morale. In addition, they are good at away games, with 77% unbeaten rate.

Verdict:
Cardiff City are in poor state while Nottingham Forest are in good condition. Although Cardiff City have home advantage and take the upper hand in past head to head clashes, they stand little chance to win.

Cardiff City vs Nottingham Forest
1X2 Pick: 2

[StevieDay1983]

Hull vs Swansea

The next 3pm GMT kick-off on Saturday in the Championship that I'm looking at is the game of Hull versus Swansea from the MKM Stadium. These two teams should realistically avoid relegation bar a severe drop in results but both will have ambitions of one day returning to the top flight of English football. The home side are under new ownership and with a new manager so how will they fare against the visitors?

Hull fans will be delighted to have seen the back of the controversial Allam family with new owner Acun Ilicali taking over at the top. However, the new man has already shaken things up by sacking manager Grant McCann despite the former Doncaster gaffer winning back-to-back matches with clean sheets against two promotion-chasing sides in Blackburn and Bournemouth. Those wins have lifted the club up to 19th in the table and 9 points clear of relegation. Ilicali has made the controversial appointment of former Rangers striker Shota Arveladze. It could be seen as a shrewd appointment with the Georgian manager boasting an average 51.45% win ratio but will his experience in Turkish, Israeli, and Uzbek football translate to the English leagues?

Swansea are finding it hard to build a run of wins together with the club experiencing just 1 win in their last 6 league games leaving the club down in 17th position. It is now 3 league games unbeaten for the club with two clean sheets during that spell and the supporters appear to still fully back what head coach Russell Martin is attempting to do at the club. The Swans are without a win in their last 3 league matches on the road and have failed to even score in 3 of their last 5 away league games. Their games generally haven't been filled with too many goals with less than 2.5 goals being scored in 6 of their last 8 league games.

This is one of those games that will be incredibly tough to call. Hull have that feel good factor now the Allams have departed but the new owner remains an enigmatic force. I'm interested to see how Arveladze adapts to the Championship. It's a good game for him to start off with because Swansea are still very cautious and learning their own way under Martin. I wouldn't be surprised by a draw but I also think Hull could sneak it if the crowd can provide a hostile atmosphere.

Hull Draw No Bet @ 2.00 with Coral

Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 1.71 with SBK

[StevieDay1983]

Luton vs Blackburn

Two teams that are undoubtedly exceeding expectations this season meet in a 3pm GMT kick-off on Saturday afternoon at Kenilworth Road in the Championship when mid-table Luton host promotion-chasing Blackburn. Both of these sides were tipped by the media to fall well below where they currently sit in the table in the pre-season predictions but both teams are punching above their weight. Can either team get a win to further boost their ambitions here?

Luton continue to operate on a limited budget with a relatively low average attendance and yet they still compete with most teams in the second tier of English football. Manager Nathan Jones deserves huge credit for the work he has done at the club but have they hit their ceiling without more investment? The Hatters are on a decent run of results right now having lost just 1 of their last 6 league games and winning 4 of those. It's a streak that has moved the club up to 11th position in the table and just 7 points off the play-off places. Home form has been particularly crucial with Luton winning each of their last 3 league games on home soil.

Blackburn have surprised everyone with how they have adapted to life after Adam Armstrong. I thought it could be a tough season for Tony Mowbray's men but they are currently sitting in 2nd place and 3 points inside the automatic promotion places. Ben Brereton-Diaz has stepped up as the man with the goals but this is a talented squad of players that is delivering across the pitch. Rovers have lost just 1 of their last 12 matches including 9 victories and 10 clean sheets being kept during that period. Three of those clean sheets have come in their last 4 league games. That has been critical and will be again for this game with Brereton-Diaz away on international duty with Chile.

It's very tough calling these Championship games and the bookies are also torn on a lot of these fixtures. Blackburn are in superb form right now but Luton have also started gaining some traction again. The home side are loving life on their own turf right now and I think Brereton-Diaz's absence is massive for Blackburn but their defence is stepping up to the task allowing other players to sneak in with the odd goal. I think Luton are a real threat for Blackburn here but I can see these sides playing out a draw.

