Championship Predictions > Feb 15th - 19th

[StevieDay1983]

[StevieDay1983]

Here are the odds and ratings for this week's matches in the Championship with a selection of midweek fixtures before a full weekend schedule. Tell us your predictions for these upcoming games! 

[StevieDay1983]

Cardiff vs Coventry

The Championship gives us a number of midweek games over the next couple of days. I'm going to turn my focus to Cardiff versus Coventry in a 7:45pm GMT kick-off from the Cardiff City Stadium. Even though these two sides are separated by a large number of points and places in the league table their performances are not too different coming into this highly anticipated clash.

Cardiff saw a 3-game winning streak halted in a 2-1 loss away to Millwall on the weekend. Head coach Steve Morison was left scratching his head as to how his team didn't come away from the Den with anything, especially after the stonewall penalty denied when centre back Jake Cooper blatantly handled the ball in the area. Morison has stated his team's confidence has not been hit by the loss and they head into this game full of optimism with the club now in 20th place and 12 points clear of the relegation zone. It might well be 9 losses from their last 12 home league games but they are coming into this match off the back of two home wins in a row and 3 from their last 4 in all competitions. Over 2.5 goals have been scored in 4 of the previous 6 home league games played by Cardiff.

Coventry were flirting with the prospect of a promotion fight earlier this season but a dodgy spell of form in the run-up to the Christmas period saw the Sky Blues drop off the pace. Mark Robins has seen his team pick up some wins in the New Year and it's helped keep the team in 12th position and just 5 points off the pace of the play-offs. The 3-2 win away to relegation battling Reading on the weekend once again showed the team's resolve and willingness to keep battling until the end. It's 2 wins from their last 3 league matches on the road. Over 2.5 goals have also been scored in 6 of the last 10 away games that Coventry have had. They do travel to Cardiff knowing they haven't won here since 2007 so that will be a monkey the players will want to get off their shoulder.

I am becoming more quietly optimistic as a Cardiff fan that Morison is turning us in the right direction. His work during the transfer window to bring in the loan signings he did as well as recalling players that had been sent out on loan has added much-needed strength and depth to our squad. Our performances in our two most recent home wins against Nottingham Forest and Peterborough have been breath-taking and if we put in a similar showing tonight then Coventry won't stand a chance. Consistency is still an issue though and if the crowd is flat in this awful weather then it might not give our players the boost that it has in the last two league games at home. I'm still willing to back us to get the win though.

Cardiff Draw No Bet @ 1.98 with SBK

Total Goals Scored Over 2.5 @ 2.32 with SBK

[DarrenTse]

Bournemouth AFC vs Nottingham Forest

Bournemouth AFC
Bournemouth will be looking for a repeat result of the 1-2 Championship success versus Blackpool. It’s not been often in recent times that Bournemouth have managed to hold out for a full 90 minutes. The reality is that Bournemouth have failed to prevent opponents from scoring in 5 of their previous 6 clashes, leaking 7 goals in the process.

Nottingham Forest
In their previous fixture, Nottingham Forest drew 2-2 in the Championship tie with Stoke City. In a total of 5 out of the previous 6 clashes involving Nottingham Forest, a minimum of three goals have been hit. The average goals scored per game during that spell is 3.33, with the average number of goals for Nottingham Forest being 2.33. We will find out whether or not that trend will be sustained into this next match.

Verdict:
In this match, Bournemouth will more than likely score at least once when they face Nottingham Forest, who will not find it easy to get a goal of their own. Our tip is for a controlled 2-0 winning margin for Bournemouth at the end of the 90 minutes.

