Saturday Championship Tips: Hatters to ease past hapless Hull

Hull to fall short at Kenilworth Road

Luton 1.875/6 v Hull 4.77/2; The Draw 3.45

Only Bournemouth and West Brom have suffered fewer defeats than Luton this season. Nathan Jones’ troops have lost on just three occasions and become incredibly hard to beat. The Hatters have kept three clean sheets in their last four outings and although individual errors are still causing a few issues, very few sides are likely to leave Kenilworth Road with maximum points this season.

They weren’t at their best in midweek but Jones is unlikely to allow standards to drop anytime soon. Hull suffered a potentially damaging defeat against a fellow promoted side in midweek and the pressure is continuing to mount on Grant McCann. The Northern Irishman has won just three of his last 33 Championship games and has amassed a goal difference of -46 during that period. The visitors have failed to score in five consecutive away games and that barren run looks set to continue.

Recommended Bet: Back Luton to beat Hull @ 1.875/6

Swans to leave St Andrew’s with at least a point

Birmingham 2.568/5 v Swansea 3.211/5; The Draw 3.211/5

Lee Bowyer described Wednesday’s goalless draw with Huddersfield as something to build upon. Whilst some fans were delighted to see the Blues avoid any more costly defensive errors, the majority of supporters are understandably concerned about their team’s lack of cutting edge. Brum are averging just 0.77 goals per game and haven’t found the back of the net since September 15th. The West Midlands outfit struggled to keep hold of the ball in midfield in midweek and they cannot afford to make the same mistakes against in-form Swansea on Saturday afternoon.

Russell Martin’s men have won three of their last five and, although they are far stronger on their own patch, they head to Bordesley in confident mood. The visitors have kept five clean sheets in their last eight games and their ability to keep hold of the ball has enabled their defence to concentrate on playing out from the back. They’ve avoided defeat in three of their last five away games and they should get something from this one.

Recommended Bet: Back Swansea Draw No Bet (vs Birmingham) @ 2.1011/10

Home comforts for Rovers

Blackburn 1.9420/21 v Reading 4.1; The Draw 3.711/4

Despite sitting comfortably in mid-table, many Blackburn fans remain frustrated by their lack of consistency. The Lancashire side are particularly erratic on the road but they are usually fairly reliable on their own patch. The hosts have scored an average of 2.33 goals per game and they’ve also scored 2+ goals in five of their opening six matches at Ewood Park. Tony Mowbray was accused of playing for a point at Loftus Road in midweek, but he is far more likely to release the handbrake on Saturday afternoon.

Reading squandered a 2-0 lead to Blackpool in midweek and, although the Royals have been picking up results in recent weeks, they’ve been far from convincing. They were second best against both Cardiff and Barnsley, and they are beginning to look like a squad which has been stretched to its limit by countless injuries. They defended poorly on Wednesday evening and could struggle to keep the free-scoring hosts off the score-sheet here.

Recommended Bet: Back Over 1.5 Blackburn team goals (vs Reading) @ 1.9110/11

Cherries to win ugly at the Vitality

Bournemouth 1.75/7 v Huddersfield 5.95/1; The Draw 3.711/4

Bournemouth are sitting comfortably at the top of the Championship table and, although the season remains in its infancy, the Cherries look good value for their five point lead. Scott Parker’s men had to practice the dirtier side of the game in midweek as they edged past a stubborn Stoke outfit, and they are likely to find this contest a far simpler assignment. They’ve scored 2+ goals in each of opening six home games and, although they’ve kept just one clean sheet at this venue, they have more than enough firepower to counteract the occasional defensive lapse.

Huddersfield have yet to concede a goal in October and Carlos Corberan’s side have looked far sturdier in the last couple of weeks. Their away form is a complete mixed bag. They picked up an impressive point at Kenilworth Road earlier in the month, but the hosts may be a little too streetwise for the dogged Terriers.

Recommended Bet: Back Bournemouth to beat Huddersfield @ 1.75/7

Both teams to notch in fiery Lancashire derby

Blackpool 2.466/4 v Preston 3.259/4; The Draw 3.211/5

Blackpool have put an underwhelming start firmly behind them and Neil Critchley’s men come into this fixture sitting comfortably in mid-table. The Tangerines have a never-say-die attitude and battled back from 2-0 down in midweek to beat Reading in Berkshire. However, the Seasiders have conceded the opening goal in eight of their opening 13 games and they must learn to be quicker out of the blocks. The additions of Owen Dale and Sonny Carey have added some much-needed thrust in the final third and they’ve now scored six times in their last three Championship outings.

