Championship Predictions > Aug 5th - 8th

[StevieDay1983]

The second round of Championship fixtures are here with their odds. Take a look and tell us your bets for these matches. It was a fascinating opening weekend of games where we all learned a lot already. Keen to hear what you are all thinking for these ones. 

[malabgd]

Birmingham City vs Huddersfield

2022-08-05T20:45+02:00

 

Birmingham City

Doubtful: George Hall (0/0 m), Ryan Stirk (0/0 m)

Out (injuries/other): Nico Gordon (0/0 d), Gary Gardner (0/0 m), Harlee Dean (0/0 d), Krystian Bielik (0/0 m)

Suspended: -

 

Huddersfield

Doubtful:

Out (injuries/other): David Kasumu (1/0 m), Matty Pearson (0/0 d)

Suspended:

 

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

[StevieDay1983]

Reading vs Cardiff

The opening weekend of Championship did not disappoint and we are back again for the second round of games with the optimism that we will see another batch of terrific matches across all 12 fixtures this week. My preview this week focuses on Reading versus Cardiff as two of last season's relegation battlers go head-to-head after contrasting fortunes on the first weekend of games. It's a 3pm BST kick-off on Saturday afternoon from the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Reading are one of the teams I have tipped to struggle this season and I have to say that the 1-0 loss they suffered to Blackpool away in their first league game of the season did little to change my mind. An early opening goal by defender Callum Connolly was enough to separate the sides and even though the Royals put in a late flurry of pressure they never really looked like getting back into the game against an underwhelming Tangerines side. It was a game that saw head coach Paul Ince set his side up with a very negative 5-4-1 line-up and the early goal meant Ince's game plan was immediately thrown out of the window. Ince was quick to bemoan his team's lack of depth and warned that it could take a month or so for this current squad to gel. Ominous sides already for a club many are expecting could struggle to stay in the Championship this season.

Cardiff enjoyed a contrasting opening day with a pleasing 1-0 win at home against recently relegated Norwich. Steve Morison has spent the summer overhauling his squad on a very limited budget with the majority of signings coming in on free transfers. One of those signings being central midfielder Romaine Sawyers who scored the winning goal. It was a breath-taking display from the Bluebirds who are clearly still suffering from teething problems with this new passing style under Morison and a distinct lack of threat in the final third. The signing of Tottenham striker Kion Etete is hoped to address that to some extent and the loan signing of Jaden Philogene-Bidace will add further attacking flair to the side. Overall, the cohesion, work rate, composure, and spirit of the team was better than many of us Cardiff fans expected for the opening game. Yes, it wasn't a perfect display but it certainly boosted my hopes that maybe, just maybe, we could be dark horses for the play-offs this season.

I backed Cardiff to get the win last weekend and I'm going to put my faith in Morison's team once again here. I genuinely think Reading are in trouble this season and I think Ince could be one of the first managers to go in this division this season. He's already openly pointing out issues with his squad, he showed a very negative attitude with his tactics, and it feels like damage limitation already. Cardiff, on the other hand, appear full of self-belief, fight, and ambition. I'll be disappointed if Cardiff don't win this one and if we get clinical in the final third I could see us sticking 2 or 3 on the hosts if we get going. I will remain cautious in these early games though and back the draw no bet because the Championship is a cruel mistress at the best of times!

Cardiff Draw No Bet @ 2.07 with Unibet

Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 1.67 with SBK

[ALEXXXXXXXX]

Under (2/2.5)  @ 1.83

Birmingham did not have good results in the preseason, they had a tough travel match in Luton in the opening round, but played surprisingly well. They kickoff the season with just a point. However, after a well-defensive game against Luton, they will be full of confidence to enter this match.

Huddersfield are one of the low ranked teams in the Championship. They may face issues with avoiding relegation this season. In the opening round, Huddersfield at home soil lost 1-0 against Burnley. The had a bad performance as Burnley dominated from the start. They may find it hard finding the back of the net. Although they have won 6 of their past 10 away matches.

[dogmeister]

I think Sheffield Utd and Burnley are a fairly safe double this weekend.  Expect Blades to bounce back from losing away to Watford and Burnley impressed away to Huddersfield and should have too much for Luton at home. Double pays just a shade over 2-1

[yossa6133]

^^ Bit wary of Sheffield United, Ndiaye was their only bright spark against Watford.

I've done a single on Norwich, they were underwhelming against Cardiff but shouldn't have lost and this is easier against a promoted team (3/4 SBK).

[yossa6133]

Frustrating from Norwich, had most of the ball but struggled to break them down and create clear cut chances.

[StevieDay1983]

No idea what happened with Cardiff this week. All part of a new team gelling. Unsure how to deal with curveball situations. Curtis Nelson being an absolute calamity again didn't help. Felt if we'd have kept it at 1-0 we could've seen it out but that penalty gave Reading self-belief and our players lost their mojo after it. Fans a bit confused why Nelson got the nod over Denham and McGuinness when he can't pass the ball and our entire system is based around building from the back and maintaining possession under pressure. A lesson learned though.

[DarrenTse]

 

In the previous season, West Brom performed well at home, going 12W-8D-3L with an average of 1.43 goals scored per game. In their last five games including the preseason, West Brom are unbeaten. Only 15 points were earned by Watford as an away team the previous year. In six of the last eight meetings between these two teams, fewer than 2.5 goals have been scored.

Pick：Under (2/2.5)  

[silver fox]

W.B.A. v Watford

West Brom started the new season with a creditable 1-1 at Middlesbrough whilst Watford recorded a 1-0 win against Sheffield United and both sides will be looking to make a serious challenge for promotion to the Premier league. West Brom have been hard to beat at home since Steve Bruce took over in February losing just 2 of 9 in that time. Watford were relegated from the Premier League at the end of last season and will have to improve on their away form if they want a quick return winning only 2 of their last 14 away league games losing 9. Meetings between these two sides have generally been tight affairs with 5 of the last 10 being draws and that is what I am going for tonight. 

Edited August 8, 2022 by silver fox

[StevieDay1983]

4 hours ago, silver fox said:

W.B.A. v Watford

West Brom started the new season with a creditable 1-1 at Middlesbrough whilst Watford recorded a 1-0 win against Sheffield United and both sides will be looking to make a serious challenge for promotion to the Premier league. West Brom have been hard to beat at home since Steve Bruce took over in February losing just 2 of 9 in that time. Watford were relegated from the Premier League at the end of last season and will have to improve on their away form if they want a quick return winning only 2 of their last 14 away league games losing 9. Meetings between these two sides have generally been tight affairs with 5 of the last 10 being draws and that is what I am going for tonight. 

It's a difficult one to call tonight. I think I'm favouring the draw but I saw a lot of stuff I liked about Watford last week against Sheffield United, who showed this weekend that they are not far off last season's standards, so I wouldn't be surprised if the away team snatched a win.