While the FA Cup First Round takes centre stage this week for both League One and League Two, we still have a full slate of EFL Championship fixtures, and Matthew O’Regan has his best bets.
EFL Saturday Betting Tips
12:30 – Oxford United v Swansea City – Ronald to commit 1+ fouls, Peter Kioso to commit 1+ fouls, Under 3.5 goals
12:30 – Blackburn Rovers v Sheffield United – Lewis Travis to commit 2+ fouls, Vinicius Souza to commit 2+ fouls
15:00 – Cardiff City v Norwich City – Under 2.5 goals
15:00 – QPR v Sunderland – Sunderland to win
Oxford v Swansea City – Ronald to commit 1+ fouls, Peter Kioso to commit 1+ fouls, Under 3.5 goals
EFL Championship match at the Kassam Stadium
TV: Sky Sports+, 12:30
Oxford United host Swansea City at the Kassam Stadium in one of three early kick-offs.
The U’s are back in the Championship for the first time in 25 years, and have started strongly, currently sitting in 14th place. Des Buckingham’s side have won three, drawn five and lost four of their 12 games so far, with 15 goals scored and 15 conceded.
Those 12 games have averaged 2.5 goals each, but five of their last six have seen under 3.5 goals actually scored between both teams.
Luke Williams was appointed as Swansea boss in January after leading Notts County to promotion from the National League. Notts County were potent in front of goal under Williams – scoring 117 goals.
This free-flowing attacking football was promised at Swansea, but it has yet to materialise in South Wales. The Swans are the lowest scorers in the league with just eight goals scored, while also failing to score in any of their last five games.
Swansea have also conceded just eight goals, with their games averaging a measly 1.33 goals. They are the only team in the league who have seen under 3.5 goals land in every game.
Peter Kioso was signed in the summer from Rotherham and has made the right-back berth his own. The 25-year-old averages 1.22 fouls per 90, making a foul in nine of 11 of his starts. In addition, every right-back against Swansea this season has made at least one foul.
Ronald has had a tough start to his Swansea career with just one goal contribution in 11 starts this year. His trickery and endeavour cannot be questioned, though, winning 1.54 tackles per game and making 1.12 fouls per 90. The Brazilian has made a foul in all bar two starts this season.
Blackburn v Sheffield United – Lewis Travis to commit 2+ fouls, Vini Souza to commit 2+ fouls
EFL Championship match at Ewood Park, Blackburn
TV: Sky Sports+, 12:30
Former Premier League champions Blackburn Rovers host recently relegated Sheffield United at Ewood Park.
After John Eustace was harshly sacked at Birmingham, he was appointed as the new manager of Blackburn and has started steadily, with his side sitting just inside the playoff places.
Lewis Travis has been a mainstay in the team, starting all 12 games so far. Ever since breaking into the side seven years ago, Travis has adorned himself with the Rovers’ faithful, and his tenacity is a real stand out.
While the 27-year-old has only made 1.56 fouls per 90 this season, he’s developed a reputation for being a foul machine, making at least two fouls in his last four matches.
Sheffield United have started their first season back in the Championship strongly, sitting in fourth place. Chris Wilder’s side boast the second-best defensive record in the league, conceding just six goals.
Vinicius Souza was signed last year from Espanyol but failed to make much impact in his 29 starts. The Brazilian is now a key cog in the Blades midfield, starting every game bar the one he missed for suspension.
The 25-year-old is averaging 2.48 fouls and 0.55 yellows per 90, making at least two fouls in eight out of 11 games.
Cardiff City v Norwich City – Under 2.5 goals
EFL Championship match at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff
Cardiff started the season in dire straits, picking up just one point in their opening seven games. Erol Bulut was dismissed as manager, with Omer Rizza appointed as interim boss.
The Bluebirds have performed well under his stewardship and are unbeaten in five games, conceding just once in that time. The newfound defensive resilience will delight Cardiff fans, as they struggle going forward, with only rivals Swansea scoring fewer goals.
Their 12 games have seen 29 goals for an average of 2.4 per game.
Norwich parted ways with manager David Wagner after defeat to Leeds in last season’s playoff semi-finals. The exciting Johannes Hoff Thorup was appointed as the new manager, and the 35-year-old has his side in eighth place.
The Canaries have scored 22 goals and conceded 16, with their games averaging 3.16 goals. However, of their six away games, four have seen under 2.5 goals.
Playing a rejuvenated Cardiff, who are putting extra emphasis on defence, Norwich could be in for another low-scoring away game.
QPR v Sunderland – Sunderland to win
EFL Championship match at Loftus Road, London
15:00
QPR looked destined for the drop last year before flamboyant manager Gareth Ainsworth was replaced by Marti Cifuentes. The Spaniard reinvigorated the stagnant club and kept them up comfortably.
However, this season is showing shades of last year’s struggles, with the R’s currently 23rd in the league, with only one win to their name.
Cifuentes’ side are winless at Loftus Road, even losing to bottom-of-the-league Portsmouth.
At the other end of the table are Sunderland, who sit five points clear at the top of the table. Last season was a tumultuous one for the Black Cats, eventually finishing 16th after a string of managerial changes.
The appointment of Regis Le Bris was seen as a coup, and the Frenchman is living up to his reputation, with his youthful team playing exciting football.
Sunderland boasts the best away record in the league and travel to face the side with the joint worst home record, so the value certainly lies with the visitors.
EFL Saturday Betting Tips
12:30 – Oxford United v Swansea City – Ronald to commit 1+ fouls, Peter Kioso to commit 1+ fouls, Under 3.5 goals
12:30 – Blackburn Rovers v Sheffield United – Lewis Travis to commit 2+ fouls, Vinicius Souza to commit 2+ fouls
15:00 – Cardiff City v Norwich City – Under 2.5 goals
15:00 – QPR v Sunderland – Sunderland to win
- If you fancy putting these four games into a Bet Builder, it pays out at a whopping 23/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
*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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