Nottingham Forest v Fulham: Draw
Tuesday 17:00
These two could very well face off in the Play-Offs in a few weeks’ time, but both require at least two more wins to assure themselves of a place in the top six. Of the two, Forest will be more desperate for a win after yet another late defensive lapse against Derby on Saturday.
That is twice since football restarted – and four times this season – that Forest have conceded stoppage time equalisers in crucial games. Add in late levellers at home to Reading and Middlesbrough that weren’t quite in stoppage time and the trend becomes alarming.
The Reds have dropped 12 points in the latter stages of games, a costly record that has prevented them for launching an assault on the Championship summit.
Fulham, on the other hand, have been lacklustre since the Championship resumed and were convincingly beaten in their two games against promotion-chasing sides. Those defeats have seen Fulham slip out of automatic contention and their unconvincing wins against lowly QPR and Birmingham will not inspire confidence heading into the Play-Offs.
Fulham have a truly dismal record against the current top six, with only a home win against Leeds to their name. They have a chance to better that on Tuesday, but Forest have looked tough to beat since the restart and have a terrific record against the top six.
Brentford v Charlton: Brentford (-1)
Tuesday 18:00
Charlton’s fine run of form since the restart came to a halt with a defeat at home to Millwall on Friday night and they will struggle to return to winning ways at Brentford.
The Bees have the bit between their teeth and seem to have their sights firmly set on second placed West Brom. In the four games since football resumed, Brentford have won four, scored nine, and conceded none.
Charlton conceded their first goal since the restart on Friday, and will find that defensive record under further scrutiny on Tuesday. At the other end, goals seemed to have dried up for the Addicks, who have only scored twice in four games, despite picking up seven points.
Coming up against a Brentford side that boasts the division’s best attack and defence, it doesn’t bode well for the relegation-threatened side and it should be yet another comfortable win for The Bees.
Luton v Barnsley: Luton to win
Tuesday 18:00
This is the very definition of a relegation six-pointer; whoever loses this one can start to prepare for life in the League 1.
Both sides had given their survival chances a real shot in the arm in the first three games since the restart before each side recorded equally terrible and confusing results.
Bottom side Luton had picked up five points in three games against Preston, Swansea, and Leeds, a very credible run of results against three sides with Premier League ambitions. To then lose 5-0 at home to a Reading side that has literally nothing to play for will be very difficult to stomach.
Barnsley, on the other hand, had picked up seven points without conceding a goal before going down 4-0 to relegation-threatened Stoke at the weekend. A defeat for either side will leave them at least four points from safety with four games to go and survival would become increasingly unlikely.
Their contrary runs of form make this one difficult to predict, but Luton have played better teams than Barnsley since the restart and their form is more impressive as a result.
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Championship tips summary:
Nottingham Forest v Fulham: Draw
Brentford v Charlton: Brentford (-1)
Luton v Barnsley: Luton to win
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