Midweek Championship Tips: Tykes and Robins to produce an entertaining 90 minutes

Improving Barnsley to find a way past the Robins

Barnsley 2.568/5 v Bristol City 3.185/40; The Draw 3.3512/5
Tuesday 19:45

Barnsley remain four points from safety, however, Reading’s recent struggles have given Tykes fans cause for optimism. The Oakwell faithful will have been pleased with their side’s performance against runaway leaders Fulham at the weekend, with the hosts almost matching their Premier League-bound opposition when it came to xG.

Poya Asbarghi has done a superb job and the January additions have added a much-needed sprinkling of class to the XI. However, the squad still looks a little threadbare and some fans have suggested that Asbarghi has struggled to utilise his bench due to the lack of quality options available.

Nevertheless, the Tykes are now unbeaten in four home games and have found the net on five occasions during that run. Carlton Morris has been a revelation since returning from injury and he has clearly benefited from the arrival of Domingos Quina and Amine Bassi.

Bristol City defied the odds and left Ewood Park with all three points at the weekend. Prior to Saturday, they hadn’t kept an away clean sheet for almost 12 months. That shutout was also recorded against Blackburn and it gives them something to build upon.

Dan Bentley’s heroics kept them in the match and they are unlikely to be able to keep a much-improved Barnsley off the scoresheet on Tuesday night. Bristol City have netted in seven of their last eight away games and should play their part in an entertaining contest at Oakwell.

Recommended Bet: Back BTTS in Barnsley vs Bristol City @ 2.1211/10

Blues and Boro to share the points

Birmingham 3.65 v Middlesbrough 2.265/4; The Draw 3.45
Tuesday 19:45

Birmingham’s home form has been relatively inconsistent this season. The Blues haven’t lost back-to-back games here all season, and they’ve clinched consecutive victories at this ground on just a single occasion. Lee Bowyer’s side have been heavily hindered by injuries, although they have been able to welcome back a number of players in recent weeks, including loanee Tahith Chong.

Having previous netted in ten consecutive matches at St. Andrews, the hosts have now failed to score in their last two outings here, and there’s no guarantee that they’ll be able to find a way past Boro’s rearguard on Tuesday night.

The visitors left Bermondsey with a point on Saturday and Chris Wilder will have been pleased to see his side end their run of consecutive defeats on the road. The Teessiders are yet to record a victory on their travels in 2022, however, that was their first away clean sheet since December 11th and can be viewed as a step in the right direction.

Middlesbrough require three points to reignite their play-off hopes, however, they may have to settle for yet another stalemate in the West Midlands.

Recommended Bet: Back Draw in Birmingham vs Bristol City @ 3.45

Another low-scoring 90 minutes at Ewood Park

Blackburn 1.865/6 v Derby 5.59/2; The Draw 3.412/5
Tuesday 19:45

Blackburn’s problems in front of goal continued at the weekend as they failed to score against one of the division’s leakiest back-lines. The hosts recorded an xG of 1.8, and are managing to carve out decent chances, however, they’ve completely lost confidence in their ability to stick the ball in the back of the net.

They’ve averaged 1.24 goals per game across the campaign, however, they’ve drawn a blank in eight of their last nine and are yet to score 2+ goals in a game in 2022.

Rovers’ issues in the final third will surely be good news for Derby, who are still in the hunt for survival. The Rams were beaten by Bournemouth at the weekend, although they should find this a significantly easier assignment. Wayne Rooney’s side have scored just 11 times on their travels this season and have drawn three consecutive blanks, so this is unlikely to be a classic.

Recommended Bet: Back Both Teams to Score? No in Blackburn vs Derby @ 1.768/11

Solanke on target for the Cherries

Bournemouth 1.384/11 v Reading 9.417/2; The Draw 5.49/2
Tuesday 19:45

Bournemouth put a below-par performance against Peterborough ten days ago, however, they got back to winning ways against Derby at the weekend. Having recorded an xG of 2.7, Scott Parker’s men were truly dominant throughout and they’ll be confident of following that victory up with yet another three points.