Draw @ 3.30 with SBK

Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 1.67 with Boylesports

[StevieDay1983]

Middlesbrough vs Coventry

One game that could prove to be very fascinating in the 3pm GMT kick-offs on Saturday afternoon in the Championship is the match-up between play-off hopefuls Middlesbrough and Coventry at the Riverside Stadium. Both teams have been there or there abouts for a large part of this season but with the season entering the business-end of proceedings it's the results in matches like this that could be the difference between making the top six and missing out.

Middlesbrough are starting to benefit from the management of Chris Wilder. The Teesiders are up to 8th in the league table after a run of just 1 loss from their last 8 league matches with 6 of those matches producing victories. The team have conceded just 4 goals in that time as well. You have to say that they are building some dangerous momentum. Home form has been a particular stand out for the team with them winning their last 4 home league games. Boro will also be optimistic heading into this game having won 4 and drawn 2 of their last 6 home encounters with Coventry.

Coventry were flying high but form has faltered over the last couple of months. Mark Robins still deserves a lot of praise for keeping the team in the mix in 9th place but they are now 5 points adrift of the play-off places. It's just 2 wins from the last 9 league games in a run that stretches back to the start of November, 2021 but away form has remained solid for the Sky Blues. It's 5 league games on the road without a loss for Coventry but they have needed to rely on their renowned late goals to bail them out of situations. One daunting statistic is that Coventry haven't picked up a win at Middlesbrough since 6th February, 1993... and that was when Boro were still playing at Ayresome Park!

You do get the feeling that these two teams are on opposing trajectories. Middlesbrough might have suffered that narrow loss to Blackburn last time out but I think that's an anomaly. Their general form, particularly at home, is proving impressive and you compare that to a Coventry team who seem to be running out of steam a little bit. They are still picking up wins here and there but the consistency is falling away. I can see a Middlesbrough win here as the bet to pick.

Middlesbrough to Win @ 2.16 with SBK

Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 1.71 with Novibet

[StevieDay1983]

Millwall vs West Brom

If there is one game this weekend in the Championship where both teams could really do with the win then it's the 3pm GMT kick-off on Saturday afternoon between out-of-form sides Millwall and West Brom at the Den. Victories are currently tough to come across for both teams as their seasons start to come under threat of drifting away. A win here could spark a return to form but defeat could pile further pressure on both managers.

Millwall are undoubtedly a team that are currently content to consolidate in mid-table but with the team in 15th position right now having lost 5 of their last 7 league games including their last 3 league matches in a row you feel that there are thoughts of a potential relegation battle creeping into the minds of their players, staff, and fans. The Lions have become a tough side to beat under Gary Rowett and their 1-0 loss at home to an in-form Nottingham Forest in their last game here ended an unbeaten home run of 5 league games. It's 4 games lost in a row now if you include the 2-1 loss in the FA Cup 3rd Round to Crystal Palace so can Rowett flip the losing mentality around? Fewer than 2.5 goals have been scored in 8 of the last 12 league games Millwall have played in.

West Brom will know that time is running out to put an end to this woeful run of form they are experiencing. The Baggies have dropped down to 5th in the table and 7 points off the automatic promotion places having won just 1 of their last 7 games across all competitions. Head coach Valerien Ismael is under pressure to get the team back up to the Premier League but those hopes are fading with every passing dropped point. Scoring goals remains a problem for West Brom with the team only bagging 9 goals in their last 14 league outings. Daryl Dike and Andy Carroll have been drafted in from Orlando City and Reading respectively but they are hardly signings that get the heart racing. Less than 2.5 goals have been scored in 11 of the last 13 of West Brom's league games.

