*All odds in copy correct at time of publication and they’re always bang on with our clever betting banners.
Bristol City v Watford: Draw
Two of the Championship’s early promotion contenders face off at Ashton Gate on Wednesday night in front of the Sky Sports cameras. Bristol City are third in the second tier with 23 points from 12 games and a record of seven wins, two draws and three losses. Watford are fifth with a point fewer than The Robins from 12 played with six wins, four draws and two defeats.
City have recovered from a shaky run of five league games without a win to pick up nine points from the last nine on offer. Generally, they’ve been pretty good at home – other than in that poor run of form at the end of October.
Wednesday 7.45pm: Bristol City v Watford
Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football
Watford have been tearing it up on home soil but have found it tougher on the road. They’ve won five and drawn one at Vicarage Road while losing two, drawing three and winning just once away from home. Bristol City might be expected to capitalise on this and take the points on Wednesday night, but the recent spate of COVID-19 cases at the club will have hampered their preparation and cohesion.
That COVID-19 factor will play into Watford’s hands, but their poor away form and City’s good home showings are pointing us in the direction of a stalemate. Watford don’t tend to go for it on the road and they don’t need to, given how effective they’ve been at home. This may be a case of Bristol City being happy to take the Draw against a good side as they get themselves back to their peak – and you can bet The Hornets will be delighted to do likewise.
Swansea v Sheffield Wednesday: Under 1.5 Goals
Tony Pulis is back in management and that can only mean one thing: Sheffield Wednesday are on course for a comfortable mid-table finish. The wily old campaigner has replaced Garry Monk in the hot seat at Hillsborough to fulfil their one and only realistic objective this season, survival.
For their hosts on Wednesday night, Swansea, it’s a different brief for their players under Steve Cooper as they continue to try and forge a route back to the Premier League. They’re making good progress towards this goal and sit fourth with 22 points from 12 games which ended in six wins, four draws and two defeats.
Wednesday 7.45pm: Swansea v Sheffield Wednesday
Sky Sports Arena
Wednesday’s points deduction has obviously made life harder for them and they’re 23rd with just six points in the bag – the same number their pre-season 12-point penalty was recently reduced by. They’ve won three, drawn three and lost six. Now Pulis is in position the glaringly obvious path to follow is that this is going to be a tight, probably dull, and certainly defensive affair – from the visitors, at least.
Under 1.5 Goals offers great value and has come off in five of The Owls’ last six games. It’s hard to see that not becoming six in seven. It landed in Pulis’ debut at the weekend where they lost 1-0 to Preston and had a man sent off. Swansea have only been averaging 1.75 goals per game this season and we’re not expecting that to dramatically improve against The Owls on Wednesday.
Tips for Wednesday’s Championship clashes
Bristol City v Watford: Draw
Swansea v Sheffield Wednesday: Under 1.5 Goals
These two selections in a double will give you odds of around 8/1 with Paddy Power.
*All odds in copy correct at time of publication and they’re always bang on with our clever betting banners.
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