Paul Ince ripped into his side following their limp 4-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at the weekend. Without Lucas Joao and John Swift, the visitors looked bereft of ideas in the final third and they look set to struggle here. Reading’s defence also has the tendency to buckle under pressure and it’ll be a tough 90 minutes for the Berkshire side.

Dominic Solanke has 22 goals across all competitions this season and he is likely to be a thorn in the side of the visiting defence. His last four goals have all come at the Vitality and he also netted in the reverse fixture. The hosts are 1.384/11 to pick up all three points here, however, it may be a better option to back Solanke at 10/11 on the Sportsbook to score anytime.

Recommended Bet: Back Dominic Solanke Anytime Goalscorer in Bournemouth vs Reading @ 1.9110/11

Improving Baggies to test high-flying Cottagers

West Brom 3.814/5 v Fulham 2.1211/10; The Draw 3.711/4
Tuesday 20:00

West Brom rescued a point against Huddersfield on Friday night with the Baggies goalscoring woes now appearing to be a thing of a past. WBA have scored four times in their last two matches, matching the total for the previous eight games. Nevertheless, they still have problems at the back and are unlikely to keep Fulham off the scoresheet on Tuesday night.

The visitors dropped points against Barnsley at the weekend, however, they already have one foot in the top flight. They have found the back of the net in every away game since early September, however, they’ve failed to keep a clean sheet in three of their last five. Marco Silva’s men could be suceptible here and the much-improved Baggies should find a way through.

Recommended Bet: Back BTTS in West Brom vs Fulham @ 1.824/5

Seasiders to continue their fine run of form

Blackpool 3.814/5 v Sheffield United 2.1211/10; The Draw 3.711/4Wednesday 19:45

Blackpool have safely ensconced themselves in mid-table and the Seasiders have become extremely tough to beat, particularly at home. Neil Critchley’s side have conceded just 19 times at home so far and have secured back-to-back clean sheets in the Championship. Although the form of Josh Bowler has helped them going forward, the shot-stopping ability of Daniel Grimshaw has prevented them from dropping a number of points this season. The hosts have already beaten the Blades this campaign and may prove tricky opponents once again.

Paul Heckingbottom will be hoping that his side can get back to winning ways after being comprehensively outplayed by Coventry at the weekend. The South Yorkshire outfit aren’t as reliable on the their travels and have failed to score in two of their last three outings. They have plenty of firepower, but they could struggle to break down the Seasiders’ stubborn resistance.

Recommended Bet: Back Draw Blackpool Draw No Bet (vs Sheffield United) @ 2.68/5

Potters to slip up in South Wales

Cardiff 2.6213/8 v Stoke 32/1; The Draw 3.211/5
Wednesday 19:45

Steve Morison has completely transformed Cardiff and he’s prevented them from sleepwalking into a relegation battle. The Bluebirds are particularly strong on their own patch and have suffered just a single defeat in their last eight matches at this venue.

They’ve also been defensively robust and have kept four clean sheets in their last six outings here. Morison has a nice blend of youth and experience in the squad with the likes of Isaak Davies and Cody Drameh sitting alongside Championship veterans Aden Flint and Jordan Hugill.

Stoke just cannot seem to find any rhythm and the Potters dropped yet more points at the weekend. Michael O’Neill’s men have won just twice in 2022 and have failed to collect maximum points in each of their last seven. The Staffordshire side are competitive and their two most recent defeats on the road have been by a single goal. They could easily snatch a draw here, however, finding a way past Alex Smithies will be far from straighforward.

Recommended Bet: Back Cardiff to beat Stoke @ 2.6213/8

Sky Blues to edge past toothless Tigers

Coventry 1.684/6 v Hull 5.85/1; The Draw 3.8514/5
Wednesday 19:45

Coventry fans were delighted to see their side put in a top class performance against Sheffield United in midweek. The Sky Blues had been stumbling their way through 2022 prior to their dismantling of the Blades, however, the majority of supporters agreed that their recent displays had been hinting at a potential upturn in form.

Viktor Gyokeres was superb with the visiting defence struggling to contain the lively Swede, whereas Gustavo Hamer was a colossus in the centre of the park. Mark Robins’ side haven’t managed to win consecutive home matches since the beginning of October, however, this appears to be the perfect opportunity to go back-to-back at the CBS.

