James Buttler looks ahead to Saturday's Championship action and picks out the best bets with a double.
Portsmouth v Burnley
Burnley take their 16-match unbeaten Championship run to Portsmouth after being held to a 0-0 draw at Turf Moor by Championship leaders Leeds United on Monday evening. The Clarets are in third and only three points adrift of a tight top of the table
Portsmouth sit in 21st place and are only two points above the relegation zone after a 1-0 defeat at home to Millwall last time out. There is no doubt that Burnley are the better of the two sides and they won the reverse fixture 2-1 at Turf Moor in September.
I’m tempted to look at 10-goal Josh Lang to score in a Portsmouth defeat, but Burnley’s defence is so rock solid it’s difficult to see Pompey notching.
Burnley to win at 5/6 with William Hill is certainly not the worst bet in the world. Why not back a side that is unbeaten in 16 matches and hasn’t lost away from home in eight trips – a run that goes back to November. But let’s not forget that Burnley haven’t conceded a single goal in their last seven league matches, so Burnley to win ‘to nil’ is far more appealing at 19/10 with William Hill.
Derby County v Sheffield United
This match pits a side in second place and gunning for automatic promotion travelling to play a team that has lost six straight league matches.
Derby have scored only three goals in that run of losses and bagged none at home in their last three at Pride Park.
The Blades arrive off the back of a highly unexpected 3-0 loss at home to Hull City, but Chris Wilder’s team are highly unlikely to repeat such a disappointing display. That defeat though may have given a slightly fatter price on their success this weekend.
To me, this is not a rocket science tip. Back the proven winners against a team struggling to get points on the board. And, at 6/5 to win with William Hill, Sheffield United have to be the pick at a very decent price, either for a single bet or for an accumulator.
James’ Championship Double
If you put a Burnley win ‘to nil’ alongside a Sheffield United win, this week’s Saturday double comes to 5.38/1.