Good Friday is a big one in the Championship and we’ve got tips from Mark O’Haire and more for crunch matches at the top and bottom of the table…
“Backing Derby +2 handicap and Under 2.5 Goals gives us a 2.305/4 shot via the Bet Builder – this wager allows Fulham to win by exactly one goal, a draw or a Derby home success as long as the match produced a maximum of two goals and provides a nice boost on the advertised Under 2.5 Goals offering.”
A full programme of Championship fixtures awaits on Friday.
Luton 3.02/1 v Nottingham Forest 2.6213/8, the Draw 3.39/4
12:30
Live on Sky Sports Football
Both Luton and Nottingham Forest are involved in the battle for a top-six finish in the Championship, so there is plenty at stake in the televised early kick-off.
Mark O’Haire says: “Luton and Nottingham Forest have not been regular competitors in recent seasons but the Tricky Trees enjoy a slight W2-D2-L1 supremacy in five head-to-head meetings since 2008. The Hatters have returned W1-D2-L0 in the most recent three clashes against the Reds, whilst the earlier season contest at the City Ground ended in a goalless draw.
“Only two Championship teams boast a better points return than Luton since the start of December. The Hatters have claimed W12-D4-L5 in their last 21 Championship fixtures, whilst recording eight clean sheets along the way. However, Town have only W3-D7-L4 when facing off against top-nine opposition, with four 0-0 draws in that sequence.
“Nottingham Forest were bottom of the Championship when Steve Cooper took charge in September and the former England U17s boss has since overseen a significant upturn in fortunes. The Reds sit second based on points earned since Cooper’s arrival (W18-D9-L4), and head to Bedfordshire unbeaten in their last 10 (W7-D3-L0).”
Mark’s bet:
Back Nottingham Forest Double Chance and Under 3.5 Goals @ 1.758/11
Bournemouth 2.0811/10 v Middlesbrough 4.1, the Draw 3.45
15:00
Live on Sky Sports Football
Bournemouth are edging closer to Premier League promotion but face a tough task against high-flying Middlesbrough who play-off ambitions…
Mark O’Haire says: “Bournemouth and Middlesbrough have crossed swords nine times in league football since 1992 with all nine encounters arriving in the past 10 years. The Cherries have posted a positive W3-D4-L2 in those recent head-to-head meetings, a sample that includes a W3-D1-L0 return at Dean Court with Boro failing to score in each of those four trips to Dorset.
“Bournemouth enjoyed a club-record unbeaten start to the season of 15 games. They stuttered thereafter before finding a degree of consistency again from Christmas. Parker’s posse have pocketed W9-D3-L4 in their last 16 and are the division’s second-best performing home side (W11-D5-L3).
“Middlesbrough were 14th when Chris Wilder took charge in November but have enjoyed an eye-catching revival, collecting the sixth-most Championship points under the new regime (W12-D4-L7). However, the majority of Boro’s best work has been done on Teesside with the Reds picking up a W4-D3-L4 record when taking to the road under Wilder.”
Mark’s bet:
Huddersfield 2.021/1 v QPR 4.1, the Draw 3.55
17:30
Live on Sky Sports Main Event
Huddersfield hope to consolidate their position in the Championship’s top-six when they meet QPR in this televised tea-time clash.
Mark O’Haire says: “Huddersfield were the Championship’s form team going back to the beginning of December as the Terriers put together an exceptional 17-game unbeaten streak. Back-to-back losses halted progress but Town have bounced back by beating Hull and Luton, and have now lost just seven of their 37 showdowns against sides outside of the top-two.
“QPR are in their worst run of form this season. Hampered by injury, unavailability and with the play-offs now looking highly unlikely, Warburton’s position is being considered by the Rangers hierarchy. The visitors have lost on six of their last seven away days and failed to even score in four of those losses, whilst winning just twice since February.
“Huddersfield’s outings favour a low-scoring approach with Corberan’s side returning rock-solid defensive numbers. Only Sheffield United (17) have kept as many shutouts as the Terriers’ tally, suggesting Good Friday’s fixture could prove to be quite a tight affair, especially considering what’s at stake for the Terriers in the promotion picture.”
Mark’s bet:
Derby 6.411/2 v Fulham 1.664/6, the Draw 3.953/1
20:00
Live on Sky Sports Main Event
It could be a very good Friday for Fulham if they secure Premier League promotion with a victory against relegation-threatened Derby…
Mark O’Haire says: “Only three Championship clubs have seen fewer goals per-game on average this season than Derby. The Rams’ matches have produced a measly 2.12 goals per-game – unsurprisingly, 25 (61%) of County’s league outings have seen Under 2.5 Goals 1.85 backers collect with 12/20 (60%) of Pride Park fixtures featuring no more than two strikes.
“In contrast, Fulham’s fixtures have featured 3.23 goals per-game yet only 52% of their league dates have paid out for Over 2.5 Goals backers. So there’s enough reason to swerve the 1.855/6 available on three or more goals in Good Friday’s showdown, and instead focus on Derby keeping this contest competitive.
“Backing Derby +2 handicap and Under 2.5 Goals gives us a 2.30 shot via the Bet Builder – this wager allows Fulham to win by exactly one goal, a draw or a Derby home success as long as the match produced a maximum of two goals and provides a nice boost on the advertised Under 2.5 Goals offering. County are unlikely to go down without a fight.”
Mark’s bet:
Source: BetFair Tips
