Championship Best Bets

Preston are a shade of odds-on when they face Sunderland, and that simply doesn't reflect what we have seen so far this season. It's almost as if the bookies and the betting public are looking at this game based on their names and reputations......

Quite simply, Preston look a solid outfit this season and are producing the numbers to fully support their lofty fifth place in the division, and we truly don't think that's out of the ordinary for the way that Alex Neil has them playing. They host Simon Grayson's Sunderland, and he looks like he's on a mission to destroy the club and it would be no surprise to see them joining the list of big clubs to have tried out League One.

Preston's shot ration of 59% has resulting in an 11-4 Scored/Against record, while Sunderland have a ratio of 45% and are 10-19 Scored/Conceeded. Only Nottingham Forest have conceed more shots on target in the division, so it's little wonder they are struggling to keep them out of the net.

Preston are a strong bet at 5/6.

3pts Preston to beat Sunderland at 5/6 (General)

We've backed Cardiff quite a few times this season, and they are definitely our friends this campaign. They won at 15/8 at Sunderland last week for us, and are now top of the league.

Neil Warnock isn't a man who will let his side get complacent and we fully expect them to kick on given their excellent data this season and Derby could be another side who find them too committed and organised to handle.

With a mixed bag of results this season (wins against Preston and Hull but reversals to Barnsley and Bristol City), Derby are a little inconsistent, and they look nothing better than a mid-table outfir this season.

2pts Cardiff to beat Derby at Evens (General)

Nottingham Forest are struggling at both ends of the park this year, with Britt Assombalonga difficult to replace in terms of goals, and a defence that has allowed more shots against, and more shots on target against than any side in the division.

Sheffield United by contrast have adapted well following their promotion last season, winning seven from ten so far to sit 10th. While they have probably ridden their luck somewhat to reach those lofty heights, they are good enough to win the short trip to Nottingham Forest in this one, after three straight away wins including the confidence breeding Sheffield Derby.

Forest are on a run of six defeats in seven, with the only win coming against Sunderland (see above) and have now conceeded 12 in their last four outings.

1pt Sheffield United to beat Nottingham Forest at 9/5

Finally, an Under 2.5 Goals bet with our favourite side - Middlesbrough. They've delivered on this a number of times, and it can win again when a tactically astute Brentford come to town.

Brentford are definitely better than their results imply, and too many draws are the main reason for their trouble in the division so far.

Boro use their defence as their attack in general, and have already kept seven clean sheets this campaign. Eight of their 11 matches have gone Under 2.5 Goals, and Brentford can make that nine.

1pt Under 2.5 Goals at Middlesbrough v Brentford at Evens.

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