The third set of Sky Bet Championship matches in this week begins on Saturday when 10 of the 12 fixtures take place up and down the country on another day which is likely to be pivotal at both ends of the table.
As with the majority of Saturdays we have a televised game to get us up and running and then the other matches take place. All the usual means of keeping up with those games will be in place once again.
Saturday’s fixtures are as follows: (3pm unless stated; UK kick off in brackets)
Huddersfield Town v Sheffield United (12.30 – Sky Main Event & Sky Football)
Barnsley v Queens Park Rangers
Birmingham City v Luton Town
Blackpool v AFC Bournemouth
Hull City v Fulham
Middlesbrough v Derby County
Millwall v Cardiff City
Nottingham Forest v Stoke City
Peterborough United v Preston North End
Reading v Coventry City
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Big Matches
The televised action throws up a Yorkshire derby of sorts as promotion chasing Huddersfield Town host a Sheffield United side who harbour hopes of making it into the top six themselves after a real turnaround in their fortunes. Above those in the table Fulham will be looking to open up a nine point gap on AFC Bournemouth when they make the trip to take on Hull City. The Cherries will be looking to stay within six points of the Cottagers but they face the trickier test of the two on Saturday as they have to go to Blackpool.
Best of the Rest
There is a key encounter at the Riverside where Middlesbrough will be looking to push their way into the top six. They welcome a fired up Derby County to that part of the world in a match where there could be a bit of tension after a recent lawsuit was filed by Middlesbrough on their opponents. With Blackburn Rovers not in action until Monday night, QPR have the chance to move into third when they head to bottom side Barnsley while Nottingham Forest will be looking to preserve their spot in the top six when they take on Stoke City at the City Ground. Two sides looking to pick up valuable points at the bottom of the table are Peterborough United and Reading. They host Preston North End and Coventry City respectively.
Betting
It is now six defeats on the trot for Barnsley and seven in their last eight matches and having watched them on Tuesday evening I can see why. They play some nice football but there is little in the way of an end product to them and while they look good when they line up defensively they soon panic when the ball is in their box and neither of those are good things. I think everyone is waiting for another chance in manager and you would think that isn’t too far away.
It could happen after this match because they host a QPR side who are absolutely flying at the minute. They have won five of their last seven matches and have won their last four on the road. You could argue that wins over Derby County, Bristol City, Birmingham City and Coventry City are nothing special but they don’t exactly take on Barcelona here either. Rangers have scored six goals in the last week and look to be mounting their promotion charge at the right time. I expect that to continue with three more points against goal shy and win shy Barnsley.
Tips
Back QPR (-0.25AH) to beat Barnsley for a 3/10 stake at 1.85 with Bet365
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