Well, I think we can agree that the total goals scored statistics for both of these sides recently makes for pretty deflating reading. I'm not really sure which team is better-placed to get the win here. We could see a draw simply because neither side has the capabilities to get the goals needed to win. I really wouldn't be surprised to see Millwall sneak this one because something isn't right with West Brom right now and you get the impression time at the club could be coming to an end for Ismael.

Millwall Draw No Bet @ 2.62 with Bet365

Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 1.60 with SBK

[StevieDay1983]

Preston vs Bristol City

OK, I'm not just saying this because I'm a Cardiff fan but one of the Championship games that won't be getting me overly excited this weekend is the 3pm GMT kick-off on Saturday between mid-table sides Preston and Bristol City at Deepdale. If we're being honest, it's unlikely either side is going up or going down this season and you get the impression both squads know it. Still, recent matches show there could be goals here.

Preston are set to remain in the Championship for another season of mid-table mediocrity. The Lilywhites are in 13th position and the play-offs seem too far out of reach minus a run of superb results whilst the relegation threat is slowly fading with each passing week. Manager Ryan Lowe will be focusing on building his squad to be ready for next season. Striker Cameron Archer has been loaned in from Aston Villa which is an intriguing arrival. Just 1 loss from the last 6 league games shows Lowe has turned them into a tough opponent already and they'll certainly be a team to keep an eye on next season. Preston games have generally been exciting affairs as of late with 8 of their last 11 league matches seeing both team score.

Bristol City continue to drift around the lower echelons of the mid-table area in the second tier of English football. Nigel Pearson is still dividing opinion at the club with the team down in 16th place but seemingly set to be safe for this season. A lack of consistency has blighted the Robins' season so far but their fans will have been pleased to see their games packed with goals and action. Both teams have scored in each of their last 7 league games but the defensive problem remains with the club possessing the third from worst defensive record in the division having conceded 49 goals in 28 league games. That's worse than my very own Cardiff and we're terrible on the defensive front! Pearson has looked to address that in the last few days with defender Timm Klose joining from Norwich but is one addition enough?

Right, so we could see the goals fly in here with both teams not exactly having the most stable of defensive lines. I'm not sure I can separate these teams too much but I feel Lowe is a cracking manager and he's already having an impact on Preston's performances. I'm not sure Pearson and Bristol City are a partnership that will work long-term but we shall see. I think this is Preston's to win here though with Bristol City only winning 1 of the last 17 meetings.

Preston to Win @ 2.02 with SBK

BTTS @ 1.95 with SportNation

[StevieDay1983]

QPR vs Reading

The final 3pm GMT kick-off in the Championship on Saturday is the meeting of promotion-chasing QPR and relegation battling Reading at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium. These two sides might well be facing two completely opposing challenges as the season enters its second half but this division has a funny habit of throwing form right out of the window. Will that be the case here?

QPR were a team I picked to watch this season and they are living up to my expectations. Mark Warburton has built a very competent squad there with the team currently sat in 4th place and just 4 points off the automatic promotion spots with a game in hand. The Hoops are unbeaten in their last 6 matches across all competitions and their 0-0 draw at home with Swansea in midweek was a feisty affair that showed the team can cope with the physical demands of this division. The team have lost just 3 of their 14 home league matches and they have conceded just 11 goals at home so far this campaign with only West Brom boasting a better home defensive record in the division.

Reading may well be a team I've poked a lot of fun at down the years but the situation is genuinely grim for them right now. Manager Veljko Paunovic started so well with the club narrowly missing out on the play-offs last season but the club have really dropped off the pace this season. The Royals are currently in 21st place and just 2 points above the relegation zone but the teams around do possess games in hand. It's now 7 league games without a win including losing their last 4 league matches in a row. The keeper issue concerns me for Reading with Rafael Cabral departing back to Brazil on a free to Cruzeiro but his replacement is the inexperienced Arsenal youth keeper Karl Jakob Hein. It could end in tears. There is hope in the fact that they are unbeaten in their last 6 meetings with QPR.

