EFL Championship Gameweek Eleven Preview: Sheffield United Host Birmingham City, Norwich On the Road and Burnley Travel to Cardiff City
With another international break done and dusted, we can now all get back to what’s far more important, the club game. The EFL Championship has motored along thus far, and we are now well into the campaign with teams seeking to secure promotion to the Premier League promised land now very much aware of their capabilities.
Anyone who placed an EFL Championship outright bet before the season got underway now knows just how likely they are to secure a lucrative payout. Some big guns have gotten off to a decent start while others, such as Watford, have failed to impress.
Saturday 1st October 15:00
Blackpool vs Norwich City
With six wins and a draw from their past seven games, it’s fair to say that Dean Smith’s Canaries are in a good run of form, and they’ll look to continue that run as they take a trip to face a rejuvenated Blackpool side at Bloomfield Road.
A solid bet to pursue in this encounter involved backing Finnish forward Teemu Pukki, who has scored three in his last three games for Norwich City, scoring the first goal and the away side emerging victorious, and with Grosvenor Sports, you’ll get a very decent 27/5 on this double.
Cardiff City vs Burnley
Vincent Kompany arrived at Turf Moor with a fanfare, but the former Man City defender’s managerial reign has been a little bumpy thus far. Though the Clarets have only lost one of their first ten games of the season, they’ve also only won four. They are drawing far too many games, especially if they are hoping to finish in the top two spots to secure an automatic return to the Premier League.
They absolutely must look at a fixture such as this, away to a Cardiff City side that hasn’t started the season well and, as a result, fired manager Steve Morison. It’s a game that Burnley should be looking to win at a canter.
Here we’d suggest backing a sedate, at 14/5, bet on Burnley to win to nil with Grosvenor Sports; it’s a solid speculative bet that has every chance of success.
Sheffield United vs Birmingham City
Paul Heckingbottom’s side continues to sit atop of the EFL Championship table and is certainly looking like a side that can truly challenge for the title. The Blades are carrying on the marvellous end-of-season form from the last term, and the visit of Birmingham City to Bramall Lane shouldn’t hold any fears for Sheffield United.
In terms of the betting options, how about this treble from BoyleSports? Oli McBurnie to score. First, Sheffield United to win and not concede, all for a decent 13/2.
Sunday 2nd October 12:00
Stoke City vs Watford
It would be fair to say that Rob Edwards didn’t make a massive impact at Watford, and it cost him his job barely months into the post.
In comes former West Ham boss Slaven Bilic and while it’s true the Hornets lost a number of their star players over the summer, winning just three of their first ten games is very much below what the Vicarage Road side would have expected at this stage.
They take on Stoke City in the Sunday match-up, and it’s a game that could prove very problematic for the visitors though the arrival of a new manager is sure to result in the usual uptick in form, and Bilic is a great motivational figure that is sure to push Watford in the right direction.
Elsewhere Reading host Huddersfield and Paul Ince will hope to continue the club’s good early season form as they face the Terriers.
Struggling Coventry, who are without a win all season, host Middlesbrough and Mark Robins knows he must bring an end to their drought. It is worth noting that the Sky Blues have played three games less than most of their opponents.
Steve Bruce’s future at the Hawthorns is in doubt, and West Brom will need to overcome Swansea City at home in order to buy the experienced manager some time.
Newly promoted Sunderland may well have designs on back-to-back promotions, and they’ll fancy their chances at home to a Preston North End side that has struggled to convert draws into wins.