Bournemouth AFC VS Nottingham Forest
Pick: 1

 

 

[malabgd]

Fulham vs Huddersfield

2022-02-19T13:30+01:00

 

Fulham

Doubtful: Kenny Tete (13/1 d)

Out (injuries/other): Terence Kongolo (0/0 d)

Suspended: -

 

Huddersfield

Doubtful: Levi Colwill (20/1 d)

Out (injuries/other): Pipa Ávila (5/0 d), Tino Anjorin (0/0 m), Ryan Schofield (2/0 g), Rolando Aarons (1/0 f), Alex Vallejo (5/1 m)

Suspended: -

 

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

 

Overall Stats
Fulham 16 home games	Huddersfield 16 away games

2.5	Goals scored per game	1.1
0.8	Goals conceded per game	1.1
38%	Clean sheets	31%
88%	Team scored	63%
63%	Team scored twice	25%
44%	Scored in both halves	13%
63%	Goal in both halves	25%

[DarrenTse]

 

Luton Town vs West Bromwich(WBA)

Luton Town
Luton Town will be hoping to bounce back here after a 3-0 Championship defeat last time out to Birmingham City. In their preceding six fixtures, Nathan Jones's Luton Town have found the net 8 times, with that being an average number of goals per match equal to 1.33.

West Bromwich(WBA)
In their previous fixture, West Bromwich Albion drew 0-0 in the Championship match with Blackburn Rovers. A tendency of at least one team not managing to score in games involving West Bromwich Albion has been fairly consistent in recent matches. Checking on their last 6 meetings shows that it’s occurred 6 times. In those clashes, their opponents have managed a goal tally of 7 while West Bromwich Albion have scored 3.

Verdict:
We’re of the opinion that West Bromwich Albion and Luton Town could well end up finding themselves level here, with both teams capable of netting. A close call, and we think a draw is quite likely. Our tip is therefore for a very even match with a 1-1 score at the end of this one.

Luton Town vs West Bromwich(WBA)
Pick: West Bromwich(WBA)+0.25

 

[StevieDay1983]

Cardiff vs Blackpool

The Championship is here for another weekend of relentless action and I'm going to take a quick look at Cardiff versus Blackpool in a 3pm GMT kick-off on Saturday afternoon from the Cardiff City Stadium. The home team are starting to put together a string of results that match the performances but how will they fair against a visiting side that have punched above their weight all season?

Cardiff come into this game on the back of 4 wins from their last 5 league games including 3 home victories in a row in the league. The Bluebirds are up to 19th place now and 14 points clear of the relegation zone. Steve Morison has divided fans' opinions with his brutally honest man management style but the proof is in the pudding with the results so there's no denying his controversial approach is working. Tightening the back-line up has been key for Morison with three clean sheets coming in the last 4 league matches. Moving Perry Ng into the back three and having Cody Drameh come in at right wing back has helped. The performances of Joel Bagan at left wing back have also been superb as of late with the youngster even grabbing 2 goals in his last 2 appearances. Scoring first has also been key for Cardiff with the team managing to do so in 5 of their last 7 matches.

Blackpool are starting to feel the impact of functioning on a smaller squad budget. The Seasiders are in 15th position having previously flirted with the prospect of the play-offs. Head coach Neil Critchley did some fantastic work in the transfer market in the summer but his team have been hit by central midfielder Ryan Wintle being recalled by his parent club Cardiff. Form had started to pick up again in the New Year after a dismal November and December but it's now just 1 win from their last 4 league games. Away form is a real issue for the club with the team having failed to win any of their last 7 away games across all competitions. The team have scored 1 goal in each of their last 3 matches on the road in all competitions. Both teams have also scored in 5 of their last 6 games.

I'm really pleased with how Cardiff are performing right now. It's clear that Morison isn't an overly likeable character. His public criticism of Isaak Davies and Max Watters has drawn severe criticism from sections of our fan base but you do get the feeling it's all for show and behind the scenes he is a manager that puts his arm around the youngsters. They wouldn't play so passionately for him if he didn't. Blackpool remain a dangerous side and under Critchley you feel they can progress with the right backing from the owners. I feel their away form is a sticking point though and with Cardiff doing so well at home recently it'll be a tough game for the visitors. The poor conditions could help turn the game into a turgid affair but I have to back a Cardiff win at home in their current form.

Cardiff to Win @ 2.06 with VBet

BTTS @ 2.00 with Coral