Hull picked up a point at St. Andrews at the weekend, however, Shota Arveladze’s men are still struggling to find the back of the net. They’ve failed to score in five of their last seven and with Coventry unlikely to draw a blank on Wednesday night, they could struggle to find a way back into the contest.

Recommended Bet: Back Coventry to beat Hull @ 2.6213/8

Hatters and PNE to play out a stalemate

Luton 2.427/5 v Preston 3.3512/5; The Draw 3.052/1
Wednesday 19:45

Luton were defeated by QPR at the weekend and Nathan Jones will be hoping that his side can reignite their play-off hopes on Wednesday evening. The Hatters haven’t suffered consecutive defeats since November and can usually be relied upon to overcome setbacks. They’ve won four of their last six, and managed to keep clean sheets in three of those victories. Jones’ side will be competitive throughout the 90 minutes and with just a single defeat here since November 27th, they should be able to avoid back-to-back losses at Kenilworth Road.

Preston were marginally the better side against Cardiff at the weekend, and they will have left Wales with an overwhelming feeling of disappointment. PNE have lost just three since the end of November and have conceded just once in their last six away games. Ryan Lowe’s men won’t be easy to break down and another draw appears to be the most likely outcome.

Recommended Bet: Back Draw in Luton vs Preston @ 3.052/1

Yet another draw for Rowett’s Lions

Millwall 2.56/4 v Huddersfield 3.412/5; The Draw 3.259/4
Wednesday 19:45

Millwall failed to register an effort on goal during last week’s goalless draw with Blackburn, however, they looked far more efficient against Middlesbrough at the weekend. The Lions are unbeaten in seven and although back-to-back stalemates have tempered enthusiasm for the play-offs, they could still make a late charge. They are incredibly tough to play against and have managed to keep clean sheets in seven of their last ten outings.

Huddersfield dropped points against West Brom on Friday evening and the Terriers will be aiming to get their automatic promotion ambitions back on track here. They are unbeaten since the end of November and although that unbelievable run of form is likely to end at some point, the West Yorkshire side may just be able to extend that sequence here.

Recommended Bet: Back Draw in Millwall vs Huddersfield @ 3.259/4

Warburton to struggle against former employers

Nottingham Forest 2.0421/20 v QPR 43/1; The Draw 3.613/5
Wednesday 19:45

Nottingham Forest eased past struggling Reading at the weekend and with a game in hand on the majority of their rivals, Steve Cooper’s men will be confident of returning to the top six. They possess a sensational home record and have suffered just a single defeat at the City Ground since late October. The hosts have also scored 2+ goals in seven of their last nine outings here and will be confident of picking up maximum points on Wednesday evening. Keinan Davies will be hoping to continue his excellent form and could prove to be too much of a handful for the QPR back-line.

The R’s got back to winning ways against Luton on Sunday and Mark Warburton will be hoping that his side can shake off their recent inconsistencies. They’ve won just two of their last eight matches and haven’t kept a clean sheet since the end of January. QPR could be buoyed by Sunday’s victory, however, this is an incredibly tough fixture for the West Londoners.

Recommended Bet: Back Nottingham Forest to beat QPR @ 2.0621/20

Improving Posh to nick at least a point

Peterborough 3.7511/4 v Swansea 2.1411/10; The Draw 3.55/2
Wednesday 19:45

Although it looks inevitable that Peterborough will be playing League One football next season, they are at least going down with a bit of a fight. Posh secured a point against Stoke at the weekend and were just minutes away from taking all three. Despite not winning since December 11th, they have managed to avoid defeat in their last two and Grant McCann has found a way to get Jonson Clarke-Harris scoring at this level.

Swansea had 74% possession against Blackpool at the weekend, however, they did very little with the ball and were unable to test the Seasiders back-line. Away from home, they’ve failed to score in five of their last six and have looked fairly toothless outside of South Wales. They may fall victim to a slowly improving Posh outfit.

Recommended Bet: Back Peterborough Draw No Bet (vs Swansea) @ 2.55