Championship Best Bets

Two in-form sides meet at Hillsborough as Sheffield Wednesday (unbeaten in 11 since Steve Bruce took charge) face Aston Villa (five consecutive wins). It's a massive game in every context - with Villa desperate to sneak into the play-offs and Sheffield Wednesday not quite ready to give up their claims yet either - especially given their season was effectively over two months ago before Bruce arrived with his magic dust to sprinkle around the place.

Wednesday have been chalked up at 9/4 in this one, which has to look generous given Villa are reporting that 1st choice keeper Orjan Nyland (23 apps) and defenders James Chester (28 apps/5 goals), Tommy Elphick (10/0) and Alan Hutton (32/2) are all out.

2pts Sheff Wed to beat Aston Villa at 9/4 (Bet365, BetVictor)

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Yours truly is an Ipswich Town fan. I've been writing this Championship column all season without once tipping the Tractor Boys (often opposing them of course) and a good thing too that has been. They are a club on a real slide right now and it's hard to predict when the rot might end. (Clue: They are highly unlikely to be among our League One fanices for next season unless something changes dramatically soon).

But...... they go to Bolton today and they finally make our list of teams who represent value. With six draws in their last eight games, they finally seem to have found at least some respite from the defeats which have been coming at them week after week, and might finally be ready to win.

Bolton are in all sorts of trouble off the field - court appearances, threat of stadium closure, whilst on the park it's not much better - 10 defeats in their last 13 matches, and their expected goals lately have been horrific.

At 2/1 Ipswich are worth chancing this weekend to get their fourth win of the season.

1pt Ipswich to beat Bolton at 2/1 (Bet365)

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Preston take on Sheffield United and it's looking increasingly unlikely that the Blades will win the Yorkshire battle to finish 2nd behind Norwich. They let down a lot of acca punters on Saturday as they lost 3-2 to an out-of-shape Bristol City, and they could be the coupon villains again this week.

Preston have recovered strongly after a poor start to the season, and are now among the group of late-starters lurking behind the play-off spots - just three points behind Aston Villa now. Having lost just three times at Deepdale this season, and on a run which has seen them lose just once in 13 matches they have to be a genuine danger.

The record is almost identical to that of Sheffield United - who have lost just once in 11, but there is enough to suggest Preston shouldnt be as long as 23/10 (UniBet and Bet Victor) in this one.

1pt Preston to beat Sheffield United at 23/10 (UniBet or Bet Victor)

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