Preston ended their frustrating run of stalemates with a precious three points against Coventry on Wednesday evening. Although they were helped by the Sky Blues’ negative second half tactics, Emil Riis’ strike will give the Dane an long overdue confidence boost. BTTS has landed in five of PNE’s last seven outings and this should be a very watchable 90 minutes.

Recommended Bet: Back BTTS in Blackpool vs Preston @ 1.910/11

Stubborn Rams to frustrate home specialists

Coventry 1.758/11 v Derby 5.95/1; The Draw 3.711/4

Coventry boast a perfect home record coming into this tie, however, the Sky Blues’ recent away performances have been a little more concerning. Mark Robins’ curious substitutions at Deepdale were questioned by some fans, and some of the players looked a little jaded after the break. Very few fans would have envisaged seeing their side rack up six consecutive home wins. Finding a way to beat a spirited Derby outfit, however, may be a step too far.

The Rams have scored just twice on their travels so far this campaign but Wayne Rooney’s side have avoided defeat in three of their last five away trips. They managed to score twice in midweek and will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to five games on Saturday afternoon. The points may have to be shared in this tie.

Recommended Bet: Back Draw in Coventry vs Derby @ 3.711/4

Lions and Potters to exchange blows in Bermondsey

Millwall 2.68/5 v Stoke 2.942/1; The Draw 3.185/40

Some Millwall fans have questioned the passion of their players in recent weeks, but very few supporters can complain about Tuesday’s spirited 2-1 victory at Bramall Lane. Jake Cooper’s thunderous strike may claimed all three points but it was the performances of Dan Ballard and Bartosz Bialkowski which caught the eye. Prior to last Saturday’s defeat at home to Luton, Millwall’s form at the Den had been excellent and they should be able to build upon their midweek success.

The Potters are undoubtedly play-off contenders this season, but their iffy away form could count against them in their quest for a top six spot. Michael O’Neill’s side have won just one of their first six away games, and they’ve conceded eight in their last four. BTTS has also landed in four of their last five and the return of Tyrese Campbell is likely to give them additional impetus in the final third.

Recommended Bet: Back BTTS in Millwall vs Stoke @ 21/1

Entertaining clash in Cambridgeshire

Peterborough 3.211/5 v QPR 2.245/4; The Draw 3.65

Peterborough picked up a vital three points in midweek as they edged past Hull. Darren Ferguson was relieved to see his side put an end to their miserable away record and he will be pleased to see then finally convert their chances. Posh have been far better on their own patch and have scored nine times in their opening six matches here. Siriki Dembele will be key to their chances on Saturday afternoon and he will be looking to terrorise a QPR defence which has already been breached on 13 occasions on the road.

Only Fulham have netted more away goals than Mark Warburton’s side and the QPR should offer a constant threat throughout the 90 minutes. There have been 25 goals in QPR’s opening six away fixtures and we can expect another high-scoring affair this weekend.

Recommended Bet: Back Over 2.5 Goals in Peterborough vs QPR @ 1.875/6

Robins to breach Baggies back-line

West Brom 1.558/15 v Bristol City 7.413/2; The Draw 3.953/1

West Brom have lost two of their last three matches and although their promotion credentials remain relatively intact, this could prove to be a testing period for boss Valerien Ismael. Although the Baggies tend to be hard to breach, they’ve kept just two clean sheets in their last six matches, with the last of those coming against out-of-form Birmingham. The hosts have plenty of goals in their side and in Karlan Grant, they have a player who is guaranteed to get goals at this level.

Bristol City are the third highest away scorers in the division, and with both QPR and Luton having notched at this ground, they will fancy their chances of finding the back of the net. Nigel Pearson’s men cannot win at Ashton Gate but they are far more effective on the road and could give the WBA defence plenty of think about.

Recommended Bet: Back BTTS in West Brom vs Bristol City @ 2.111/10

You can follow Jack Critchley on Twitter @jcritch7