* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
8.15pm: Bournemouth v Rotherham
Wednesday’s televised Championship game sees two teams at a crossroads going head to head. Bournemouth are 6th in the second tier and have 46 points from 29 games but they’ve recently sacked their manager and are now under the caretaker charge of Jonathan Woodgate and Harry Redknapp.
Rotherham have been doing OK recently but are still flirting with relegation and are 21st after 27 games with 29 points in their back pocket. They’ve won four of their last seven games while their hosts on Wednesday have won just once, losing four and drawing two over the same period.
Wednesday 8.15pm: Bournemouth v Rotherham
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Looking at the league table you’d think this would be a straightforward home win, but there’s nothing straightforward about this match up. With plenty of ponder, here’s your three best bets for Bournemouth v Rotherham on Wednesday night.
Short-price punt: Over 2.5 Goals
Bournemouth might have played out a drab 0-0 draw against lowly Nottingham Forest last time out, but that was the first time in three games which there had been fewer than three goals in the game. Over the last five they’ve witnessed 13 goals at an average of 2.6 per match.
For Rotherham you have to go back to the middle of January for the last time Under 2.5 goals landed in one of their league games. The last five times they’ve taken to the pitch there have been an average of 3.2 goals per game.
Those two numbers combined gives us an average of 2.9 goals per game between these two over the last five. With quite a bit of uncertainty surrounding this fixture, backing Over 2.5 Goals feels the safest play.
Value Play: Rotherham to Win
Rotherham sit 20th in the season-long away form table while Bournemouth are 5th in the home equivalent. On the face of it there is no value in backing the away win here, but if we dig a little deeper that perception is soon turned on its head.
Three of the improving Rotherham’s last four wins have come on the road while Bournemouth have won just one of their last four home league games – against second-bottom Birmingham. I have a suspicion that this game will end in a Draw, which is a healthy price in itself but, based on the two lines of form and at the longer price, I’ll tip up the Rotherham Win as the value play in this game.
Long Shot: Rotherham and Over 3.5 Goals
This could be a really good game and if it is it will probably be down to Rotherham who seem to have decided to outscore their opponents in a bid to preserve their Championship status. There have been four or more goals in two of their last six while Bournemouth boast an identical record in that respect.
Woodgate’s side failed to register a shot on target last time out against a safety-first Forest side which is a concern, but the fact there were five goals in their last home game gives us hope. But, with everything considered, Rotherham to Win and Over 3.5 Goals is a punt that should be a double-digit price and keep you entertained right up until the final whistle in this one.
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Wednesday’s EFL acca
There’s eight other EFL games taking place on Wednesday night with plenty of appealing value on offer across the Championship, League One and League Two. So, if you fancy having a midweek EFL flutter, here’s some selections for you to consider.
5pm: Mansfield v Bolton – Mansfield to Win
When this League Two game was postponed on its original date Mansfield were on a five game winning run and Bolton had won just once in their last eight fixtures. Both have played twice in the league since the February 2nd postponement and both are undefeated.
The Stags have now played four away games on the bounce and will be desperate to get back on home soil. The Totters have played three home games in a row and might be dreading an away day as their form on the road is not great recently. This will be tight but Mansfield are in remarkable form and they haven’t lost this calendar year so I’ll be on a home win in this one.
5.30pm: Wigan v Hull – Hull to win
Hull are in shaky form but, in Wigan, they will have few better opportunities to rediscover their mojo. The Tigers are still second in League One but have won just one of their last five league fixtures.
Wigan have the same record but have lost their other four games and are 22nd in the third tier. Grant McCann’s men are too good to stay in their current slump for much longer and I’m expecting a Hull Win against crisis-club Wigan.
7pm: Coventry v Norwich – Norwich to Win
Championship table toppers Norwich are a really good price to triumph over 20th-placed Coventry on Wednesday. The Canaries do have to make the trip west, but that shouldn’t be too much of a concern for the Championship’s second-best away team.
Coventry are OK at home but The Canaries have won more points on their travels than the Sky Blues have at St Andrew’s this term. Daniel Farke’s folk returned to winning ways at the weekend and you have to be with a Norwich Win this midweek.
7pm: Swansea v Nottingham Forest – Swansea to Win
Nottingham Forest are definitely improving – in terms of their results, at least. They’re unbeaten in four games but face a tough assignment in the shape of the Championship’s 3rd-placed team, Swansea City, next up.
The Swans have only failed to win twice in their last eight and last lost nine games back. Forest’s decent recent record is bumping the hosts’ price up here but at around even money for Swansea to Win at home this selection is an absolute must on Wednesday.
Tips for Wednesday
8.15pm: Bournemouth v Rotherham
Short-price punt: Over 2.5 Goals
Value Play: Rotherham to Win
Long Shot: Rotherham and Over 3.5 Goals
EFL acca
5pm: Mansfield v Bolton – Mansfield to Win
5.30pm: Wigan v Hull – Hull to Win
7pm: Coventry v Norwich – Norwich to Win
7pm: Swansea v Nottingham Forest – Swansea to Win
These selections in an acca-insured 4-foldwill give you odds of around 13/1 with Paddy Power.
ACCA INSURANCE
If one leg of your 4+ fold Acca lets you down, you get up to £/€10 back as a free bet. Customers can qualify for 1 Acca Insurance per day up to £/€10. The free bets will be credited by 12pm the following day.
* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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