The last time these two clubs met this season was a 3-3 draw at Reading's stadium (I refuse to call it by its tacky sponsorship name!) where QPR required an injury-time equaliser to salvage a point. Who would have known back then that they would be worlds apart in the league table? QPR have to be backed to get the win here and it's getting to the stage where surely Paunovic hasn't got much time left to turn things around.

QPR to Win @ 1.70 with Betway

Anytime Scorer: Andre Gray @ 2.30 with Bet365

[yossa6133]

Nice write ups, agree with nearly all that, except I am going Luton to win. Blackburn have been worse than their results suggest lately, should have lost to Cardiff and Boro and somehow won both of them! Hopefully their luck runs out today and Luton are in good form themselves 17/11 looks a good price.

Also done an acca with Luton, Fulham, Bournemouth, QPR and Boro which came out at around 18/1. 

[StevieDay1983]

1 hour ago, yossa6133 said:

Nice write ups, agree with nearly all that, except I am going Luton to win. Blackburn have been worse than their results suggest lately, should have lost to Cardiff and Boro and somehow won both of them! Hopefully their luck runs out today and Luton are in good form themselves 17/11 looks a good price.

Also done an acca with Luton, Fulham, Bournemouth, QPR and Boro which came out at around 18/1. 

Best of luck with that acca mate. Decent calls. I was tempted by the Luton Draw No Bet but just think Blackburn are, like you said, somehow getting the results when they're below par and that's what good teams do.

[DrO]

Why is Fulham's match interrupted?

[StevieDay1983]

 

44 minutes ago, DrO said:

Why is Fulham's match interrupted?

Medical emergency in the stand apparently. People are saying this is happening more but it's not. It's just that now the games are stopped when it happens which never happened before.

[StevieDay1983]

Peterborough vs Sheffield United

The final game of Saturday in the Championship is the 5:30pm GMT kick-off between struggling Peterborough and an improving Sheffield United at the Weston Homes Stadium. Time is running out for the home team to drag themselves out of the relegation zone but with teams around them faltering can they pick up 3 points against an away side that are in fine fettle right now?

Peterborough have garnered a reputation for being a bit of a Championship and League One yo-yo club. Owner Darragh MacAnthony has once again put his faith in manager Darren Ferguson to keep his team up this season but with the club in 22nd place and 2 points adrift of safety, albeit with a game in hand, there is real danger they could go down. If it wasn't for Reading and Derby's points deductions then they'd already be 8 points adrift in the bottom three. The Posh have struggled for form over the last few months with just 1 win coming in their last 12 league matches. It is also just 1 win from their last 5 home league games. Defence still needs addressing for Peterborough with the team conceding a division-high 53 goals so far but have only failed to score in 2 of their last 8 home league games.

Sheffield United failed to shine under former head coach Slavisa Jokanovic and the appointment of Paul Heckingbottom as his replacement hardly sent the fans into rapture. However, the former Leeds and Barnsley gaffer has done well so far moving the club up to 12th in the table and just 9 points off the play-offs after a run of 1 loss in their last 8 league matches. The Blades have won 5 of those matches and kept 5 clean sheets during that run as well. Unfortunately, clean sheets on the road have been a bit of an issue with United only managing to earn just 2 clean sheets in their last 12 away matches. Heckingbottom is getting goals out of his players right across the pitch so that partly counters the defensive issues that have arisen.

In the current form both teams find themselves in, it's hard to look past a Sheffield United win. Peterborough don't appear to be learning or vastly changing anything from the previous times they've suffered relegation from the Championship. It's hard to find the confidence to back them to a win a game right now especially against a visiting team who are beginning to believe they can sneak into the play-offs.

Sheffield United to Win @ 1.98 with Novibet

BTTS @ 1.84 with SBK

[StevieDay1983]

Derby vs Birmingham

The Championship throws up a double bill on Sunday and the first of those games is the 1:30pm GMT kick-off between relegation-threatened Derby and a struggling Birmingham at Pride Park. A victory is desperately needed for these two clubs here with off-the-pitch concerns weighing them down. The win is arguably more important for the home team due to their points deduction but the away side are far from safe yet.

