James Buttler looks ahead to the 11th round of Championship action on Wednesday evening and picks out the best bets, including a treble.
Middlesbrough v Sheffield United
Boro are in ninth after a disappointing home defeat to Bristol City on Saturday. That loss ended a run of just one defeat in their previous 11 homes league matches (W6, D4) and coach Michael Carrick will be demanding a return of fortress Riverside Stadium. The international break was sandwiched by that Bristol City result and a 2-1 away defeat at Watford where conceding two late goals proved costly. Prior to that they’d taken all three points at West Brom and home to Stoke.
Sheffield Utd are in fourth after their unbeaten start to the season was ended at Elland Road as Leeds ran out 2-0 winners. Chris Wilder’s Blades quickly chalked off their two-point deduction to put a promotion bid firmly on the table. Solid defensively, Leeds’ two goals on Friday took the tally conceded to five and backing the Blades and Unders had provided a good return until the last match, although it was still under 2.5 match goals.
Sheffield Utd haven’t scored in their last two away trips and Boro haven’t scored more than two at home this season. This is a battle between two good sides with realistic promotion aspirations who have both suffered recent setbacks, are defensively sound but not setting the world alight in attack. Under 2.5 match goals is 17/20.
Hull City v Burnley
Hull City have lost their last two matches, Burnley are unbeaten in seven, having won four in that run. Hull have lost two of their last three home matches, only beating relegation zoned Cardiff City. Burnley are unbeaten in three away, winning two, including the only team to go to Leeds and come away with three points.
The Clarets are confident, playing well and could easily secure their fifth-straight clean sheet at Hull on Wednesday. Let’s leave it at that. Second placed Burnley are flying, whereas 14th placed Hull are very much still at ground level – they didn’t even manage a shot on target in their 1-0 home defeat to Sunderland on Sunday. All of that makes the 13/8 on a Burnley win look very appetising indeed, and I’m taking a bite.
Millwall v Plymouth
Millwall came from a goal down to salvage a 1-1 draw with Derby County on Saturday, whereas Plymouth got battered 5-0 at struggling Cardiff City. Millwall have a run of home games and manager Neil Harris will be seeking a push up the division and the visit of Plymouth looks a great opportunity for them to notch three points.
Millwall have taken 10 points at The Den this season with wins over Sheffield Wednesday and Preston and a draw with Derby. The only teams that beat them in London were in-form Watford and Luton, who only triumphed by a one goal margin. Plymouth’s away record is dreadful. Wayne Rooney’s side have taken just one draw at QPR in five trips and that 1-1 was the only away match they’ve scored in.
I’m not sure that Millwall have the quality to go to town, but Plymouth are poor enough to contribute to their own down fall. So, rather than take Millwall to win at 7/10, I’ll put a bit more meat on the bone with Millwall and Over 2.5 match goals at 29/20.
James’ Championship Tips
Under 2.5 match goals in Boro v Sheff Utd at 17/20
Burnley to beat Hull City at 13/8
Millwall to win and Over 2.5 match goals at 29/20
The treble is worth 11/1.
Please gamble responsibly.