*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
Saturday sees an interesting quirk in The Championship as the 24 sides embark on the first round of return legs as we head into the second half of the season. And, for some reason known only to the magical fixture computer, we get the return fixtures of a game week which took place just a month ago.
12.30pm: Middlesbrough v Birmingham – Boro to Win To Nil
Given how recently these sides faced off we’ve got plenty of fresh information to worth with and in Middlesbrough and Birmingham’s case we saw a resounding 4-1 win for the Boro down at St Andrew’s on December 19th. Boro have risen to 7th in The Championship after 22 games and 36 points from 10 wins, six draws and six defeats under Neil Warnock.
Birmingham are badly on the slide and Aitor Karanka is rightly worried about his job. They’re 19th with 23 points from 23 games and five wins, eight draws and 10 losses. The Blues have taken a paltry one point from their last six games. Boro, on the other hand, are in good form and have won four of their last five, losing just the once to a revitalised Sheffield Wednesday.
Saturday 12.30pm: Middlesbrough v Birmingham
Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football
Everything is pointing towards a Middlesbrough Win in this contest but Paddy’s traders know that as well so we’re not going to take that on as I think I’ve found a route with much better value. To juice up the price in our double for Saturday’s Championship matches it’s worth backing Middlesbrough to Win to Nil.
Warnock’s men have been miserly at home over their last four, winning all of them with three coming To Nil. Birmingham have fired a blank in their last three games so everything considered, Middlesbrough to Win to Nil feels like a good way to kick off another bumper Saturday of action.
7.45pm: Barnsley v Swansea – Swansea to Win
This will also be the second time these two have met in the league this season and it was Swansea who triumphed last time with a 2-0 win over Barnsley in South Wales back in December. That was a rare recent loss for The Tykes – but it does fit into a pattern that has emerged over their recent good run.
They’re 9th in the second tier with 34 points from 10 wins, four draws and nine losses. Swansea are flying high in 2nd with 43 points with 12 wins, seven draws and four defeats. Barnsley are on a great run and have won six of their last nine, losing the other three.
Saturday 7.45pm: Barnsley v Swansea
Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football
The key in this contest is who they’ve lost to. Some of the league’s lesser lights have been swept aside but Norwich (1st), Swansea (2nd) and Bournemouth (3rd) have all taken the three points when facing Barnsley over the last nine.
There is no doubt Valerien Ismael has improved Barnsley a huge amount, but they have fallen short time and time again when facing the very best in the league and that’s what they’re up against on Saturday evening. Swansea’s recent form is good with 13 points taken from the last 15 on offer and we’re backing them to do the double over the Yorkshire side and record a Swansea Win.
Saturday’s Championship TV double
12.30pm: Middlesbrough v Birmingham – Middlesbrough To Win To Nil
7.45pm: Barnsley v Swansea – Swansea to Win
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
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