Derby come into this game off the back of two pieces of good news. The administrators at the club have been told by the Football League that they have an extra month to give proof that the club can keep going until the end of the season and head coach Wayne Rooney also officially rejected an offer to interview for the vacant Everton managerial position. The Rams are in 23rd place on just 14 points after suffering a 21 point deduction for financial issues. That means the team is 8 points clear of safety but they have won 4 of their last 6 league games. Unfortunately, defensive issues are holding the team back with the team conceding in 4 of their last 5 matches in all competitions.

Birmingham are once again in a troubling state. Rumours persist around the future of head coach Lee Bowyer with suggestions he is nearing the exit door after fractured relations with the owners. The Blues are down in 19th position but still 12 points clear of the relegation zone. It is just 1 win from their last 9 matches in all competitions. The team have also only picked up 3 wins from their 14 away league games so far this season. It hasn't helped that they have conceded 16 goals across their last 6 away matches and that includes a 0-0 draw against Coventry!

Both teams have scored in each of the last four meetings between these two clubs at this ground. Defensive frailties are plaguing both teams so I fully expect to see goals here today. Derby might be some way from safety but without the points deduction they would be sitting in 16th place and 3 points ahead of Birmingham. I think Derby will keep fighting and their players seem more up for the battle than the Birmingham players do right now.

Derby to Win @ 2.44 with SBK

BTTS @ 2.28 with SBK

[StevieDay1983]

Cardiff vs Nottingham Forest

The second game in the Championship double bill on Sunday afternoon is the 4pm GMT kick-off between relegation battling Cardiff and in-form Nottingham Forest at the Cardiff City Stadium. These two teams are experiencing contrasting periods of results right now with the home team looking down and the away side with their eyes firmly on smashing their way into the play-off places.

Cardiff continue to fight a tough battle against falling into the drop zone. The Bluebirds are in 20th place in the table and just 3 points above the relegation places but do boast two games in hand on the teams below them. Steve Morison is still trying to build the squad in his image. The results probably aren't a fair reflection of our improved performances and football aesthetics but a terrible defence is constantly costing us. The loan arrivals of Tommy Doyle from Manchester City, Cody Drameh from Leeds, Alfie Doughty from Stoke, and Jordan Hugill from Norwich have given us much-needed strength in numbers. The fact is that we are now without a win in 6 league games and even though the performances are improved we need to get that win on the board sooner rather than later. I fear unless Morison changes to back four we could suffer again. In the eyes of many fans, the more defenders we have on the pitch is simply increasing the chances of individual errors and sacrificing much-needed threat further upfield.

Nottingham Forest are thriving under head coach Steve Cooper. The former Swansea man has come in and won over the fans with his brutal honesty. The Tricky Trees are up to 8th in the table after their derby win over local rivals Derby and could move into the play-offs with a win here. Three wins on the bounce including two clean sheets in the league has helped to keep them on a positive footing and the 1-0 shock win over Arsenal in the FA Cup 3rd Round and gifted them a home tie in the FA Cup 4th Round versus Leicester. Away form has been delivering the wins for Forest with the team picking up 6 victories from their last 10 away league games. Forest will be quietly confident coming into this one having won the last two visits to Cardiff.

I'm a little bit anxious about this one. I think there's so much wrong with our team at the moment that Morison needs a complete reset. I think everyone appreciates what he is trying to do with the limited and resources he has but it feels like we need a total overhaul like when Dave Jones left. The back five is just causing us problems right now with most goals we concede coming from school boy defensive errors. I have a bad feeling that'll be the story for the season now because all of our defenders are guilty of it. I can see Forest winning this one. I hope I am wrong and the Cardiff fan in me does think we could sneak a draw but we'll see.

Nottingham Forest to Win @ 2.52 with SBK

Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 1.70 with SBK